| Historic Name: |
Westinghouse Electric Company |
Common Name: |
Gerry Manufacturing |
| Style: |
Art Deco - Streamline Moderne, Commercial |
Neighborhood: |
Pioneer Square |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1939 |
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| Significance |
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This 20,000 square foot industrial warehouse appears to have been constructed in 1939 by the Oregon & Washington Railroad, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad. S. Murray was the O & W engineer responsible for the construction plans. It is one of many warehouses constructed in the area by the railroad to lease to tenants interested in taking advantage of the nearby rail, marine and roadway transport connections for the distribution of goods. This building was originally used as a storage and freight handling warehouse for the Westinghouse Electric Company and continued in use by Westinghouse until the 1960s. More recently it was used as a manufacturing facility by Gerry Sportswear Corporation. Gerry Sporstwear produced down clothing and sporting gear for mountain sports. The corporation, founded by Gerry and Ann Cunningham, had originated in Colorado in 1946, but changed ownership several times and closed in 2007.
Located in the former Seattle
tidelands, it is associated with the later period of development of the area as
a significant transportation-related manufacturing and warehouse district. The
tidelands were filled through a series of successive grading and fill projects
between 1895 and 1929, creating developable land that made the expansion of
railroad and port facilities possible and fostering the development of the area
for commercial and industrial use that supported significant economic progress
of the city in the early 20th century. Its more recent associations are with Seattle's notable history in the production of outdoor clothing and equipment.
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| Appearance |
This large warehouse building measures 200 feet on the First Avenue S. elevation and is 100 feet deep. It is utilitarian, but has some Moderne detailing. The 1st Avenue S. facade is punctuated by vertical bands of aluminum windows with a mix of smaller six-light windows and tall windows with operable awnings. Windows on the first story have been covered by metal screens. A curved Moderne canopy and extensive glass block at the main entrance are typical of the period of construction. A secondary entry also has a curved canopy, but no glass block. The rear, west elevation was oriented to the railroad and has three loading bays. Windows on the second story are multipaned metal sash, while the windows on the first story have all been covered. At the south elevation are three loading doors and an entry at the southeast corner. The upper story windows are six-light metal sash. At the north elevation is a large loading dock with a curved canopy.The northwest corner of the building was clipped off in c. 1951 for the construction of a new rail spur.
Additional Sources:
-------“Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Project, Vol. 3:
Specialized Technical Information,” Seattle, WA:
Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.
August, 1996.
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Concrete, Glass - Glass Block, Stucco |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Flat with Parapet |
Roof Material(s): |
Asphalt/Composition |
| Building Type: |
Commercial/Trade - Warehouse |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
| Structural System: |
Concrete - Poured |
No. of Stories: |
two |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Commerce, Manufacturing/Industry |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Sheridan, Mimi. “SR 99: Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Historic Resources Inventory.” Draft, ca. 2004.
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