Seattle Historical Sites

This one story warehouse building, whose address was formerly “87 Holgate,” was built in 1938. A typical industrial building, it retains a significant amount of its original steel sash and its exterior walls. It also stands out because of its irregular shape and especially the chamfered apex set between Utah and Holgate Streets. Based on an original photo taken soon after its completion, it has retained its integrity. Despite this, an early note on the King County Tax Assessor’s record card noted  (probably in 1939): “Bldg. is cheaply constructed, particularly roof, will no doubt have trouble with leaks in time due to the long span.” As of 1931, John Moran was apparently the owner of the lot, which the building shares with two other less significant buildings from roughly the same period.

During the late 1930s, the building housed the MacWhyte Company, Manufacturers. By 1965, the firm was listed in Polk’s Seattle Directories as “MacWhyte Company, Wire Rope Manufacturers,” and shared the building with Pacific Wire Rope. The MacWhyte Company remained in the building at least until 1974. By late 1980s, the West Coast Paper Company occupied the building.

The northeast elevation, a primary one, includes three large storefront openings. In particular, the two storefront openings on the west side of the elevation include three sections of plate glass, topped at the transom level by two horizontal rows of multi-pane steel sash. Based on an early photo, these appear to be original. The main entry on the east side of the elevation includes a new double door, recessed between angled storefronts; however, the transom lights above are similar to those of the two other bays. The west elevation facing South Utah Street has exterior concrete cladding (if not wall), with large trabeated openings. These openings are filled with large expanses of (weathered) steel multi-pane sash.