Seattle Historical Sites

 Although not entirely distinguished from an architectural point of view, this is a typical industrial building. Signature features include the masonry exterior walls, the curved roof over bow trusses, industrial sash and plate glass set in metal frame. Although used for utilitarian purposes, it has kept many of its original architectural features and fabric. E. G. Putnam-John I. Mattson, Engineers and Architects, designed it as a warehouse for the Cummins Diesel Sales Corporation and for owners Joseph and Andrew Bakun and “Antone” (sic) Althoff. The building was completed in 1951. Although the building was remodeled in 1968, this apparently did not much affect the two main western and southern elevations. At that time, Cummins Diesel Sales was still in the building and remained there until at least 1974. By 1980, Tire Systems Incorporated was listed at this address. As of this writing, the building is vacant and apparently scheduled for demolition. The Phelps Tire Company previously occupied the building.

This one story building is located on the east side of Airport Way South, between Lander and Bayview Streets. It has mainly concrete exterior walls and a curved roof, set over repeated wooden bow trusses. The main façade is visually divided into two. The north side has large paired openings filled with multi-pane steel sash. The south side has an entry that is set back from the southwest corner of the building, which is marked by a partially free-standing pier. Glazing consists of long rectangles of plate glass, usually separated by thin metal mullions. On the south elevation, aside from the entry bay, the following four bays are marked by glazing, organized in rows of four. The first of these consists four longer rectangles of fixed plate glass. In the next three bays, the arrangement is similar, but a smaller (formerly?) operable window is set above each of the two inner panes of glass. The last bay is similar, but includes a central glazed doorway. Based on original drawings, most of the elements described, including the odd division on the main façade, are original.

A subsequent addition, not shown in the original drawings, was made and is presented in the south façade. After the doorway, the elevation is extended with two sets of steel sash glazing, followed by five service doors.