Seattle Historical Sites

Plat: South Seattle Addition, Block: 9, Lots: 1-6

This building was formerly considered part of a complex of buildings with the address “4001 7^th Avenue South.” No original drawings appear to be available for this building. Based on the King County Tax Assessor’s Record Card, it dates from 1906. A simple building, it resembles many early buildings, which have masonry exterior walls and interior heavy timber construction, found in the Pioneer Square Historic District. The building seems to have been consistently used for industrial or light industrial uses. Assuming that the building dates from around 1906 or even perhaps before that time, the apparently original and intact windows on the Andover St façade are somewhat remarkable.  By 1936, the Seattle Brass Company occupied the building. At that time, a sign with the words “SEATTLE BRASS COMPANY” was painted across the face of the building, just above the first level of openings, on the 7^th Avenue South elevation. By 1964, Richards Brush Company advertised itself on the 7^th Avenue South elevation. By 1974, the Durable Plastic Company, which specialized the fabrication and manufacturing of plastics, occupied the building. The company remained at least until 1980 and apparently shared the building with the Proto Plastics Company, which also specialized in skylights. Currently, Davis Sign Company occupies the building.

There seems to be very little information concerning the adjoining wood building, which may also date from as early as 1906, although evidence is not entirely conclusive. A small plan on the King County Tax Assessor’s record card, as well as a photo, suggest that it was at the site by 1936. In general, it seems to have functioned as an addition to the masonry building. Its general appearance suggests that it has also been altered considerably.

The main building is a two-story building with exterior brick walls. It is located on the southwest corner of 7^th Avenue and Andover St. The plan is approximately 40 feet by 50 feet. The building has a flat roof and parapet, which includes subtle corbelling toward the top of its two main elevations. There is an important elevation along Andover St, which seems to be fairly intact. More changes have been made to the 7^th Avenue South elevation, although they are relatively minor. Both elevations have two levels of segmental openings, which are infilled with wood frame and double-hung windows.

The Andover St elevation has five openings at both levels. Double-hung windows are 12 over 12 multi-pane wood sash, with very thin muntins. The 7^th Avenue South elevation has a similar bay division and openings at the top level. Two windows have what appears to be original multi-pane sash, whereas the other two are 1 over 1 double-hung windows, most likely a replacement.  At the ground level, two segmental openings with glazing, located in the two right hand bays (north bays) were replaced in 1960 by a service doorway and overhead door. The central segmental doorway on this façade is lower than the top of the existing segmental window openings to the left or south side of the elevation. The doorway appears to be original, while the wood door is probably a replacement. The two northern segmental openings have 1 over 1 double-hung windows, which probably replaced original multi-pane sash.

The building adjoins a two-story frame building, sited to the west.  This building has an approximate footprint of 40 feet by 70 feet. The building exterior is characterized by wood siding, as well multi-pane double-hung windows at the second level of its longer elevation along Andover Street and on its west elevation. While the building has a flat roof and parapet, its west elevation has a low-pitched gable shape. The Andover Street elevation also has a small wooden porch with a pitched roof, which looks like a later addition.