Seattle.gov Home Page
Link to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods home page

Seattle Historical Sites

New Search

Summary for 5200 DENVER AVE / Parcel ID 5084400070 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Hazel Atlas Glass Company/ Olympic Foundry Common Name: Georgetown Brewing Company
Style: Modern, Other - Industrial Neighborhood: Duwamish
Built By: Year Built: 1954
 
Significance

Plat: Mapels Addition, Block: 2, Lot: Portion

This altered box-like building has retained its basic structure and shape, but had few window openings to begin with. Architect Raymond Peck initially designed it as a warehouse, with offices and related areas located at the northwest corner of the building, for the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. It was built between1954 and 1955. Changes have often been made to the northwest corner, which originally contained the offices, a display area, bathrooms and a utility room. Although altered and not that architecturally significant, the building is a good example of industrial buildings of its time, particularly in the use of tilt-up concrete panels and the triple series of bow trusses. Between 1964 and 1965, architect James H. Taylor designed a remodel of the northwest corner, when the building was part of the Charles Lilly Property. By 1974, the Olympic Foundry occupied the building. Local directories suggest that it remained until at least the late 1980s. During this period, in 1987, the northwest corner was altered to include a new locker room and shower. By 2008, the Georgetown Brewing Company took over the building and added the present grain silos and related equipment to the north on Denver Avenue South.

 
Appearance

This tall one-story building is located on the east side of Denver Avenue South, south of Dawson Street. The walls are of concrete, which are mostly tilt-up concrete panels. The plan is almost rectangular, although, the east elevation was designed in the shape of a shallow compound curve, so that the north elevation is 8 bays in length and the south elevation is 9 bays in length. Aside from this irregularity, the interior of the plan was designed with a regular grid of columns, organized into three bays, in the north-south direction, parallel to the main elevation. The roof of the building is supported by a triple series of bow trusses, which are supported by the columns of these three bays. The three curved shapes are visible above the building parapet and the main façade, which is the most important elevation. The main facade faces west along Denver Avenue South. It has only three window openings, which do not particularly contribute to the overall character of the exterior.

The northwest corner of the building has also been cut away and reveals two horizontal steel sections, which have been left exposed and are supported on a steel section, acting as a column. In particular, the steel section, which is in line with the façade extends out past the exposed steel column. These elements are clearly part of a recent remodel. A ramp set within a covered passage is set to the north of the building and close to a number of grain silos added in the late 2000s for the Georgetown Brewery, which now operates out of the building.

Detail for 5200 DENVER AVE / Parcel ID 5084400070 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status: INV
Cladding(s): Concrete, Metal Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet, Other, Varied roof lines Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition
Building Type: Industry/Processing/Extraction - Manufacturing Plan: Irregular
Structural System: Mixed No. of Stories: one
Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Manufacturing/Industry
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Moderate
Changes to Original Cladding: Moderate
Changes to Windows: Moderate
Major Bibliographic References
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
Drawings, Microfiche Files, Department of Planning and Development.

Photo collection for 5200 DENVER AVE / Parcel ID 5084400070 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Mar 07, 2010
App v2.0.1.0