Seattle Historical Sites

This building was built for Star Machinery in 1953.  At the time of completion, a large sign for “STAR MACHINERY” ran across the top of the lower portion of the Lander Street elevation. Although glazing may have been replaced, based on original photos, if this is the case, the original glazing patterns have been retained. Another change occurred at the entry on the east elevation, where a new entrance, including a basic wooden stair, appears to have been added. In general, the building appears to have retained a good degree of integrity. It is also a good example of 1950s International Style Modernism.

241 S Lander Street is located on the south side of South Lander Street, a major thoroughfare, and between 3^rd Avenue South and the railroad right of way, east of Occidental Avenue South. Slightly irregular in plan, it includes one story and two story portions. Its long Lander Street elevation is distinguished by eight large bays of glazing, separated by narrower areas of brick cladding. Each of the glazed areas consists of nine large glass panes, arranged in vertical and horizontal rows of three. The eight tall one-story bays are topped by a deep concrete band, which has typically been used for signage. The “Pacific Galleries Antique Mall” sign is now set in this area, just a sign for “STAR MACHINERY” appeared there in 1953. To the east of the eight bays, a two story “box,”framed in concrete rises slightly above the lower bar. It is divided into three bays by two-story concrete pilasters. At the second level, each of the bays, which are clad in brick, has a series of three windows, set in aluminum frames that span between the concrete pilasters. At the first level, there is one wide rectangular window per bay.

Unlike the Lander Street façade, the east elevation has no brick cladding. The elevation begins with a large entry area, also set back into a concrete frame. Most of the actual elevation in this area is glass, including two bays, divided into two levels of glazing at the second level.  Nine two-story glazed bays, set between shallow concrete pilasters, follow. At both levels the glazing extends between the pilasters and is divided into three panes. The tenth bay on the south end of the elevation has no openings.

Both the western end of the Lander St elevation and the western elevation are more utilitarian in design and incorporate garage entries and other service entrances. In general, though, the western elevation, which is clad in unadorned concrete, has few openings, except for a band of windows not far below the parapet level.