This commercial building was constructed in 1952. It originally housed William H. Gore Company Steel Shelving (Polk 1953). By 1960 it was the location of The Glidden Company Wholesale Paints, which inhabited the building until at least 1970 (Polk 1965, 1970). It is currently vacant.
This building was constructed during the post-World War II era,which was an important period of industrial, commercial and warehouse development in the South Lake Union area. It displays characteristics of the Mid-Century Modern or simply Modern style. The Modern style grew out of construction techniques and materials technologies that developed during and immediately after World War II in response to the need to build economical and easily assembled structures. While these techniques were initially used in the construction of military and mass housing structures, they quickly spread to other building types. Characteristics of Modern commercial vernacular buildings during the 1940s,1950s and 1960s include modular building systemswith cladding materials that could be pre-fabricated and assembled on-site.Common cladding materials included brick (frequently Roman brick), formed concrete, simulated stone, aluminum, Vitrolite (opaque glass), glass block, and small mosaic tile. Modern commercial storefronts often featured an “open front”design, which celebrated the display window as the most prominent storefront element in contrast to earlier storefront designs which placed more emphasis on the wall that framed the windows. Windows were typically plate glass with narrow aluminum frames. Plate glass afforded large, uninterrupted expanses of windows that could extend from floor to ceiling, ideal for displaying merchandise. Storefront bulkheads and enframements were commonly clad in brick, stone, or tile.
Although this building remains largely intact with slight alterations to its windows, it does not exhibit any noteworthy architectural details nor is it significant for historical association.
Bibliographical References:
Polk, R.L.
1953 City Directory of Seattle. R. L. Polk &Co., Seattle
1965 City Directory of Seattle. R. L. Polk &Co., Seattle
1970 City Directory of Seattle. R. L. Polk &Co., Seattle
Jackson, Mike, FAIA. “Storefronts of Tomorrow.” Preserving theRecent Past 2. Eds. Deborah Slaton and William G. Foulks. Washington DC:Historic Preservation Education Foundation, National Park Service, Associationfor Preservation Technology, 200. 57-65.
