Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 425 NW Market ST NW / Parcel ID 0475000005 / Inv # BA002

Historic Name: I.G.A.Store Common Name: Le Gourmand Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Greenwood/Phinney Built By: Year Built: 1926   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. This is an intact and relatively ornate example of a corner grocery store, once a very common feature of every Seattle neighborhood (425 NW Market St and 5416 6th Ave NW). The stand-alone store along a trolley line was typical of the 1920s, when Seattle neighborhoods expanded significantly. This store was an early member of IGA, a local grocers cooperative that allowed individual store owners to join together to purchase goods at competitive prices. The building is unusually elegant, with a corner entry topped with a gabled parapet and cast stone ornamentation. It has been used as a restaurant for many years.   Appearance This small rectangular building is clad in yellowish tan brick, with decorative brickwork. The building is surrounded by heavy vegetation but appears to be largely intact. The entry is at the corner, with a gabled parapet and a cast stone shield. Original display windows with intact transoms flank the entry; they are covered with bamboo screens to shade the interior restaurant space. The wood-and-glass door also appears to be original. On the west side is a small wood-clad building once used as a barbershop and now used as support space for the restaurant. It is surrounded by a garden providing herbs and other produce for the restaurant.

Detail for 425 NW Market ST NW / Parcel ID 0475000005 / Inv # BA002

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Block Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Specialty store Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Commerce Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 425 NW Market ST NW / Parcel ID 0475000005 / Inv # BA002

Photo taken Aug 23, 2001