Summary for 2018-2022 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228501720 / Inv # CA015 |
Historic Name: |
Jones' Dairy |
Common Name: |
Union Place |
Style: |
Art Deco |
Neighborhood: |
Central Area |
Built By: |
Earle Morrison |
Year Built: |
1930 |
|
Significance |
|
This building is significant as perhaps the only pre-World War II auto showroom in the Central/Southeast area. It was erected in 1930 for P. N. Irwin, who opened an auto dealership and garage here, one of few such businesses south of downtown Seattle. There was a showroom in front with large display windows, a separate office in the eastern corner, and a service garage in the rear. However, opening in the Depression, the dealership lasted only a short time. In 1934 and again in 1947 the building was altered for Jones Dairy Products, with a retail store in front and areas for pasteurization, bottle washing and truck loading in the rear. In 1970 the store was again remodeled for a carpet and appliance store; a partial second floor was added at that time. In the 1970s it was used by a variety of social service agencies, including a senior center. It now has a variety of retail uses and an outreach program of Seattle Central Community college.
The building is also notable for its art Deco detailing. The architect was Earl Morrison, well known for Modernistic and Art Deco buildings in the 1920s-40s. He began his practice in Spokane, arriving in Seattle in 1926. He was particularly well known for his apartment and commercial buildings, including Olive Tower on Boren Avenue and the Textile Tower (Tower Building) on Seventh Avenue. He died in 1955.
|
|
|
Appearance |
This rectangular structure of solid brick has a prominent corner entry with an arrow-shaped parapet and matching window muntins in the large transom. The original showroom display windows remain, but are covered over. Pilasters have an Art Deco-style arrow detail executed in brick and red terra cotta. The east elevation has large metal industrial sash and a large garage door; one of the window bays has been filled in. Intact industrial sash is also found on the south and west elevations. |
|
|
Detail for 2018-2022 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228501720 / Inv # CA015 |
Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
|
Cladding(s): |
Brick |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
Roof Type(s): |
Flat |
Roof Material(s): |
Unknown |
Building Type: |
Commercial/Trade - Specialty store |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
Structural System: |
Masonry - Unreinforced |
No. of Stories: |
one |
Unit Theme(s): |
Commerce |
Integrity |
Changes to Plan: |
Slight |
Changes to Windows: |
Extensive |
Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
|
Major Bibliographic References |
City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
|
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
|
Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
|
Ochsner, Jeffrey Karl, ed. Shaping Seattle Architecture, A Historical Guide to the Architects. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994.
|
|
|
Photo collection for 2018-2022 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228501720 / Inv # CA015 |

Photo taken Sep 06, 2001
|