Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 5601-5607 University WAY / Parcel ID 0825049090 / Inv # UD004

Historic Name: Maxwell Building Common Name: Style: Commercial Neighborhood: University Built By: E.C. Rising, architect Year Built: 1921   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The architect E.C. Rising built the Maxwell Building for J.L. Maxwell in 1925. The Cowen Park Garage originally occupied the Maxwell Building. This building is a relatively intact example of an early automotive building on University Way. The architect Eric C. Rising was born in Stockholm, Sweden and moved to the United States around 1900. He received his architectural degree from the Pratt Institute in New York City. While working in New York City he helped to design the steel structure of Yankee Stadium. Rising moved to Seattle in 1920, where in 1923 he worked on the structural design of the Dexter Horton Building. Rising was the architect for many Seattle buildings, including the Mayflower Hotel and the Carol and Roberta Apartment buildings. Eric C. Rising retired from the architectural firm Naramore Bain Brady & Johanson in 1979.   Appearance This single story brick building masonry building was built primarily as a garage, but includes several other storefronts. Although the main storefront windows have been changed, the transom windows remain intact. The entablature is intact and includes decorative terra cotta medallions. A carriage porch or carport remains intact on the southeast corner.

Detail for 5601-5607 University WAY / Parcel ID 0825049090 / Inv # UD004

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Block Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Other Building Type: Transportation - Road- Related Plan: Irregular Structural System: Masonry - Unreinforced No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Transportation Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Storefront: 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. "Designer Eric Rising dies at 95." Seattle Times, November 21, 1987.

Photo collection for 5601-5607 University WAY / Parcel ID 0825049090 / Inv # UD004

Photo taken Oct 12, 2001