| Historic Name: |
Flemington, The |
Common Name: |
The Capitol Building |
| Style: |
Beaux Arts - Neoclassical |
Neighborhood: |
Capitol Hill |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1924 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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This imposing structure lends presence to an important corner in the Broadway business district. It is the tallest building in the vicinity, and one of the few mixed-use apartment commercial buildings on Broadway. Broadway was the heart of Capitol Hill, and one of the city's most prestigious shopping areas by the 1920s. It is also unusually ornate for the district, with extensive terra cotta ornament. The Flemington was built for owner J. Fleming in 1924. No architect is listed on the building permit, only A. F. Mowat, the contractor, and Hall & Stevenson, engineers. One of the most popular tenants was the Manning-Marriatt Coffee Store, Restaurant and Bakery--later known as Manning's cafeterias. A wide variety of small service and retail businesses, such as beauty shops, barbers and cleaners have also been in the building. This building has been determined eligible for the National Register under Criterion C.
This vicinity on Broadway was one of the first sections of Capitol Hill to develop. It was platted by David T. Denny, the trustee for the estate of John Nagle, who filed the donation claim for the area. In 1891 a streetcar line was extended from James Street, running north on Broadway (one block east of this site) to the city limits at E. Lynn Street, with direct service to downtown added on Pike Street in 1901. Another major impetus to local development was the 1903 completion of Seattle (later Broadway) High School, the city’s first modern high school, which was located at the corner of Broadway and E. Pine Street. Students came from throughout Seattle and even from across Lake Washington to attend. Broadway, already an important street, flourished with new businesses, especially those catering to students, such as sandwich shops. By 1910 the area was largely developed, with small commercial buildings, numerous apartment buildings and single family homes. Further apartment and commercial development occurred in the 1920s, when the Broadway district boomed to become one of the city’s premier shopping venues.
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| Appearance |
This five story building is clad in red brick, with a terra cotta balustrade above the cornice. The pilasters pierce the cornice, with terra cotta caps and ornamental medallions with a fruit motif. Windows are newer double-hung sash with false muntins in the upper section; sills are of terra cotta. A terra cotta belt course runs above the storefronts and also connects the sills of the top floor windows; the top floor also has fruit medallions between each window bay. Each story has rosettes indicating seismic upgrades. The entire entry bay on the south elevation is clad with beige terra cotta, with a keystone at the top and a shield medallion with an elaborate fruit ornament between the third and fourth floors. The original double-leaf entry doors are of oak and glass with brass hardware and kick plate. The steps and walls of the entry alcove are marble. The doorway is flanked by large acanthus brackets. The storefronts have been modernized with new doors and display windows, but a few retain some original elements such as tile bulkheads and transoms.
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Brick |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Flat with Parapet |
Roof Material(s): |
Unknown |
| Building Type: |
Domestic - Multiple Family |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
| Structural System: |
Brick |
No. of Stories: |
five |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Slight |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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Williams, Jacqueline B. The Hill with a Future: Seattle's Capitol Hill 1900-1946. Seattle: CPK Ink, 2001.
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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