Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2936-2948 Eastlake AVE / Parcel ID 1959702575 / Inv # EA008

Historic Name: Allison Lakeview Court Common Name: same Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman, Vernacular Neighborhood: Eastlake Built By: Year Built: 1923   Significance This is an excellent example of a bungalow court complex, and is perhaps the only one in the city that incorporates commercial uses as well as apartments. Bungalow courts were common in the 1920s, combining the affordability of multifamily housing with direct access from each unit to a semi-private courtyard. Because they cost more per unit to build than did the more conventional apartment blocks, their popularity faded as builders sought higher densities and profits. Frederick Anhalt, a major apartment developer of the 1920s, began by building two bungalow courts, but quickly abandoned the model for higher density approaches. However, numerous bungalow courts from the 1920s remain in Seattle neighborhoods, particularly along Eastlake Avenue. The configuration found here is unusual in Seattle, with three two-story buildings with the units on the second floor and garages below, entered through the courtyard or from the street. Several of the original garages on Eastlake have been converted to commercial use, beginning in 1973. This conversion reflects a typical change that occurred to buildings in high-density commercial areas, with relatively little impact on the character of the apartment complex or on the neighrbhood.   Appearance Allison Lakeview Court consists of three two-story buildings arranged in a U-shape around a courtyard. Units are on the second floor, with garages below. Four garages are accessed by driving through the courtyard; the others are on the front of the building. The central courtyard is landscaped with shrubs and a small pond, with the driveway at the south side. Five storefronts are found along the Eastlake Avenue frontage, separated by stucco piers. Their character fits that of the building, with wood doors and sash. Building one, to the north, has a hip roof and gray brick cladding on the upper floor and tan stucco on the first. The two apartment entries on the front have substantial gabled hoods, set into the cornice, and original multilight doors. Windows are newer sash in the original wood surrounds, mostly in pairs. Similar windows are on the south elevation, in groups of three. The south side also has an exterior concrete staircase and a simple first-floor entry. All four of the garages along Eastlake are now in commercial use. Building two, at the rear of the courtyard, has a side-gabled roof and is also clad in gray brick and tan stucco. The doors, gabled hoods and concrete staircase are similar to those in building one. Garages are intact, with wood doors. Building three, at the south, is similar to building one, with a hip roof and concrete staircase to the courtyard. The cladding is clapboard, and the second-floor entries have hip-roof hoods with braces. Two of the three garages on the first floor are intact, with wood doors. The third is in commercial use.

Detail for 2936-2948 Eastlake AVE / Parcel ID 1959702575 / Inv # EA008

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Stucco, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable, Hip Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: U-Shape Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Commerce Integrity Changes to Plan: Slight Changes to Windows: Slight 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. Kreisman, Lawrence. Apartments by Anhalt. Seattle: Kreisman Exhibit Design, 1978.

Photo collection for 2936-2948 Eastlake AVE / Parcel ID 1959702575 / Inv # EA008

Photo taken Aug 12, 2002 Photo taken Aug 12, 2002 Photo taken Aug 12, 2002