Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 4250-4256 Fremont AVE / Parcel ID 5694001015 / Inv # FR003

Historic Name: Northfield Block Common Name: Northfield Block Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Fremont Built By: Year Built: 1909   Significance This two-story mixed use building is significant as one of the neighborhood's earliest larger buildings. It was built in 1909, about the same time (1910) that the Seattle-Everett interurban line began running nearby. Fremont Avenue also had a major streetcar line, connecting downtown to Woodland Park. For many years the major tenant in the corner storefront was the Woodland Park Pharmacy. Another long-time tenant was Sutton's Health Center, which provided baths; they were in the building from the 1940s into the 1960s. Other tenants included groceries, meat markets, a creamery, a tropical fish store and a sign company.   Appearance This two-story brick-clad building is topped by a wide modillioned cornice. The six storefronts have been updated since 1909, but appear to be much the same as in the 1937 Tax Assessor's photo. They have older metal display sash and wood-and-glass doors. The original wood bulkheads have been stuccoed. The transoms are covered but are probably intact. A fixed fabric canopy replaced the earlier retractable canopys. The apartments on the second floor have newer metal sash. The rear elevation has newer windows, clapboard and vertical board cladding and a semi-enclosed wood staircase for the apartments. The main façade has rosettes indicative of seismic reinforcement.

Detail for 4250-4256 Fremont AVE / Parcel ID 5694001015 / Inv # FR003

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Stucco, Vertical - Boards, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Community Planning/Development Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Original Cladding: Slight Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 4250-4256 Fremont AVE / Parcel ID 5694001015 / Inv # FR003

Photo taken Aug 16, 2002