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Summary for 1408 12TH AVE / Parcel ID 866495-0000 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Bekins Moving & Storage Common Name: Trace Lofts
Style: Commercial - Chicago School Neighborhood: Pike/Pine
Built By: Year Built: 1919
 
Significance
This imposing structure is an early warehouse, significant for its architecture and prominent location at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Madison Street. It is part of the Pike/Pine commercial district, Seattle's early auto row. Warehouses and garages flourished in the area as well as auto dealerships and repair shops, especially near Madison Street, a main thoroughfare. The building was purchased by Bekins Moving and Storage in 1935 and used as a storage warehouse until the 1970s. For many years it had a very large "Bekins Storage" sign on the top. In 2007 it was integrated into a condominium complex constructed on the north side.  The orginal building is generally intact, but with two added stories and new metal sash. 
 
Appearance
The three-story structure is triangular in shape to fit the irregular block where Madison Street cuts diagonally across 12th Avenue and Union Street. Cladding on the main north and east elevations is brick, painted a cream color, with concrete on the other two sides. It is capped with a deep dentillated cornice of terra cotta. The first floor has a ceiling height of 19 feet, with large transoms above display windows. A belt course runs above these transoms, which also have terra cotta sills. All the windows have been replaced with new metal sash in different configurations than the original. 

Detail for 1408 12TH AVE / Parcel ID 866495-0000 / Inv # 0

Status: No - Altered
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Brick, Terra cotta Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown
Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Warehouse Plan: Triangular
Structural System: Masonry - Unreinforced No. of Stories: five
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce
Integrity
Changes to Windows: Moderate
Changes to Original Cladding: Intact
Changes to Plan: Moderate
Major Bibliographic References
King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 1408 12TH AVE / Parcel ID 866495-0000 / Inv # 0


Photo taken Jun 24, 2011

Photo taken Jun 24, 2011
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