| Historic Name: |
City Light Department |
Common Name: |
Sunlight Café |
| Style: |
Commercial |
Neighborhood: |
Roosevelt |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1929 |
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| Significance |
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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 brick commercial building is notably intact, with a suspended metal canopy, transom windows and cast stone ornament. The only change is that the display windows have been enlarged. The building was built in 1929 and served as the neighborhood office of City Light. During the early part of the century, the municipal electric utility competed with both Puget Sound Power and Light and Seattle Lighting (gas) Company to serve the city's rapidly growing neighborhoods. The establishment of local offices to serve people where they lived was one way to gain customers and the confidence of citizens.
Tremendous growth occurred in the Roosevelt neighborhood in the 1920s. In 1920, when the school district proposed building a new high school near NE 65th street and 10th avenue NE (now Roosevelt Way), people protested that it was too far out an would not be needed. However, within five years of its opening in1922 it had to be expanded. The commercial district expanded accordingly during this period.
After City Light closed its office, the building later housed a television store, a jewelry store, a clothing shop, a real estate office, and other similar businesses. For many years it has been a popular café. The building is an important part of the Roosevelt Way streetscape; the building type and uses are typical of those found on local arterials near streetcar and bus lines.
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| Appearance |
| This small retail building is clad with tan-colored brick, with elaborate cast stone ornament capping the pilasters between storefronts. The large display windows reach almost to the ground and the entry doors have been modernized. The tall narrow transoms remain intact, as does the suspended canopy. At the rear is a small one-story addition, dating to 1936; this has its own entrance on NE 64th Street and was once as separate storefront. |
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