Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2914 SW Avalon WAY SW / Parcel ID 7628700130 / Inv # WS003

Historic Name: Boysen Apartments Common Name: Boysen Apartments Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Duwamish Built By: unknown Year Built: 1922   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. This is a unique remaining example of mixed use development in the former neighborhood of Riverside. Riverside was an ethnically diverse community of fishermen and others that grew along the west bank of the Duwamish River, just south of the present West Seattle Bridge. The community was bypassed and largely forgotten when the Fauntleroy expressway was built in the 1960s. Most of the structures were simple wood vernacular buildings. The largest, the West Hotel, was demolished for construction of the new West Seattle Bridge in the 1980s. The Boysen Apartments was the most substantial building in the tiny community. Built by Chris Boysen in 1922, the building originally had one floor of apartments above a grocery store. A second floor of apartments was added in 1926, for a total of seven units. On the first floor Boysen operated the Three Point Market, with a fountain and drugstore as well as groceries. He had a real estate office in the adjacent building.   Appearance This three-story red brick building has an elegance unexpected in this industrial location. The double-hung windows are in pairs, with prominent white stone lintels above; the third floor windows have arched lintels. Just below the prominent cornice are several decorative tiles and the original words "Boysen Apts." A neon sign saying "Luna Park" atop the building is a later addition, advertising the café next door. The storefront has been modernized, with enlarged display windows. .

Detail for 2914 SW Avalon WAY SW / Parcel ID 7628700130 / Inv # WS003

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Wood Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Irregular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: three Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Community Planning/Development Integrity Changes to Plan: Slight Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References West Seattle Herald. West Side Story, 1987. City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 2914 SW Avalon WAY SW / Parcel ID 7628700130 / Inv # WS003

Photo taken Oct 13, 2001