Commerce Building (Everett, Washington) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Commerce Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Washington (state)
Location	1801 Hewitt Ave., Everett, Washington
Area	Less than one acre
Built	1910 (1910)
Architect	Turnbull, Benjamin Franklin
Architectural style	Early 20th-century commercial
NRHP reference No.	92001290
Added to NRHP	October 1, 1992

The Commerce Building is a historic building in Everett, Washington. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important place in American history. The building is also part of the Hewitt Avenue Historic District, an area known for its old and special buildings.

What is the Commerce Building?

The Commerce Building is a tall, five-story building. It was built a long time ago, in 1910. Back then, it cost about $100,000 to build. This was a very large amount of money at that time!

Who Designed This Building?

A famous local architect named Benjamin Franklin Turnbull designed the Commerce Building. An architect is someone who plans and designs buildings. Turnbull designed many other important buildings in Everett. He created both business buildings and homes.

What Was the Building Used For?

When it first opened, the Commerce Building was mostly used for offices. The second, third, and fourth floors had many different offices. Benjamin Franklin Turnbull, the architect, even had his own office there. He worked in the building from 1910 until 1927.

The very top floor had a special use. It was home to the Everett Business School. This school helped people learn skills for working in businesses.

The Building's New Purpose

By 1992, the Commerce Building was empty. But soon after, it got a new life. In 1993, it was turned into a place for people to live. It became an affordable housing community. This means it offers homes at lower rents for people who need help finding a place to live.

Today, the building has 48 studio apartments. A studio apartment is a small home with one main room. A non-profit group called Housing Hope manages these homes. A non-profit organization helps people without trying to make money.