Eitel Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eitel Building |
|
|---|---|
The Eitel Building, in 2008
|
|
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Address | 1501 2nd Avenue Seattle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°36′34″N 122°20′22″W / 47.60944°N 122.33944°W |
| Construction started | 1904 |
| Completed | 1905 |
| Renovated | 2017–2019 |
| Renovation cost | $16 million |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 8 |
| Floor area | 45,000 square feet (4,200 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Doty van Siclen |
| Developer | David and Fred Eitel |
| Renovating team | |
| Renovating firm | Weinstein A+U |
| Structural engineer | Coughlin Porter Lundeen |
| Main contractor | Exxel Pacific |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 90 |
| Designated | January 31, 2011 |
The Eitel Building is an eight-story building in Downtown Seattle, Washington. It stands at the corner of Pike Street and 2nd Avenue. Brothers David and Fred Eitel built it in 1904. It was first used for doctors' offices. For many years, starting in the 1970s, the building was mostly empty. People often called it an "eyesore" because it looked so run-down. In 2016, a company bought the building. They decided to turn it into a fancy hotel. The hotel makeover cost $16 million and finished in early 2019.
Contents
The Eitel Building's Story
Building a New Home
In February 1904, two brothers, David and Fred Eitel, shared their plan. They wanted to build a six-story building in Seattle. It would be at 2nd Avenue and Pike Street. This area was becoming a busy business district. The upper floors were designed for 95 offices. These offices would be for doctors and pharmacists. The ground floor would have two shops.
Construction started in April 1904. The building was finished in January 1905. It cost about $80,000 to build. The outside of the Eitel Building was made of a special material called terra cotta. Architect William Doty van Siclen designed it. People thought it was one of the city's most beautiful buildings. It also had modern features. These included concrete floors and the biggest passenger elevator in the Pacific Northwest. The Eitel brothers sold the building in 1906. Later that year, a seventh floor was added.
A Building in Trouble
Over time, the area around the Eitel Building changed. In the 1940s and 1950s, it became less popular. The shops on the ground floor closed. The building was sold to different owners. Doctors and other office workers slowly moved out. By 1978, the upper floors were completely empty. It was too expensive for owners to update the building to modern safety rules.
A real estate investor named Richard Nimmer bought the building in 1975. He tried many times to fix it up or sell it. He thought about turning it into apartments, offices, or even a hotel. But nothing worked out. The Eitel Building became known as an "eyesore". It was in a very busy spot near Pike Place Market. Its windows were boarded up, the roof was rotting, and pigeons lived inside. At one point, the city of Seattle even threatened to take over the property. This was part of their plan to clean up the area. The building was also damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. A brick wall separated from the roof. It was fixed, but it made it harder to find buyers.
Saving the Eitel Building
In 2006, the downtown area was rezoned. This meant new rules for building. A tall building, 400-foot (120 m) Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue, was built right next to the Eitel Building. Richard Nimmer then wanted to build a 22-story tower on top of the Eitel Building. This idea caused problems. People who owned condos in the tall building next door would lose their views. Also, groups that wanted to protect old buildings fought against it. They wanted the Eitel Building to be named a landmark.
A landmark status means a building is important and should be protected. The Landmarks Preservation Board agreed in 2006. But the Seattle City Council didn't approve it right away. There was a disagreement between Nimmer and the condo owners. They finally settled their dispute in 2011. Then, the landmark status was approved.
A New Life as a Hotel
The Eitel Building was put up for sale in 2011. The asking price was $4.85 million. In 2012, a company planned to buy it. They wanted to turn it into an 80-room boutique hotel. A boutique hotel is a small, stylish hotel. But the company changed its mind. They said the building and renovations were too expensive. Another developer tried to buy it in 2013, but also backed out.
Finally, in November 2015, Lake Union Partners bought the building for $5.35 million. This ended Richard Nimmer's ownership. They announced plans for a $25 million renovation. The renovation would turn the building into a 90-room hotel. It would add an eighth floor. They also planned to make the building stronger against earthquakes. This is called a seismic upgrade. They also cleaned and fixed the terra cotta outside. The hotel is called the State Hotel. It opened in early 2019. The State Hotel also has a bar on the ground floor called Ben Paris.
