AKA: 1st Realty Company, Hartford Building, Seattle, WA

Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - office buildings; built works - commercial buildings - stores

Designers: Graham, John and Company, Architects and Engineers (firm); John Graham Sr. (architect/engineer)

Dates: constructed 1928-1929

2 stories

600-604 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-2204

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Architect John Graham Sr., designed the 2-story, reinforced concrete Hartford Building, "Store and Lofts for the First Realty Company." As has been noted in the City of Seattle, Department of Neighborhoods' "Historical Sites Summary for 600 2nd AVE / Parcel ID 0939000115," the building with its delicate Art Deco ornamentation, was erected at the same time as the 2nd Avenue Extension Project got under way, creating additional street frontage from Yesler Way to South Jackson Street. The street's extension created some upheaval in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood, Seattle's historic Central Business District, necessitating the demolition of some buildings and the modernization of facades on others. To remain current, the Hartford Building needed to have up-to-date exterior styling. (See City of Seattle, Department of Neighborhoods' "Historical Sites Summary for 600 2nd AVE / Parcel ID 0939000115,"Accessed 05/29/2011.)

The Hartford Building was made a contributing building to the Pioneer Square-Skid Road National Historic District.