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Building History

Seattle businessman M.E. Downs commissioned the construction of this originally two-story, brick building just after the Fire of 1889. In 1901, Downs operated a copper company in his building and, in 1911, was a director of Lower Yakima Irrigation Company (also headquartered in this downtown block.) He sold it to C.F. Clapp, who, in turn, sold it to Seattle lawyer W.A. Peters and Charles P. Taft, brother of President (and Chief Justice) William Howard Taft. This pair held it for 1-2 years before selling it to C.J. Erickson, a shipbuilder and building contractor. In 04/1920, businessman James D. Hoge negotiated an option to buy the Downs Block, which stood next to his recent skyscraper, the 18-story Hoge Building. In 1935, the Downs Building was known as the "Hoge Building Annex." A newspaper story, "Buildings Show Growth of City," quoted realtor C.P. Burnett as saying that the Downing Block "...is recalled as the first to reach completion after the [1889] fire." (See "Buildings Show Growth of City," Seattle Daily Times, 09/15/1935, p. 31.)

Building Notes

The architect Otto F. Wegener maintained an office in Room #38 of the Downs Block in 1895. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Classified Business Directory of Seattle, 1895-6, p. 818.)

In 1905, Seattle architect James H. Schack (1871-1933) operated his practice in the Downs Block. Five years later, architect W.D. Van Siclen (1865-1951) occupied Room #51 in the Downs Building. The Warrick Construction Company also leased space in the Downs Building c. 1915.

In 1902, the Seattle Star reported: "Architect A.W. Spaulding [sic] has completed plans for remodeling the Downs block, the cost of which work will be $30,000. Two addition [sic] stories will be added, providing 25 more offices, and the building will be made modern throughout." (See "Remodel Downs Block," Star, 10/08/1902, n.p.)

Demolished; it occupied King County Parcel 5530510000, but was replaced by the Millenium Tower Condominiums, built in 2000.

PCAD id: 11873