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Originally built by the James M. Colman Company, Incorporated, this commercial building has served several owners since its construction in 1909. Initial construction probably took place during 1908-1909, with additions made about 1915. The building has been used as a warehouse and a factory, as well as a stable/garage on lower floors. It is believed that the building was used as a furniture manufacturing facility for the Frederick and Nelson Department Store, and its first floor as a stable for its drayage horses. (See Robert Hodges, Architecture 500A Student Paper, University of Washington, "C.B. Van Vorst Building," p. 2, 10/17/1990; accessed in the UW Built Environments Library, 05/27/2014.) As noted by Hodges, the West Coast Furniture Company owned the building between c. 1936-1941, when the C.B. Van Vorst Company purchased it and utilized its as a mattress-making facility. It became known as the Van Vorst and Englander Building for one year, 1975-1976, when this entity was dissolved. Van Vorst Industries still owned the property and sold it to the Seattle Times which used it as a storage facility.

The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board met on 12/17/2008 to hear proposed revisions to a previously approved Final Design for the Van Vorst Building.

In 1990, Hodges described the changes to the building: "During the tenure of the West Coast Furniture Manufacturing Compan (circa 1935), a mattress frame chute from the second floor to the first was installed. Technological advances caused the replacement of the original lighting and heating systems, and the removal of the water tank. Two window bays on the eastern facade were opened up in order to install a third loading dock. The only major change was the 1956 basement addition." (See Robert Hodges, Architecture 500A Student Paper, University of Washington, "C.B. Van Vorst Building," p. 2, 10/17/1990; accessed in the UW Built Environments Library, 05/27/2014.)

PCAD id: 13455