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In 1934, the Seattle Trust Company along with American Institute of Architects, Washington Chapter, collaborated on a campaign urging the public to "renovize" its dwellings; "renovize" meant to renovate and modernize residences. The campaign was designed to provide some renovation projects for architects struggling during the Depression. As part of the publicity campaign prompting home owners to renovize, a single house, built in 1899 for Mrs. Annie M. Herkenrath, was removed from its site at 2917 First Avenue and moved to a new temporary location on University Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue. Following the move, the local chapter of the AIA selected one of its members to create plans for its remodeling; George Groves won this city-wide competition. He replanned the small, cubic house covered by a hipped roof, into an enlarged, side-gabled residence. The original building had a tiny porch inset into one corner; this was removed and a larger terrace was planned for one gable end. Fritz Anderson was the General Contractor transforming the 1899 Herkenrath House into its 1934 incarnation. The bank and the AIA then allowed the new house to be auctioned on 12/01/1934 with proceeds going to charity.

The Seattle Trust Company encouraged various local manufacturers to donate materials; the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington Chapter, created a committee to oversee the Renovize Seattle Campaign; the group included: J. Lister Holmes, Chairman; William J. Bain, Sr., Construction Supervisor; George Stoddard, Materials Selector; Arthur L. Loveless, Interior Designer. The original Herkenrath House occupied land first claimed by Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Bell in 1866.

PCAD id: 14652