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Overview

The economic stagnation of the Depression curtailed plans for a twenty-six-story skyscraper to be built on this site. Instead, only two floors were completed by 1935. Two successive building campaigns, one in 1957-1958 and one in 1997, added seven and four more stories, respectively. Extensive remodelings of the external skins occurred during both renovations.

Building History

This publicly-owned utility formed during the Progressive Era, commissioned the firms of Bindon, Wright and Partners, Archtects, and Decker, Christenson and Kitchin, Architects and Engineers, to design its $3.7 million headquarters. By 02/23/1958, all of the framing had been done on the building, most of its exterior sheathing applied, and interior work had begun. Completion was set for 08/1958.

Building Notes

Fentron Industries, Incorporated, produced the alumnium and glass curtain wall system used in the Seattle City Light Headquarters. (See Fentron Industries, Incorporated ad, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 03/11/1959, p. 7.)

Alteration

This 7-story building originally had an International Style aesthetic, with a cubic form and window bands syncopated by vertical aluminum strips. A white box, covered in enameled white tiles housed the building's circulation spaces. This building was later refaced beyond recognition.

PCAD id: 15764