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Building History

The S.L. Savidge, Incorporated, Building opened to a Hollywood-style premiere publicity blitz on 03/19/1930 complete with bands, arc lights, radio commentary on local station KJR and attractive young models and performers. A caption in the Seattle Daily Times stated: "Hollywood's gayest 'first night' will be reflected tomorrow night in the opening of the new S.L. Savidge Building at Broadway and East Union. The program is characterized as a 'house-warming' and for the night all business will be forgotten and Seattle has been invited to share in the merrymaking." (See "Savidge Holds Open House in New Building," Seattle Daily Times, 03/18/1930, p. 33.) Another story discussed the other Hollywood aspects of the opening: "Motion picture studio lights, strung the length of the entire frontage of the big S.L. Savidge Building, will give a Hollywood atmosphere for the carnival celebration to be staged tomorrow night. A battery of broadside arcs, capable of producing hundred of thousands of candle power, will be brought to Seeattle tomorrow from Weaver Studios in Tacoma. the lights are the same type used in the Hollywood studios for motion picture production." (See "Great Arcs Are To Light Street at Savidge Fete," Seattle Daily Times, 03/18/1930, p. 35.) Another story related:

An important ingredient to this publicity barrage was a multi-page spread in the Seattle Times newspaper covering about five pages on 03/18/1930. Newspapers would earn significant profits by donating more than usual space to the openings of new commercial enterprises such as S.L. Savidge's dealership selling expensive Hupmobiles and Pierce-Arrows. Multiple stories covered every facet of the opening including those on preparations for the celebration, the history of Hupmobile, information on S.L. Savidge and a short piece on the architect David J. Myers (1872-1936). All of the participants in the endeavor obtained publicity in this barrage, including the architect, who placed a large ad listing his name and business address. (See David J. Myers ad, Seattle Daily Times, 03/18/1930, p. 35.)

The onset of the Depression in 1929 challenged the many automobile companies still in business by that time. Hupmobile began production in 1909 as a modestly-capitalized corporation producing solid, moderate-cost, and reliable vehicles. By 1925, it altered its strategy to produce a larger range of models, including more luxurious, eight-cylinder ones. Efforts to appeal to a high-cost market segment were ill-timed and served to overextend the Detroit-based company after 1929. The company produced its last model, the Hupmodile Skylark, in 1939, before closing its doors. Hupmobiles relatively precarious financial status in 1930 may have prompted S.L. Savidge to pull out all of the stops to attract attention to his dealership's opening.

Savidge also sold automobiles manufactured by the Buffalo-based Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company in 1930. Pierce-Arrow was one of the most luxurious and prestigious American car brands during the 1910 through 1930 period. It furnished the first state vehicle for President Taft in 1909, and developed a following for its reliability and comfort among its upper-middle- and upper-class clientele. Pierce-Arrow did not produce a moderately-priced model, and like Hupmobile, also faltered during the 1930s Depression era, shutting operations in 1938.

In later years, the Savidge Building has been occupied by a number of businesses, including a QFC Grocery Store and a Bartell Drug Store. In 2022, first-floor retail shops were occupied by the 8oz Burger & Company (1401 Broadway), Great Clips Hair Salon (1403) and a Chipotle Mexican Restaurant (1415). The QFC and Bartell Drug Store operated on the upper levels of the building in 2022.

Alteration

Little remains of the original Savidge Building, save for portions of its facade facing Broadway and East Union Street. It was gutted to accommodate an enlarge commercial footprint. Part of the original facade became an entrance to a parking garage, and additional retail spaces were appended to the original dealership's north end.

PCAD id: 24414