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Building History

This four-story building, a prime local example of the Richardsonian Romanesque Style, was erected in the wake of the Great Fire of 06/06/1889. Heather MacIntosh, writing in Preservation Seattle, wrote of the Brooklyn Building: "The building's combination of residential and commercial functions illustrates the early residential character of Second [Avenue] before its transformation into a commercial district and ceremonial space." (See Heather MacIntosh, Preservation Seattle.org, "May 2003: Seattle's Canyon of Dreams: Preservation along Second Avenue," accessed 06/12/2011.) A restaurant, The Brooklyn Seafood, Steak and Oyster House, has operated on the first floor of 2nd Avenue since the building's reopening in the late 1980s.

Building Notes

In 1903, the Brooklyn Cafe occupied the main storefront facing 2nd Avenue and the Clint W. Lee Printing Company maintained a first-floor shop with an entrance on University Street.

Alteration

Despite its City of Seattle Historic Landmark Status, the Brooklyn Building was gutted to allow for the construction of the Washington Mutual (WaMu) Bank Tower #1 (1986-1988). Only the north and west walls were actually landmarked, meaning that the interiors and rear did not have enough "integrity" to receive protection. The Brooklyn Building became part of the mammoth WaMu building campaign.