This reinforced concrete frame building was designed and constructed during designer Charles Bebb's transition from his firm with Louis Mendel (which ended in 1914) and, subsequently, with Carl Gould (which began in mid-1914). Bebb had a great deal of experience in the design and manufacture of architectural terra cotta tiles, a building material much-used during the late 19th century-1920s for its aesthetic and fire-resistant qualities. (Architects in Chicago and elsewhere used it as a insulating cladding material on the exteriors of new steel-frame skyscrapers.) He worked for the Illinois Terra-Cotta Lumber Company, Chicago, IL, in the 1880s and the Denny Clay Company, Renton, WA, between 1893-1898. The Fischer Studio Building was built in two phases, the first by the firm of Bebb and Mendel (1912) and the second by Bebb and Gould (1914-1915): in 1912, the Kohler and Chase Music Company had committed to occupy the first 3 stories; a basement was also constructed at this time. The building was started with the understanding that it would be enlarged 5 floors more to accommodate offices. By 1914-1915, the concept had changed, with the upper floors having music-related offices and residences for artists and musicians.

In c. 1920, the Bush and Lane Piano Company operated its Seattle, WA, store in the Fischer Studio Building. Originally, a music studio--designed in a Renaissance Classical idiom--occupied the building's 7th and 8th floors. The building stands 110 feet high and has a flat roof with parapet.

According to the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Sites Summary for the Fischer Studio Building, alterations also occurred in 1918: "In 1918, a project involving fairly major interior alterations was undertaken. The plans, designed by Seattle architect George W. Lawton, called for the conversion of some units that only included reception and teaching rooms to living units with individual bathrooms. The plans also called for the conversion of some of the studio spaces into larger individual housing units complete with separate living and dining rooms, kitchens, and baths on the second, third, and fourth floors. These changes were possibly born out of the initial success of the project as a residential building." See Historic Sites Summary for 1519 3rd AVE.Accessed 08/05/2009. Architect Ralph D. Anderson bought the building for $230,000 in 1974, with the intention of rehabilitating it. Anderson improved fire safety and seismic standard and added central air conditioning. Following this, Anderson became active in remodeling the building into increasingly large condominium units; he remodeled the 7th-8th floor recital hall for his own residential usage.

PCAD id: 9778