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August 16, 2012
Union signs lease for old chamber building
By MARC STILES
Journal Staff Reporter
Journal Staff Reporter
The SEIU Healthcare 775NW union is consolidating operations in downtown Seattle and has leased a building at 215 Columbia St.
The 1924 building is known for its details, including Native American figures in a frieze.
Architect Harlan Thomas, who designed the Sorento Hotel and other notable Seattle buildings, designed 215 Columbia, which originally housed the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
The building is under contract to be sold, according to Cushman & Wakefield|Commerce broker Sue Baugh, who's listing it with colleague Steve Brunette for the owner, First American Title. Baugh declined to name the potential buyer or price.
Union spokesman Jackson Holtz said the union will share about 50,000 square feet with SEIU Healthcare NW Training Partnership & Health Benefits Trust as well as an advocacy group called Working Washington. The union is relocating from spaces in South King County, where it occupies a total of 34,500 square feet.
SEIU Healthcare 775NW claims to be the fastest growing union in Washington, and says it represents 43,000 members in Washington and Montana.
Holtz said nearly 200 people will work in 215 Columbia after the move in November.
Allbee Romein is designing the union's new space. Holtz said the union hasn't named a contractor.
Kris Richey of Kinzer Real Estate Services represented the union in lease negotiations. Terms weren't disclosed.
A flier on officespace.com says the 52,300-square-foot building is listed for sale for $6.5 million.
The Seattle Historic Preservation Board named the five-story building a landmark, according to the Cushman flier, which calls it a noteworthy example of the Romanesque revival style.