March 24, 2017

Old ice warehouse in Belltown is now cool new event space called Block 41

Photo by Brian Miller [enlarge]

The 15,000-square-foot structure has three indoor spaces on two levels and a courtyard, and can accommodate a total of 800 revelers.

Photo by Graham Baba Architects [enlarge]

Stephen Hirt designed the entry chandelier for Block 41. Tom Sturge did the lighting design.

A new party and event space has opened in a vintage Belltown building at 115 Bell St., between First and Second avenues.

Block 41 occupies a 1927 structure, formerly used as an ice warehouse and garage, that has been extensively renovated. Jim Graham and Susan Tillack of Graham Baba Architects designed the new space and Wilcox Construction built it. The building was also once home to the Empire Lounge and Ampersand Lounge.

Daniel Temkin bought the building and its small parking lot in 2013 for $2.9 million through an LLC.

The 15,000-square-foot structure now offers three indoor spaces on two levels and a courtyard that can accommodate a total of 800 revelers.

General manager Lisa Hoonan called the project “a total refresh with bells and whistles,” and said it took over a year to complete. “We completely gutted it and preserved what we could. We've added two kitchens, one on each level.”

There's a new HVAC system, 13 restroom stalls, shower and state of the art audio-visual system. The parking lot facing Second has become a private courtyard.

Hoonan, who has 25 years of experience in corporate event planning with her company Event Resources, was initially just a consultant on Block 41. She said her old friend Temkin “called me and said, ‘I've just bought a building, and I need your help.'” Now she's agreed to stay on and run Block 41, “because this is my baby.”

The plan was always to make Block 41 a dedicated event space. Hoonan cites a glaring need downtown for large, open, loft-style party spaces that appeal to a younger, hipper demographic.

“Seattle is way behind,” she said. “There's nothing downtown besides hotels and the convention center.”

Facebook has already booked an event at Block 41.

“We cater to that market,” said Hoonan, but the operators also want to “do something community-based.” She said the foyer of Block 41 will be used as a showcase for local artists.

The business model is corporate clients on weekends and nonprofits midweek. “We've already booked a number of nonprofit events.”

Block 41 is also available for weddings, parties, photo shoots and other purposes.

Several local artists were involved with the project. Stephen Hirt designed a new metal courtyard gate and entry chandelier for Block 41. Tom Sturge created the lighting design.

The building's scuffed old wooden columns were wrapped in what Hoonan calls “rawhide leather pole corsets” that were designed and installed by Meg Bye.

Block 41's website, block41.com, has a preferred list of vendors, including Tom Douglas Catering and Paul Dudley Photography. Hoonan said the idea is to create “a turnkey experience. We may not be the cheapest, but we're the best.”

Block 41 owner Temkin is new to the event-planning business, but not to real estate. His Issaquah-based firm Burr & Temkin, founded in 1983, specializes in real estate services for the transportation industry.