June 12, 2024

A facade-ectomy for Hotel Seattle

Photo by Brian Miller [enlarge]

The hotel this week ...

Having been sold to local investors three years ago, downtown's vacant old Hotel Seattle is bound for renovations and an eventual reopening with a new name. And, though final permits aren't yet quite in place, dumpsters are now parked at 315 Seneca St., and the lower facade is now being stripped of its 1960s additions.

Rendering by Weinstein AU [enlarge]

... and how the lower facade will later be restored.

The 12-story building was landmarked after the sale, and that status will presumably aid in obtaining federal historic tax credits. But there's no sign yet of a construction loan.

On the lower two floors facing Seneca, crews from PCI Democon are now removing the hooped concrete awnings and dark cladding that conceals the original terra cotta. That masonry will later be restored, and a more period-correct awning added, per the renovation plan by Weinstein AU. Venture General Contracting will be the builder.

And, over the past weekend, crews from Barnhart Crane and Rigging, Vertical Dimensions and Kone Elevator delivered new elevator parts to the 98-year-old building. Fourth Avenue was partly closed for much of Saturday.

The basement restaurant Bernard's closed four years ago, along with the 78-room hotel; and the nail salon more recently closed to make way for the demo and scaffolding.

There's no announced schedule for the renovations, which will also include an expanded lobby with bar. The ownership didn't respond before deadline to a DJC query. Also working on the project as advisors are Columbia Hospitality and BOLA Architecture + Planning.