These places are in preservation limbo, as they are currently standing but may loose that privilege in the coming months – maybe even weeks.

SPP is working hard to help save them, and would be thrilled to have your help.  If you can send e-mails, write letters, or spare a few hours and care about historical preservation please contact us.  Thank you!

If you would like to see these places preserved, please contact your elected officials.

And if you know of a building, structure, or place threatened by demolition or otherwise in need of preservation assistance, please contact us.

 

4th Ave. NE Historic Landmarks (1910-1912)

Two local landmarks are endangered by a proposed development for the 100 block of 4th Ave. NE.  Both were designated as local landmarks in 1994.  The Henry-Bryan Home is located at 146 Fourth Avenue, Northeast, and is built in the Queen Anne Cottage style.  Bay Gables, now operating as the Chateau France restaurant, is located almost next door to the Henry-Bryan House, at 136 4th Avenue Northeast.  It is a Vernacular style home, with Queen Anne and Colonial Revival elements.  The Henry-Bryan home is named after two early city contractors, Walter Henry and Hardy Bryan.  Henry built the First Congregational Church and the Carnegie Library.  Bryan worked on the Open Air Post Office and the Snell Arcade.  The site also includes a contributing structure to the Downtown National Historic District, the Morrison Hotel (Inn by the Bay).

The Liberty Group proposes to build a four star hotel on the site of these two landmarks.  They propose to relocate the Henry-Bryan Home.  Information regarding the feasibility of relocating the Bay Gables is being developed.   If it is not feasible to relocate the Bay Gables, the developer proposes to demolish it.   Two of these buildings are particularly sensitive as they are already designated local landmarks.  Further they are on the 4th Avenue-4th Street corridor, one of the most historic corridors in the downtown.  The 1905 Queen Anne Mayor Bert Blocker Home (Mansion by the Bay) is also directly across the street and was previously approved by the City for relocation.

While SPP’s preference would be to maintain these historic buildings on their present sites, we are in discussions with the developer regarding acceptable alternative sites for possible relocation and mitigation measures to be made by the developer proportionate to the harm being done to the Downtown National Historic District.  The development as proposed to the city Development Review Commission in August did not include any mitigation for the displacement and loss of historic resources, and SPP registered its objection.  The development nevertheless was approved and the approval is now under appeal by SPP.  The developer subsequently proposed to the city Community Preservation Commission (CPC) to relocate the Henry-Bryan to 22nd street south near the old Seaboard Train Station.  SPP opposed this location as having no historic association with the home and being inaccessible to public view. The CPC agreed with SPP and denied this proposed relocation site.