The Davis Hoffman building (Image: CHS)
People familiar with talks between the Pike Pine Urban Neighborhood Council and Alliance Realty say the developer is ready to unveil a new plan for its 1020 E Union project that will include preservation of the 1915-built Davis Hoffman building at 10th and Union.
The new plan will be unveiled to the public next week at a community meeting held at PPUNC member and Capitol Hill developer Liz Dunn’s 12th and Pike coworking space, Agnes Underground on Tuesday, September 25th from 5 to 7p.
Alliance had been struggling to move a plan forward through the city’s design review process that called for demolition of the building currently home to Capitol Hill Housing and the Pravda Studios event space even as it planned to benefit from the neighborhood’s preservation incentive program. In August, we reported on PPUNC’s opposition to the plan and efforts to stop Alliance from tearing down the old auto row-era structure to make way for its new seven-story, mixed-use apartment project.
We’ve asked Alliance for an update on the situation and will add more if we hear back.
in this breakout provided during design review by Alliance, the developer described the four structures that are currently part of the parcels set for development. Initial planning called for only the Madison Park Greetings office and garage structures at 11th and Union to be preserved.
I went to a few of the design reviews for this project. The team seemed disinterested in preserving the Pravda structure. I’m glad to see they have come around. The neighborhood is getting new housing (good) and density (good) while still fighting to maintain its character. Well done. Hopefully the new plan is well designed!
I was really believing that there was no point to the preservation incentive program, as developers seem to be able to just do whatever is easiest/most lucrative anyway. Looking forward to the new design and hope it works. Thanks to PPUNC for working so hard on this.
A win for the pike pine, good for developer for coming around. Thanks PPUNC for fighting this.
Whereas the height of the structure above the sidewalk may seem a hindrance, it can also be a positive. What I would do is have a ‘porch’ set in from the exterior wall, with the current windows being open air. As most new retail ends up being bars/restaurants anyway, this would provide outdoor patio seating for restaurants on a desirable southwest exposure, elevated a bit above the sidewalk.
Just wanted to add a bit of info: This building has also been home to the offices of Grace Church Seattle, http://www.graceseattle.org , for almost 15 years! We’re in suite 102 across the hall from Capitol Hill Housing. While our church rents the Volunteer Park Seventh Day Adventist church for our Sunday worship, we’ve been trying to figure out what to do since they announced the demolition. Our current plan has been to see what happens. Turns out that might be a good plan? Ha. Anyway, just wanted to let you know of another group this news affects. Thanks for keeping us informed. It’d be sad to lose this building.
Thanks for the note. Lots of details to keep track of and things to know — always helps to have, well, help. Send us mail or, yeah, leave a comment. We’re always learning!
Thanks jseattle. I’ll let you know if we hear anything. Capitol Hill Housing told us they’re moving to a temporary place downtown on Oct 20th, but not sure if they would be able to stay now?