The Arctic Building, Seattle
historic place
The Arctic Building, located in downtown Seattle at Third Avenue and Cherry Street, is a notable historic place in King County. It was completed in 1916. The building served as the headquarters for the Arctic Club, a social organization formed by individuals who found success during the Klondike Gold Rush. Designed by architect A. Warren Gould, the ten-story structure features a Beaux-Arts style. Its exterior is faced with cream white terra cotta, accented with blue and orange-brown details. A distinctive architectural element is the series of 27 terra cotta walrus head sculptures adorning the third floor. The building was an early example in Seattle to use terra cotta panels over a steel-reinforced concrete frame. The Arctic Club occupied the building until 1971. In 1978, the Arctic Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was later converted into a luxury hotel, opening in 2008. The Arctic Building stands as a physical representation of Seattle's connection to the Klondike Gold Rush era and its architectural development.