The Holyoke Building, Seattle
historic place
The Holyoke Building, a historic place in downtown Seattle, Washington, stands at the corner of First Avenue and Spring Street in King County. Its construction began in the spring of 1889, just before the Great Seattle Fire. The deep excavation for its foundation acted as a fire stop, preventing the fire from spreading further north. Completed in early 1890, this five-story brick structure was among the first new buildings ready for occupancy after the devastating fire. Designed by architects Thomas G. Bird and George W. Dornbach, the Holyoke Building is a subdued example of the Victorian Commercial style with Romanesque elements. It is named for Richard Holyoke, a prominent figure in Seattle's timber and banking industries. Historically, the building housed various social and artistic groups. As early as 1895, it hosted the Conservatory of Arts. Studios of Nellie Cornish, founder of the Cornish College of the Arts, were also located here. The Holyoke Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and designated a City of Seattle Landmark in 1978. It remains a significant example of Seattle's rapid post-fire rebuilding and its evolving cultural landscape.