Picture this. You are standing before the Hull Building a sturdy brick structure in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. This isn’t just any building. It’s a piece of Seattle history.
The Hull Building a testament to Seattle’s past was designed by Elmer Fisher a prominent Northwest architect. Construction began in the latter half of 1889. Seattle politician Alonzo Hull a Civil War veteran invested in its creation. He purchased the land for $13000. He envisioned a three-story brick building. A smart investment indeed.
Alonzo Hull wasn’t just any investor. He was a key figure in Seattle’s development. He served on the city council in the 1890s. He played a crucial role in establishing the city’s water system. He secured the Cedar River watershed as Seattle’s main water source. His influence helped shape Seattle into the city it is today. He probably never imagined his building would still stand.
Completed in January 1890 the Hull Building was one of the first substantial brick structures in Belltown. Its Victorian design is subtle. Exposed corbelled brick pressed tin trimmings and cast iron storefront columns are typical of Fisher’s style. The building housed apartments for working-class residents. Cooks stenographers ship captains clerks and business owners all found homes within its walls.
One of the building’s earliest tenants was Barnes & Co Pharmacy. Drugstores operated in the corner store for much of the early 20th century. The lack of commercial development in Belltown helped preserve the building’s character. The upper floors eventually fell vacant. They remain so to this day. The building has seen minimal restoration work. The cornices were replaced with near-perfect replicas.
The Eng family purchased the Hull Building in 1958. They ran A-1 Laundry in the first floor and basement for 58 years. They closed in 2016. They then put the building up for sale. It was purchased by Hull Building LLC. The Hull Building lives on a silent observer of Seattle’s transformation. It continues to stand as a symbol of resilience and enduring history. It silently watches the city grow. The legacy of Alonzo Hull and Elmer Fisher remains. The building stands as a reminder of their vision.