Hoge Building

Was the Hoge Building always destined for greatness? Well, let’s just say its story begins long before its steel skeleton reached for the Seattle sky. Right here, at 705 Second Avenue, stood the humble cabin of Carson Boren, arguably the first white settler’s home in what would become this bustling city. Imagine a rough-hewn dwelling, smoke curling from its chimney, a stark contrast to the elegant Hoge Building that now graces this spot. The cabin and the subsequent shops that replaced it met an unfortunate end in the Great Seattle Fire. But from the ashes rose opportunity. John Hoge, a wealthy businessman from Ohio and uncle of the building’s namesake, saw potential in this charred corner. He purchased the land and built a three-story brick structure, housing his various ventures. The Hoge Building we see today, however, is the brainchild of John’s nephew, James D. Hoge, Jr., a banker and real estate investor with a vision as towering as the structure he envisioned. In 1911, the Hoge Building began its ascent, its tan brick and terracotta facade a testament to the Beaux-Arts architectural style. The construction was remarkably swift. The steel frame, all 17 stories, was completed in a mere 30 days, a record-breaking feat at the time. This speed, however, wasn’t driven solely by ambition. The architects, Bebb and Mendel, had incorporated lessons from the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, designing a building that could withstand seismic shocks. The Hoge Building briefly held the title of Seattle’s tallest, a point of pride for James. However, a friendly rivalry with L.C. Smith, who was simultaneously constructing the Smith Tower just blocks away, spurred a race skyward. The Smith Tower ultimately triumphed, dwarfing the Hoge Building with its eventual 42 stories. Even though overshadowed in height, the Hoge Building retained its charm and significance. It housed businesses, including a branch of Dexter Horton Bank, and remained in the Hoge family until 1986. The Hoge Building stands as a testament to a bygone era, a time of rapid growth and architectural ambition. It reminds us that even amidst the soaring skyscrapers of a modern metropolis, the echoes of humble beginnings can still be heard.