Downtown building you'd most like to see replaced

Doomgoggles · April 19th, 2011, 02:02 AM

Forgive me and delete this if it's inappropriate for whatever reason, but this was motivated by my weekly drive into downtown from the North. One of the sights most prominent from the freeway is this:

image hosted on flickr

And it got me thinking. I would love if this thing were torn down and replaced with a more attractive building. To be fair, from Boren, it's not too bad, but a building needs to have more than ONE attractive facade.

So what are your personal eye-sores you'd like to see demo'd and replaced?

SJM · April 19th, 2011, 02:39 AM

the macy's parking garage, that whole block needs a huge development.

cpm_seattle · April 19th, 2011, 05:26 AM

The biggest problem we have is crappy pavement. Throughout the whole city. World class. Laughable. We should be embarassed. Travel abroad... and see what it is like in other civilized parts of the world. Right behind that... is a street system where there is little rhyme or reason in regard to signal timing (improving slightly but still pathetic is most instances). Plus... WAAAY too much signage (visual pollution and no value added for drivers or pedestrians), along with way too much paint on the pavement, and... (drum roll) an abundance of brain dead drivers dividing their attention between the road and a hand-held device (75/25 in favor of the hand held device). Immature and childish people. Fix these things (good luck) and the quality of life around here goes WAAAAY up. But don't hold your breath. If we get past all this... THEN we can talk about buildings that should be replaced. Have you ever tried to park on the curb in downtown Seattle? You have to read the signage three times and scratch your head (and call a lawyer for interpretation) and then look at the color of the paint on the curb -- if it is red or yellow or gray (painted over)... and whether is it new or faded or whatever... etc., etc., and whether it contradicts the signage. The whole disorganized mess that is Seattle streets... needs to be CLEANED UP big time.

meku · April 19th, 2011, 06:59 AM

I love the Olive Tower ! One of the finest Art Deco examples in the city - what it needs is some high-rise neighbors.

Macy's Garage block would be #1 on my list at the moment.

jessejb · April 19th, 2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpm_seattle

The biggest problem we have is crappy pavement. Throughout the whole city. World class. Laughable. We should be embarassed. Travel abroad... and see what it is like in other civilized parts of the world. Right behind that... is a street system where there is little rhyme or reason in regard to signal timing (improving slightly but still pathetic is most instances). Plus... WAAAY too much signage (visual pollution and no value added for drivers or pedestrians), along with way too much paint on the pavement, and... (drum roll) an abundance of brain dead drivers dividing their attention between the road and a hand-held device (75/25 in favor of the hand held device). Immature and childish people. Fix these things (good luck) and the quality of life around here goes WAAAAY up. But don't hold your breath. If we get past all this... THEN we can talk about buildings that should be replaced. Have you ever tried to park on the curb in downtown Seattle? You have to read the signage three times and scratch your head (and call a lawyer for interpretation) and then look at the color of the paint on the curb -- if it is red or yellow or gray (painted over)... and whether is it new or faded or whatever... etc., etc., and whether it contradicts the signage. The whole disorganized mess that is Seattle streets... needs to be CLEANED UP big time.

See Seattle! Walk.

pwalker · April 19th, 2011, 08:16 AM

I really thought about this question. But, at the end of the day, I can't think of any prominent Seattle building that I'd like to see replaced. We need to hold on to our classic buildings, historic or not. Yet, I love the modern additions, too.

One could argue the orginal Sea-First building, now 5th Avenue Plaza, is cold and boring. But no, it is a classic example of mid-20th century architecture, and historically the first tall in Seattle since the Smith Tower. It is indeed the building that opened the floodgates for the present Seattle skyline, (though buried today, seemingly).

alexjonlin · April 19th, 2011, 09:53 AM

http://goo.gl/maps/Vch9 This thing. I think it's some sort of telecom thing but I don't understand why it has to be Downtown.

Seattlelife · April 19th, 2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpm_seattle

an abundance of brain dead drivers
You have to read the signage three times and scratch your head (and call a lawyer for interpretation)

These are the 2 things I agree with. I lived in NYC for a year, it's a world class city and has horrendous roads so I don't agree with that point.

There isn't a building in Seattle I feel like needs to be replaced, sure the Olive Tower is puny and in a prime spot for something nicer but there are plenty of spaces for something nice without tearing it down. I guess the Macy's garage is the only one I can agree with. Oh and the viaduct

BoulderGrad · April 19th, 2011, 01:41 PM

Can't believe no one mentioned this first. Its just gotta go...:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...4Ne9L7H-INEeng

eww.... just eww....

geoffloftus · April 19th, 2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderGrad

Can't believe no one mentioned this first. Its just gotta go...:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...4Ne9L7H-INEeng

eww.... just eww....

Yep, that's got my vote too!

Capitol Hill · April 19th, 2011, 05:05 PM

My vote goes for the King County Administration building. A true abomination, and a fine example of what happens when we do civic architecture on the cheap.

CrazyAboutCities · April 19th, 2011, 05:37 PM

I want ALL parking garages and surface parking lots to be replaced by mixed-uses high rises.

Ruffhauser · April 19th, 2011, 08:35 PM

The Ross Cross-dress for Less building.

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UT...,21.9,,0,-8.84

I don't think this one could be rehabbed/converted to a new purpose, plus it sits on too valuable of a downtown parcel to have a low-rise building on it.

SJM · April 19th, 2011, 09:33 PM

I kind of like the art deco features of that building, but i think it could use an upgrade with a development kind of like what happened with Escala. Integrate the base with a highrise.

bgwah · April 19th, 2011, 10:55 PM

Count me as another vote for the Macy's garage.

I like the Olive Tower.

old_smithy · April 20th, 2011, 09:56 PM

I also like the Olive Tower, and to a lesser extent, Ross. I do wonder why the top two floors have been vacant for what seems like forever. Sure there is no parking, but it seems like two adjacent floors would be great for a small backroom operation of some sort.

Doomgoggles · April 22nd, 2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

My vote goes for the King County Administration building. A true abomination, and a fine example of what happens when we do civic architecture on the cheap.

I dunno: it doesn't really bother me. However, I'd like to say that it would be RIGHT AT HOME in downtown Everett! :P

In any case, I looked at the Olive Tower some more -- apparently it has one very nice looking facade. I just don't know why the other three sides are so ugly. A trend I really don't like is when the older buildings, including some art-deco ones, have their names plastered on the side in huge letters. It's just very unattractive imo.

Here's another one I think needs to be axed:

image hosted on flickr

kub86 · April 22nd, 2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexjonlin

http://goo.gl/maps/Vch9 This thing. I think it's some sort of telecom thing but I don't understand why it has to be Downtown.

yeah just like that red brick monolith in belltown with no windows. It sucks that cristalla's pretty glass dome retail spot faces this monstrosity...I think that retail spot has been vacant forever...because of that telecom thing.

kub86 · April 22nd, 2011, 07:57 AM

Doomgoggles- Olive tower has 3 ugly sides because back in the day (i'm assuming) it was either surrounded by towers, or was expecting to be surrounded by tall towers - hence the blank facades that don't face the street.

meku · April 23rd, 2011, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kub86

Doomgoggles- Olive tower has 3 ugly sides because back in the day (i'm assuming) it was either surrounded by towers, or was expecting to be surrounded by tall towers - hence the blank facades that don't face the street.

Exactly - it was definitely surrounded by some apartment buildings (not sure if high-rise at that time). Then the I-5 came and I guess they decided to keep the Olive Tower, because of it architectural values.

April 19th, 2011, 05:26 AM	#3
cpm_seattle On Schedule Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 171 Likes (Received): 1	The biggest problem we have is crappy pavement. Throughout the whole city. World class. Laughable. We should be embarassed. Travel abroad... and see what it is like in other civilized parts of the world. Right behind that... is a street system where there is little rhyme or reason in regard to signal timing (improving slightly but still pathetic is most instances). Plus... WAAAY too much signage (visual pollution and no value added for drivers or pedestrians), along with way too much paint on the pavement, and... (drum roll) an abundance of brain dead drivers dividing their attention between the road and a hand-held device (75/25 in favor of the hand held device). Immature and childish people. Fix these things (good luck) and the quality of life around here goes WAAAAY up. But don't hold your breath. If we get past all this... THEN we can talk about buildings that should be replaced. Have you ever tried to park on the curb in downtown Seattle? You have to read the signage three times and scratch your head (and call a lawyer for interpretation) and then look at the color of the paint on the curb -- if it is red or yellow or gray (painted over)... and whether is it new or faded or whatever... etc., etc., and whether it contradicts the signage. The whole disorganized mess that is Seattle streets... needs to be CLEANED UP big time. Last edited by cpm_seattle; April 19th, 2011 at 05:39 AM.

April 19th, 2011, 01:41 PM	#9
BoulderGrad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,357 Likes (Received): 39	Can't believe no one mentioned this first. Its just gotta go...: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...4Ne9L7H-INEeng eww.... just eww.... __________________ My shrink once said to me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone..."

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April 19th, 2011, 02:02 AM	#1
Doomgoggles Unregistered non-user Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle/Kitsap Posts: 738 Likes (Received): 39	Downtown building you'd most like to see replaced Forgive me and delete this if it's inappropriate for whatever reason, but this was motivated by my weekly drive into downtown from the North. One of the sights most prominent from the freeway is this: image hosted on flickr And it got me thinking. I would love if this thing were torn down and replaced with a more attractive building. To be fair, from Boren, it's not too bad, but a building needs to have more than ONE attractive facade. So what are your personal eye-sores you'd like to see demo'd and replaced?

April 19th, 2011, 02:39 AM	#2
SJM Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,234 Likes (Received): 3	the macy's parking garage, that whole block needs a huge development.

April 19th, 2011, 06:59 AM	#4
meku Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 979 Likes (Received): 15	I love the Olive Tower ! One of the finest Art Deco examples in the city - what it needs is some high-rise neighbors. Macy's Garage block would be #1 on my list at the moment.

April 19th, 2011, 08:16 AM	#6
pwalker Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Native Seattleite Posts: 1,257 Likes (Received): 3	I really thought about this question. But, at the end of the day, I can't think of any prominent Seattle building that I'd like to see replaced. We need to hold on to our classic buildings, historic or not. Yet, I love the modern additions, too. One could argue the orginal Sea-First building, now 5th Avenue Plaza, is cold and boring. But no, it is a classic example of mid-20th century architecture, and historically the first tall in Seattle since the Smith Tower. It is indeed the building that opened the floodgates for the present Seattle skyline, (though buried today, seemingly).

April 19th, 2011, 09:53 AM	#7
alexjonlin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,248 Likes (Received): 82	http://goo.gl/maps/Vch9 This thing. I think it's some sort of telecom thing but I don't understand why it has to be Downtown.

April 19th, 2011, 05:05 PM	#11
Capitol Hill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,378 Likes (Received): 156	My vote goes for the King County Administration building. A true abomination, and a fine example of what happens when we do civic architecture on the cheap.

April 19th, 2011, 05:37 PM	#12
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	I want ALL parking garages and surface parking lots to be replaced by mixed-uses high rises.

April 19th, 2011, 08:35 PM	#13
Ruffhauser Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Belltown Posts: 1,316 Likes (Received): 209	The Ross Cross-dress for Less building. http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UT...,21.9,,0,-8.84 I don't think this one could be rehabbed/converted to a new purpose, plus it sits on too valuable of a downtown parcel to have a low-rise building on it.

April 19th, 2011, 09:33 PM	#14
SJM Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,234 Likes (Received): 3	I kind of like the art deco features of that building, but i think it could use an upgrade with a development kind of like what happened with Escala. Integrate the base with a highrise.

April 19th, 2011, 10:55 PM	#15
bgwah honk!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,733 Likes (Received): 76	Count me as another vote for the Macy's garage. I like the Olive Tower.

April 20th, 2011, 09:56 PM	#16
old_smithy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 112 Likes (Received): 4	I also like the Olive Tower, and to a lesser extent, Ross. I do wonder why the top two floors have been vacant for what seems like forever. Sure there is no parking, but it seems like two adjacent floors would be great for a small backroom operation of some sort.

April 22nd, 2011, 07:57 AM	#19
kub86 Twinkie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle/Bellevue Posts: 746 Likes (Received): 2	Doomgoggles- Olive tower has 3 ugly sides because back in the day (i'm assuming) it was either surrounded by towers, or was expecting to be surrounded by tall towers - hence the blank facades that don't face the street.