2008: Pioneer Building

At First Avenue and James Street, near Yesler Way, the Pioneer Building has stood as one of the most beautiful and identifiable buildings in Seattle for over a century. Flanking one of the edges of Pioneer Square Park, the Pioneer Building stands six floors tall and has served numerous businesses since its completion in 1891. It is built on the site of the original home of Henry Yesler, one of the forefathers of the city of Seattle. Following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which tore through more than 30 blocks of the city, Yesler worked with designer and architect Elmer Fisher to rebuild the area.

Of the more than 50 buildings in Seattle attributed to Fisher, the Pioneer Building is one of the most stunning examples of his combination of Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian elements. Much of the Pioneer Building’s exterior is made up of red brick, divided by two stone pilasters that distinguish the front entrance. Each of the five main floors is composed of a row of rounded-arch windows as well as terra cotta embellishments. Three arched bays form the ground floor of the building, opening up to the street traffic and bustle of the square.

Originally, the Pioneer Building included a seventh-floor tower room with a pyramid-shaped roof that overlooked the park, but it was removed after an earthquake in April of 1949. Over the years, the Pioneer Building has housed mining companies, renowned restaurants and speakeasies, and is currently the first and last stop on Seattle’s infamous Underground Tour.

-Jenée Myers Twitchell, Writer (2008)