I've see uglier, like new ones in Northgate.

But it is gratifying to see Charles take issue with boxy architecture, considering modern architecture in communist and socialist countries.

Is that the one where Denny’s used to be? (It was not built as a Denny’s, but as a Manning’s, which was a local chain)

Speaking things that aren’t what they used to be, apparently the city is going to greenlight the demolition of the downtown Ross Dress for Less, an amazing Art Deco building that was a Woolworth’s until Woolworth’s stopped being Woolworth’s, which I think is ridiculous.

@2: That is ridiculous, and sad. Should be preserved by a historical association.

Totally agree with the anti-pedestrian warning at this intersection. It is like playing real life Frogger to cross the street here. Double-check your health and life insurance policies before you attempt. You might not be able to afford the crossing.

It would be great if The Stranger would cover the significant cutting down of trees, particularly tier 2 trees, that the city has given developers free rein to do. This has allowed developers to build truly hideous stacked flat box houses that operate entirely on greed. Please consider covering this issue, it wouldn’t be hard to find examples.

They made so many promises on what that building would look like before they built, then just made excuses when they didn’t deliver. Citizens get screwed again and the city does NOTHING.

I’m sorry but who fucking cares - it’s an apartment building, not an art museum.

The building does exactly what it should, provide a ton of units (believe Charles stated 300) for normal renters (not bougie luxury apartments like we see sprinkled in SLU). Find another axe to grind (I’m happy to point out a ton of buildings on CH that are way, way uglier and cost way, way more to rent).

What do you expect from cheap materials? Seattle has some of the ugliest new architecture in the world, but the ugliest building in Washington State goes to Bellevue 600. NBBJ should be embarrassed, a missed opportunity.

I think the big takeaway is that design review accomplishes nothing. It leads to buildings that look too similar or in this case, are very ugly. Yet it can delay projects for years, pushing up the cost of housing. The whole design review process is stupid.

@2 -- The building is not on the National Register of Historic Places* or the local landmarks list** even though some wanted it on there*. I don't see it being added now. It is possible they could preserve some of the facade. The building isn't very valuable (it is short and probably not in great condition). As of the last couple years they have valued the building at zero and only taxed it based on the land**. If the preservation board pushes back too hard it would just sit there and decay (it is already pretty battered looking) until there is nothing much to preserve.

I think it does have some nice features but I think the big "Ross" on the front corner (arguably the nicest part of the entire building) looked pretty tacky. In other words I could see someone cleaning it up and making it look nice (the clock is nice) but it wasn't that great looking the last few years (in my opinion).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Seattle
https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/historic-preservation/city-landmarks/landmarks-list
https://web.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=194680611
**https://blue.kingcounty.com/Assessor/eRealProperty/Dashboard.aspx?ParcelNbr=1975700300

Yes I miss Denny's Lounge "Booze and Pancakes". It was my dive bar of choice back in the day. It's the societal move away from authenticity and towards assimilation which is frightening. The criticism of Charles and this article is so predictable and pathetic.

RIP the Denny's, where I spent a very sad, safe, but ultimately lovely New Year's Eve 1991 in the bar alone with my book.