College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
Surprise: Denny's declared landmark
Thursday February 2008While many Ballard residents spoke fondly of the charm of the old Ballard Denny's, even calling it the Taj Mahal of Ballard, the building's owners, Benaroya Companies, who purchased the buidling in 2006 for $12 million with the intent to sell it to a condominium developer, are not pleased with the landmarks board designation decision. The building, designed by San Francisco architect Clarence Mayhew for Manning's Cafeteria, stands at the corner of Markert St. and 15th Ave., and the landmarks board based their decision on one of the required criteria: that the building "is an identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood, and contributes to the identity of Ballard." It is also evocative of the Googie architectural style, particularly because of the soaring, parabolic roofline. Charles Jenner, who led construction of the structure, and spoke to the board prior to its vote said, "It was the greatest vaulted ceiling in the city of Seattle." However, a preservation consultant hired by Benaroya, and architect Larry Johnson said that the building was "not a quintessential Googie-style building, citing a smorgasbord of various styles, including Polynesian, Scandinavian and Googie elements." Regardless of the building being described as "Scandigooginesian" it has passed the vote. While it may be appealed to the city's hearing examiner, it looks like the old Ballard Denny's is here to stay, thanks in part to the efforts of CAUP's Alan Michelson, head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Library, who presented a case for landmark designation to the board.
Since 1973, the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board has designated more than 300 buildings, sites, vehicles, vessels and street clocks as protected landmarks. To win that designation, a proposed landmark must be at least 25 years old, have "integrity or the ability to convey its significance," and meet one or more of the following standards:
The building or site is in a historically significant location.
1. It is significant in the life of a historical figure.
2. It is significant to an area's cultural, political or economic heritage.
3. It is architecturally significant.
4. It is an outstanding work of a particular designer or builder.
5. It is visually prominent and identifiable with its neighborhood.
The board designated the Manning's/Denny's building a landmark Wednesday, February 20th based solely on its being an easily identifiable visual feature of Ballard. Normally, when the board makes its designation based on a single standard, it's because of a building's architectural significance.
Source: city of Seattle
For the complete story please visit: The Seattle Times online.
A counter story with the owner's reaction can also be found online.