Downtown Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Burke Building Remnants

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 24, 2016

1. Burke Building Remnants Marker

Inscription. This arch and other
architectural components
in the plaza are from the
Burke Building
which was built on this site
in 1895

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture.

Location. 47° 36.276′ N, 122° 20.088′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Marion Street, on the right when traveling south on 2nd Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exchange Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First Post Office in Seattle (within shouting distance of this marker); Start of Seattle Fire Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexis Hotel / Globe Building (about 500 feet away); Beebe Building (about 500 feet away); The Holyoke Building (about 500 feet away); First School in Seattle (about 600 feet away); Colman Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Regarding Burke Building Remnants. Now the location of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, a striking 37-story tower located within the Pioneer

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Square Commercial Business District on the block bounded by First and Second avenues and Madison and Marian streets. The parcel of land is steep and slopes toward the waterfront and piers of Elliott Bay on Puget Sound. The site is the original location of the Romanesque Revival style Burke Building (1889-1891), which was constructed in the aftermath of the Great Seattle Fire. Local preservationists lobbied against the government's 1971 demolition of the Burke Building, which cleared the site for the new office tower. Although the project proceeded as planned, the architects incorporated architectural fragments of the landmark building into their design. Elements such as the Romanesque entry arch, which is part of the landscaped plaza on Second Avenue, represent a compromise that, though not prevalent today, was often employed in the early years of the historic preservation movement.

Burke Building Arch and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 24, 2016

2. Burke Building Arch and Marker

The marker is visible here to the lower left of the arch.

Burke Building Remnant - Rooftop Decorative Element image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 24, 2016

3. Burke Building Remnant - Rooftop Decorative Element

This remnant, which once graced the top front of the building (see next photo) is found on the outer perimeter of the plaza, on Marion Street.

Burke Building image. Click for full size.

Photograph courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives, circa 1900

4. Burke Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.