Journal Building

Owned by the Daily Journal of Commerce since its completion in 1914, the Journal Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a contributing building to the Pioneer Square National Historic District.

BuildingWork is completing a full seismic retrofit for this structure, originally built with unreinforced masonry walls and heavy timber floor framing. The project will bring the building into compliance with the current building code for seismic stability and safety. Additionally, a new top floor will be added with a roof terrace.

The Journal Building is an exceptionally well-preserved example of turn-of-the-twentieth-century commercial architecture. The building has a ground floor level with large display windows and rusticated stone cladding, and there are three floors of finely detailed brick above. The building’s original wood windows are still intact and in place, as is the original decorative metal cornice at the top of the façade. The building is located one block from Seattle redeveloping waterfront, with an off-ramp from a two-story elevated highway immediately outside the building. The Seattle Waterfront project will remove the highway and the off-ramp beginning in 2019. Once the elevated highway is removed, the Journal Building will have incredible views and pedestrian connection to Elliot Bay and the revitalized waterfront.