Union Stables

seen from the street, a new penthouse addition fades away as the historic brick stable takes center stage

Union Stables

a full restoration of the existing brick façade and new windows designed to replicate the originals bring Union Stables up to current codes

Union Stables

inspired by the original carriage doors allowing horses to enter off Western Avenue, new retail storefront allows visibility and access to first floor retail spaces

Union Stables

an original hay cart used to feed the horses was found in the building; it now hangs in the main entry lobby as a testament to the building’s history

Union Stables

over 120,00 board-feet of douglas fir were salvaged from the building and re-used as benches, flooring, and countertops

Union Stables

a permanently installed photography exhibit in the office lobby narrates the history and renovation of Union Stables

Union Stables

the new penthouse is setback from the building edge, creating a generous and accessible roof terrace with views of Puget Sound

Union Stables

a vegetated roof, high-performing envelope, and deployable external sun shades contribute to the project’s LEED Gold rating

Union Stables

during construction, the white terra cotta horse head medallion was removed, cleaned, and repaired before its reinstallation on the building's front façade

Union Stables

the fully restored terra cotta horse head crowning the building remains as an artifact marking Union Stables' original use

Union Stables

the material, color, and rhythm of the penthouse façade was specifically designed to complement the original building with a modern architectural language

Location Seattle, Washington

Client Allegra Properties & Lease Crutcher Lewis

Awards Washington State Historic Preservation Office Awards, Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation, 2015

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Washington State, Redevelopment / Renovation of the Year, 2015

Historic Seattle Best Rehabilitation Award, 2016

Union Stables

Union Stables is a rare example of a once common building type, the urban horse stable. Constructed in 1909, the four-story, masonry and heavy timber building was designed to house 400 working horses who delivered goods to and from nearby Pike Place Market.

The renovation has preserved the original building and at once transformed it for contemporary office use. Work on the stable included a seismic retrofit, façade restoration, new building infrastructure and systems, an added fifth floor, and a roof terrace. Special care was taken to preserve the original character of the building. Brick walls and the heavy timber structures remain exposed to view. Timber columns that show wear from the horses who lived in the building over 100 years ago have been preserved as unique design features.

The project has achieved LEED Gold certification. Sustainability strategies include salvage and re-use of old-growth douglas fir now repurposed as benches, counter tops, furniture, and flooring within the building. The new fifth floor has a vegetated roof and a deployable sunshade system to control solar heat gain.

Union Stables is a Seattle Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The completed project meets the stringent historic preservation standards of the U.S. Government’s Certified Rehabilitation Program.

next project