Olympic Associates Company
Duncan Building, Pioneer Square

Cobb Building

North Coast Electric

S.D. Deacon/Remco

Duncan Building

KFC/Tacobell

AAA

Café Appassionato

Magnolia Hi-Fi
The renovation of the century-old Duncan Building in Seattle's Pioneer Square combines the building's historic elements with modern designs, producing a structure that blends in with its surrounding neighbors while offering space compatible with 21st century uses.

The 24,000-sq.-ft. building, constructed in 1889 and occupied for decades by a saddle manufacturing company, received a facelift from Olympic Associates Company in 2004 that creates two floors of offices space with retail opportunities on the main and basement levels.

Designers consulted with family members of the building's original owner in an attempt to fully understand and embrace the structure's history. Using anecdotal information and historic photographs, OAC architects recaptured the building's original glass storefront façade, preserved the masonry exterior and retained the original glass skylights.

Modern touches include exposed seismic braces; a bright yellow and highly visible elevator shaft; and an open steel and maple stairwell than spans the two office floors.

  • Architecture
  • Structural Engineering
Owner: Seattle Funding Group
Location: Seattle, Washington
Project Area: 24,000 sq. ft.