Admiral church-turned-events-venue seeks landmark status


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It was once the Sixth Church of Christ Scientist, built in 1929 at the corner of SW Lander and 42nd SW – what you see in the Google Street View image above is the south side, immediately across the street from Hiawatha (more photos in this Vintage Seattle post). Now, it’s an events venue called The Sanctuary at Admiral, and city landmarks coordinator Beth Chave confirms to WSB that the city has just accepted a nomination this week proposing Seattle landmark status, submitted by The Sanctuary’s owner (and months in the making), which means this is one of two West Seattle buildings currently under consideration — the other is the Seaview building at The Kenney (as noted in our coverage of the ongoing Design Review process for its proposed redevelopment). Landmark status can bring some economic benefits, like tax breaks, though it also brings restrictions – if the city Landmarks Board decides to designate the building as a landmark, that means that any changes to it (remodeling, etc.) would require their approval. Chave says neither this nomination nor that of the Seaview is listed on the city’s “current nominations” page because the applications are still being reviewed for completeness; once that’s determined, hearings will be scheduled for the board to review the proposal, and public comment will be part of the process (as explained here). You can find a list of West Seattle sites that already have landmark status by going here; meantime, here’s more on The Sanctuary’s history, from its website. The venue, by the way, hosted an event of worldwide note earlier this month – the International Food Bloggers’ Conference (podcasts available on the IFBC website).

6 Replies to "Admiral church-turned-events-venue seeks landmark status"

  • SB May 28, 2009 (8:24 pm)

    my wife and i had our wedding reception here. it’s a small interior but beautiful. highly recommend it for any gathering.

  • AW May 29, 2009 (7:51 am)

    We have attended two charitable events held at Sanctuary at Admiral, both of which proceeds went to benefit the West Seattle Community. We saw many locals there and were really happy to have such a beautiful venue in our own backyard. We’re looking forward to having our daughter’s wedding there one day in the future!

  • Terry May 29, 2009 (8:25 am)

    Another way to view the Historical Landmarks in West Seattle is to use the City’s My Neighborhood Map http://www.seattle.gov/MNM, chose “Southwest” in the Neighborhood drop down box, then “Landmarks” under Service Layers.

    There are currently 16 designated Landmarks in West Seattle.

  • J May 30, 2009 (7:25 pm)

    Convenient that they’ve chosen to nominate it a landmark now AFTER remodelling has already taken place. While I do think its a beautiful venue I dont think it should be granted landmark status, as a result of the renovations that took place several years ago at this property it is only the outer walls that remain original. A similar venue could be rebuilt again today and thusly I dont think it should be listed as a landmark. Perhaps if it were in its original condition as a church

  • M June 1, 2009 (9:28 am)

    Valid point J – Renovations that by the way were all completed without any type of permitting. Also find it interesting that the landmark status nomination has only surfaced in response to the Land Use violation finding against the owners.

  • kitty June 3, 2009 (11:02 am)

    J – it’s not just the outer walls that are original. The majority of the structure is the same. The owners seem to have taken great care in maintaining the integrity of the building. It could have been torn down and townhomes put in – would that have been better?

    M – Many people do work on property they own without permits. Why pick on these owners?

    I have been to several events in this facility. Its lovely and deserves to be saved. I don’t understand why so many people on this blog seem to have something personal against the owner.

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