Next Landmarks Board vote set for West Seattle’s ‘Bloss House’

(Photo courtesy Historic Seattle)
The date is now set – two weeks later than previously projected – for the Landmarks Preservation Board to vote on whether to make West Seattle’s “Bloss House” an official city landmark. Board members decided in April (WSB coverage here) to proceed with consideration, but that’s no guarantee of designation. It’s a 95-year-old Craftsman home at (4055 SW Holgate), most notable as a largely unaltered example of the working-class bungalow that dominated so much of the residential construction back then. The two-part nomination document presented to the board (text here, photos here) includes a peek into West Seattle history as well as the background of the house itself. The designation vote is set for the board’s 3:30 pm meeting next Wednesday, June 16, on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown.

nearalki June 10, 2010 (1:08 pm)

Wow! Fascinating. I read every word on the Nomination Form. Very interesting from a historical interest. The inside pictures and historical explanations were very interesting too. I wonder what (if any) impact on the value of the house landmark designation would have. There certainly would be a detriment to any potential purchasers because any changes (interior?) would have to be approved by the landmark board…floor coverings, updated kitchen, adding a master bath, etc.

Having the original blueprints obviously told who the architect was…but I wonder how I would find out who the architect was on my very original West Seattle 1927 Tudor?

WSB June 10, 2010 (2:38 pm)

Nearalki – there are some documents available thru the county, I believe – we looked ours up way back in pre-Interweb days, 1993!!! (OK, pre-widespread-web) generally the original building permit might be available, and it might say. (The first owner of our little 1941 warbox also designed it, and went on to an illustrious career building homes in California, apparently. Must be why the darn thing’s still standing. The old document says the materials cost about $5K!) The DPD, modern-day keeper of such things, probably will be able to point you in the right direction. I know we’ve had the discussion in comments and/or forum before but I can’t think of the best search term right now to unearth…TR

Gina June 10, 2010 (3:48 pm)

http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=collection_db_list&dbPage=9

Local history links from the Seattle Public Library website. Fun for poking about in history from home.

Eugenia Woo June 10, 2010 (5:01 pm)

I’m one of the co-authors of the landmark nomination report for the Bloss House. We still really need your support for designation—it helps to show community support. We are saying the house embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Craftsman bungalow. It’s an excellent example of the style and retains high integrity and truly exemplifies the classic Seattle bungalow.

If you can, please attend the meeting and provide public comment. If you’re unable to attend, please email your support of the designation to Beth Chave, Landmarks Preservation Board Coordinator, at beth.chave@seattle.gov by Monday, June 14.

Thank you!

Eugenia Woo
Director of Preservation Services
Historic Seattle

nulu June 12, 2010 (2:01 pm)

nearalki,
Your best bet for tracking down archives of your home are gathering identifying info through your own documents including address, King County Assessor’s # and the Legal Description of your property.
Armed with this, head over to the King County Archives located across the Lake at Belevue Community College.
Very likely they will have historic documents and even photographs of your home.
Seattle DPD might have more recent documents and building plans.
Good luck!

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