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Southwest West Seattle home up for landmark designation

Thanks to Deb Barker – former Landmarks Board member among other things – for the tip on this. When the board meets tomorrow, it will consider a landmark designation for a home in southwest West Seattle, 10455 Maplewood SW [map]. It’s known as the Stewart House for its original 1930-1931 owners, Ralph and Evelyn Stewart, an entrepreneurial family that primarily made money through home-heating fuel. The unrelated family that has owned it for more than 50 years is seeking the designation “in an effort to gain Seattle landmark protections for the house and to recognize it for posterity,” according to the report that gained a landmark nomination for the house. It was designed by early-20th-century architects Bain and Pries and is considered an example of “Spanish eclectic” architecture. You can see more photos in the slide deck prepared for the Landmarks Board process. The city’s historic-preservation staff says the two-acre site, with other structures, and home are worthy of consideration as examples of an architecture style and “outstanding work” of architects; you can read their report here. The board will consider the potential landmark designation when it meets at 3:30 pm tomorrow at City Hall downtown. You can also watch the meeting online, and/or comment in person or remotely – the agenda explains how.

P.S. West Seattle already is home to more than a dozen designated city landmarks – all mapped here.

presentation

8 Replies to "Southwest West Seattle home up for landmark designation"

  • IMHO November 19, 2024 (1:34 pm)

    💕 ly

  • Jim November 19, 2024 (2:46 pm)

    Having been brought up in what is now called the Arroyos (formally the Sand Pit or 47th SW). The folks built our house in 1949.  We called the Stewart house The Spanish Castle or The Spanish Mansion – not to be confused with the establishment we snuck into when I was in hight school out on Pacific Hi Way.  Glad to see it getting some recognition – always thought it was beautiful tucked away it it’s little bay.

    • 22blades November 19, 2024 (10:14 pm)

      Hope you caught a young Jimi Hendrix!

  • Pam November 19, 2024 (3:45 pm)

    Touring this property would be interesting to many! As a private residence that might feel intrusive… if it gets landmark status maybe a possibility the current owners might consider. It’s great to see care being taken to preserve remarkable architecture as part of our community history. 

  • SweetB November 19, 2024 (6:52 pm)

    Yay! What a gem!

  • Ferryboat November 19, 2024 (7:27 pm)

    I’m glad to see that the house is being considered for landmark status and not for dividing up the lot. I appreciate having the slide deck attached to see the home and the other properties from the architect! I’d love to go back in time to see all the old houses in West Seattle.

  • Shannon November 19, 2024 (8:30 pm)

    Original *1931-1934 owners* Ralph and Evelyn Stewart

  • Carolyn November 20, 2024 (2:00 pm)

    Thanks to all of you for your kind comments.My family and I are lucky enough to live in the Stewart House.  We are grateful to the Landmarks Board for considering the designation because it would break my heart to see someone tear down this place and put up some monstrosity.  Now the house will, hopefully, stand for as long as this part of the world does.I had no idea that this house was on anyone’s “radar screen”, and was pleasantly surprised by the comments the application received.  Special thanks to Deb Barker!

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