Butterworth Building

The Butterworth Building is an office structure in Seattle that rises three stories along First Avenue and five stories facing Post Alley. The asymmetrical height results from the sloped terrain, allowing more floor space on the rear side of the property.

The building was constructed in 1903 as Seattle's first mortuary facility and housed an elevator specifically engineered for transporting deceased persons. This elevator was the first of its kind on the West Coast designed for such a purpose.

The building displays Late Victorian architectural details with mahogany finishes and art glass that remain visible throughout. These handcrafted elements, including ornamental plaster and custom brass hardware, reflect the skilled craftsmanship of the early 1900s.

The building is easily accessible on foot and sits in a central downtown location. The basement level now houses a restaurant and pub where visitors can walk in without needing admission.

The basement originally contained a chapel seating 200 people for funeral services and private family rooms for mourning. Fireproof vaults were also built to store remains when burial decisions needed to be delayed.

Location: Washington

Architects: John Graham & Company

GPS coordinates: 47.61050,-122.34200

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06