Holyoke Building

The Holyoke Building is a five-story brick structure with stone trim located at the corner of First Avenue and Spring Street in downtown Seattle. Retail shops occupy the ground floor while professional offices fill the upper levels of this early commercial building.

Construction of this building began shortly before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, one of the city's most destructive disasters. Its deep foundation excavation inadvertently helped contain the spread of flames and protected nearby structures.

Musicians gathered in this building during the early 1900s, using its rooms for teaching and performing in informal studios. The space became known among local artists as a place where they could develop their craft and connect with fellow musicians.

The building sits near Pike Place Market and is easily reached on foot from Pioneer Square station. Its central downtown location and accessible street-level frontage make it simple to view and explore alongside nearby attractions.

The deep excavation pit for this building's foundation unexpectedly became a natural barrier against the 1889 fire spreading across the street. This accidental firebreak possibly saved entire blocks from destruction during the disaster.

Location: Washington

GPS coordinates: 47.60560,-122.33500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01