The Diller Hotel, Historic hotel building in Downtown Seattle, United States
The Diller Hotel is located at the corner of First Avenue and University Street and features original brick walls and a pressed tin ceiling dating to 1890. The four-story building now houses apartments and ground-floor retail space, with its early construction methods still clearly visible throughout.
Leonard Diller constructed this hotel in 1889, exactly one year after the Great Seattle Fire devastated the area. The building was part of the rapid rebuilding effort that transformed the city during this period.
The name comes from Leonard Diller, who built this structure as part of Seattle's recovery after a major fire. Visitors can still observe how the original design reflected the commercial spirit of the era when this street was the city's main business hub.
The building is viewable from the street and clearly displays the architectural features of the late 1800s. The surrounding area on First Avenue contains many other historic structures and shops, making a walking tour through the neighborhood worthwhile.
The structure is one of only two hotels from the 1880s and 1890s still standing on First Avenue, making it exceptionally rare in the neighborhood. Its survival stands as a testament to Seattle's earliest commercial period and development.
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