Wednesday, the Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee agenda includes a vote to pass an ordinance extending landmarks controls on the Burwell House on Capitol Hill’s Millionaire’s Row.
CHS reported last year on the process for the 1904-built 14th Ave E house as the landmarks board prepared to approve the nomination.
In addition to placing the house under a review process for any significant architectural changes to protected elements, the landmarks program also make properties eligible for grants-in-aid and the historic rehabilitation tax credit which allows owners and some lessees to take a 20% income tax credit on rehabilitation costs.
Unlike some local landmark processes where property owners or developers oppose historic controls to allow for redevelopment, the designation of the Burwell House was a smooth, cooperative effort with the property’s longtime family ownership.
More than 100 years ago, the house was being built near what would become Volunteer Park for Anson and Gertrude Burwell. Anson helped build the Seattle Hardware Company into one of the economic engines of Seattle’s early 20th century growth. He was led the YMCA here as it grew into an influential force as Seattle boomed.
The ordnance, once approved at committee and then by the full council, will put a Controls and Incentives Agreement in place to “strike a balance between preservation goals and continued operation of a property.”
Millionaire’s Row, meanwhile, is due for a big change. CHS reported here on the plans for The Baillie, a new boutique hotel and restaurant being built out of the longtime Shafer Baillie Mansion and slated to open in 2027.
Subscribe to CHS to help hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you. Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for $5 a month — or choose your level of support