I've been inside ( during the 1970's) and it's a beautiful old building. It's a pity there are not more people who still appreciate the workmanship of the older architecture. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
I love architecture. Having lived in cities like London and New York City I'm very aware of gems that were lost but also how much it takes to either restore or maintain buildings like this. There has to be a market value. McMenamins hotels and restaurants are famous for bringing back properties and they are wonderful and employing artists and craftsman to bring back or maintain what was.. but there has to be a market. For example McMenamins took a poor house outside of Portland Oregon from the 1920s that sat vacant for decades and turned into a wonderful hotel. But both in time saving and not to destroy the original architecture and strength, they didn't turn every room into an ensuite bathroom etc.. you have a wonderful room and do go to loos and showers on each floor. I absolutely love that property but I have worked in events and I appreciate the original architecture. Most travelers would whine about not having an ensuite bathroom. But then again 8 out of every $10 mcmenamin makes is on booze, the bars, and the multiple events they have every weekend. They carry the properties. McM's has also restored seaside resorts and schools, but they are the exception. Everyone says "let's save it!"! But it takes a lot of money. This report doesn't list how many rooms but I've never heard of Des moines, is it even close to something marketable? Waters? Mountains? Hiking trails?.. all of this has to be taken into consideration. Lower income housing sounds great, but is there adequate staffing in the area? Dorm style means a lot of maintenance on shared bathrooms. But it probably has a wonderful cafeteria setup so this would be a possibility. Masonic Halls are known for their gilded era extravagance and beautiful craftsmanship.. There is a masonic hall in almost every large city, InterContinental hotels took over one in Chicago and it is one of the better hotels in chicago. But once again, that takes a LOT of money.
With older folks needing more respect and care, why not keep it for them? On the other hand to rehabilitate it for today's realistic weather, energy, and earthquake standards may be impossible. It is a huge building that may not be safe. I would love to see it. Does it have hidden mystery rooms or tunnels?
There are grants the state gives developers to save historical buildings like this one. Once gone its GONE. If buildings much older than this one can be saved, so can this one. I have been inside this beautiful building,I even have a favorite room. The community rooms are incredible. The grounds are gorgeous. When we are on the water, that's how we find Des Moines. Marinas are a dime a dozen. Historic buildings like this one are unique. Another thing, What will be the environmental impact of destroying this building? The area is already desperately trying to save the few Orcas we have left because Chinook Salmon are also disappearing. The city has already lost a bunch of historic buildings. The one thing that makes Des Moines unique is about to be destroyed. Another thing that is bothering many of us is that the proposed use is a mystery to everyone. I just cannot believe the city did not jump to protect it from the start.
All it would take to save this magnificent piece of history would be for the City of Des Moines to decide that it wants to find a way to preserve it instead of submitting to the will of the developer that bought it. There is federal, state and private money available to create a public/private partnership that would be a win-win-win for the developer, the city and the region. But the Mayor of Des Moines is a middle manager at Nordstrom. He's no match for a developer with deep pockets, and he's scared to death of a lawsuit, so he's going to bend over backwards to make sure the demolition is allowed to proceed. It wouldn't be a surprise if the developer has provided him with other personal incentives to make sure nothing stops it.
What they have done in England (I watch a lot of restoring vids) is turn buildings like this in to Condos. Grand Condos. I have no idea if this city is a place that would work but this building deserves to serve a different purpose and be saved.
If you search Preserve Landmark on the Sound Petition, you can sign and share. I can't post the hyperlink because I think UA-cam is deleting it. Thanks for your support! It's not the Change petition. It's the Preserve Landmark on the Sound page.
If you search Preserve Landmark on the Sound Petition, you can sign and share. We can't post the hyperlink because UA-cam is deleting it. Thanks for your support! It's not the Change petition. It's the Preserve Landmark on the Sound page.
Keep these buildings, and stop these developers from tearing down buildings only to build cheap three story houses. Everywhere I look trees, almost forests are disappearing in Washington state to cheaply made houses!!! For example, sunrise Blvd E in puyallup just past Fredmeyer. The trees that use to be there, are now taken down for cheap houses and apartments. In just a few short years Washington isnt going to be an Evergreen state but become a Barren state!!! Sunrise Blvd E had a beautiful scenery with the background of Mt Rainier, soon will be a sea of cheap houses!!
But what about the "cheap apartments"? Average price of "cheap"single family houses in Puyallup,Wa. is $585,000...Average "cheap"apartment rent in Puyallup Wa. is $1,900. a month..Those are "cheap" to you? What a laugh..A "cheap" laugh at that.."Cheap"...
Instead of demolishing it they should take some homeless volunteers to fix it up for a place to train, teach and house those on the streets, kind of a pay it forward type place for the PNW area. It would not only get people off the streets, train others some new trades, give those experience, put give them something to be prideful for and make them want to be better and gain a historical building in the process. Big companies around Seattle should get together and contribute to get the project up and get it up and running. Have the community to give a care as much as they want to see change and Seattle restored in many ways to one of the greatest cities on the west coast. Maybe some people need hope for the future.
I know those developers ain't even from WA state I bet If they were They sure as hell wouldn't do that crap How about they do that to there own people in there own hometowns and see what people think about them
Why not turn this into a homeless community center? With the amount of homelessness growing every day… just imagine how many people could have a roof over their heads if this were refurbished and cleaned up.
I think there’s something seriously wrong with the building’s plumbing or something major structural like that which is why it’s prohibitively expensive to fix.
Because they would take care of it with less concern than they take for their own bodies. I see your point, but giving access to societies derelicts, nothing good could come if it. This is THE MOST VALUABLE chunk of real estate in the state. I hope some billionaire with a sense of historical value purchases it to make it again a place of splendor, before greedy lawyers and the like turn it into condos or cracker box’s for the affluent (on the view side) and low income (future slums) on the east non view Engel of the property.
Why can’t this huge lovely bldg be used to house homeless folks and get them off the streets?? Maybe even create some jobs and be a center for recovery, mental health help and job training and placement- even room for sports and families
The cost to renovate with earthquakes in mind and energy..you are asking a lot.if the government took it for low income housing, would you be ok getting a higher tax on something to foot the bill? Low income housing is never kept up, either.
They can’t make this beautiful building a museum or luxury hotel? It’s right by the water!
I've been inside ( during the 1970's) and it's a beautiful old building. It's a pity there are not more people who still appreciate the workmanship of the older architecture. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
My Mom was a baker here in the 60's when I was in high school
I love architecture. Having lived in cities like London and New York City I'm very aware of gems that were lost but also how much it takes to either restore or maintain buildings like this. There has to be a market value.
McMenamins hotels and restaurants are famous for bringing back properties and they are wonderful and employing artists and craftsman to bring back or maintain what was.. but there has to be a market. For example McMenamins took a poor house outside of Portland Oregon from the 1920s that sat vacant for decades and turned into a wonderful hotel. But both in time saving and not to destroy the original architecture and strength, they didn't turn every room into an ensuite bathroom etc.. you have a wonderful room and do go to loos and showers on each floor. I absolutely love that property but I have worked in events and I appreciate the original architecture.
Most travelers would whine about not having an ensuite bathroom. But then again 8 out of every $10 mcmenamin makes is on booze, the bars, and the multiple events they have every weekend. They carry the properties. McM's has also restored seaside resorts and schools, but they are the exception.
Everyone says "let's save it!"! But it takes a lot of money. This report doesn't list how many rooms but I've never heard of Des moines, is it even close to something marketable? Waters? Mountains? Hiking trails?.. all of this has to be taken into consideration. Lower income housing sounds great, but is there adequate staffing in the area? Dorm style means a lot of maintenance on shared bathrooms. But it probably has a wonderful cafeteria setup so this would be a possibility.
Masonic Halls are known for their gilded era extravagance and beautiful craftsmanship.. There is a masonic hall in almost every large city, InterContinental hotels took over one in Chicago and it is one of the better hotels in chicago. But once again, that takes a LOT of money.
Please save this piece of history. It's been in my life since i was born. Once history is gone you can't get it back. Save the beautiful past.
What a beautiful building, inside and out. I sure hope they can save it and find investors able to keep it.
I think it should be restored
With older folks needing more respect and care, why not keep it for them? On the other hand to rehabilitate it for today's realistic weather, energy, and earthquake standards may be impossible. It is a huge building that may not be safe. I would love to see it. Does it have hidden mystery rooms or tunnels?
Save that building
There are grants the state gives developers to save historical buildings like this one. Once gone its GONE. If buildings much older than this one can be saved, so can this one. I have been inside this beautiful building,I even have a favorite room. The community rooms are incredible. The grounds are gorgeous. When we are on the water, that's how we find Des Moines. Marinas are a dime a dozen. Historic buildings like this one are unique. Another thing, What will be the environmental impact of destroying this building? The area is already desperately trying to save the few Orcas we have left because Chinook Salmon are also disappearing. The city has already lost a bunch of historic buildings. The one thing that makes Des Moines unique is about to be destroyed. Another thing that is bothering many of us is that the proposed use is a mystery to everyone. I just cannot believe the city did not jump to protect it from the start.
This is THE definition of the disposable society we, as Americans have become if this Grand structure is demolished!!!
That structure would be phenomenal for market-rate seniors. Perhaps seek variances on the surrounding green space for additional living units?
I have so many memories there, trick-or-treat when I was little and a warming shelter during a blackout. It should be saved and preserved.
All it would take to save this magnificent piece of history would be for the City of Des Moines to decide that it wants to find a way to preserve it instead of submitting to the will of the developer that bought it. There is federal, state and private money available to create a public/private partnership that would be a win-win-win for the developer, the city and the region.
But the Mayor of Des Moines is a middle manager at Nordstrom. He's no match for a developer with deep pockets, and he's scared to death of a lawsuit, so he's going to bend over backwards to make sure the demolition is allowed to proceed. It wouldn't be a surprise if the developer has provided him with other personal incentives to make sure nothing stops it.
What they have done in England (I watch a lot of restoring vids) is turn buildings like this in to Condos. Grand Condos. I have no idea if this city is a place that would work but this building deserves to serve a different purpose and be saved.
If you search Preserve Landmark on the Sound Petition, you can sign and share. I can't post the hyperlink because I think UA-cam is deleting it. Thanks for your support! It's not the Change petition. It's the Preserve Landmark on the Sound page.
Thanks signed & shared
@@Sindollx666x Thanks for the support!
If you search Preserve Landmark on the Sound Petition, you can sign and share. We can't post the hyperlink because UA-cam is deleting it. Thanks for your support! It's not the Change petition. It's the Preserve Landmark on the Sound page.
Keep these buildings, and stop these developers from tearing down buildings only to build cheap three story houses. Everywhere I look trees, almost forests are disappearing in Washington state to cheaply made houses!!! For example, sunrise Blvd E in puyallup just past Fredmeyer. The trees that use to be there, are now taken down for cheap houses and apartments. In just a few short years Washington isnt going to be an Evergreen state but become a Barren state!!! Sunrise Blvd E had a beautiful scenery with the background of Mt Rainier, soon will be a sea of cheap houses!!
But what about the "cheap apartments"? Average price of "cheap"single family houses in Puyallup,Wa. is $585,000...Average "cheap"apartment rent in Puyallup Wa. is $1,900. a month..Those are "cheap" to you? What a laugh..A "cheap" laugh at that.."Cheap"...
So beautiful! Save her and do something great with it
I wonder what the care home next door thinks about this? I see this would be great for low income seniors.
Why not use it for housing??
Instead of demolishing it they should take some homeless volunteers to fix it up for a place to train, teach and house those on the streets, kind of a pay it forward type place for the PNW area. It would not only get people off the streets, train others some new trades, give those experience, put give them something to be prideful for and make them want to be better and gain a historical building in the process. Big companies around Seattle should get together and contribute to get the project up and get it up and running. Have the community to give a care as much as they want to see change and Seattle restored in many ways to one of the greatest cities on the west coast. Maybe some people need hope for the future.
C'mon man! Some POS developer wants that land to build sardine can apartments or something.
I know
those developers ain't even from
WA state I bet
If they were
They sure as hell wouldn't do that crap
How about they do that to there own people in there own hometowns and see what people think about them
@@spensinthevalley3099 How could you think that? More of those into an already busy location? Sounds like a win to me...
@@spensinthevalley3099 Maybe I just hate the look of stacked apartments everywhere, guess that's on me.
Drove by that place is huge and right on the water great property
Would be felonious to destroy that Grand building! I've admired it for 50 years.
it's a beautiful place, please save 🙏 😢
Wow. Put that into a affordable housing project.
It would be a shame to tear it down, we need to preserve buildings on the west coast or we'll never have any history for tourism
Nobody tours Des Moines for “history” as it is lol
@@goudagrishhdoe8925 there's no history left on the West Coast because we've been constantly tearing it down
Would be a shame to destroy such a beautiful building, if the funding comes available why not save it it. 🙏
This place must not going under demolition. In fact, there is a way and a purpose that can clean things up
Don't destroy a beauty that took a lot of work & money to build, use it for something else: a school or academy, some useful purpose
My Mom was a baker here when I was in high school.
If I came up with a good amount of cash, I talk them into converting it into a public library/ museum.
Rehab center for the homeless?
Why not turn it into a veterans home?
Why not turn this into a homeless community center? With the amount of homelessness growing every day… just imagine how many people could have a roof over their heads if this were refurbished and cleaned up.
We have perfectly good buildings possibly being demolished, but hundreds living on the streets.
I think there’s something seriously wrong with the building’s plumbing or something major structural like that which is why it’s prohibitively expensive to fix.
I was wondering that too
Because they would take care of it with less concern than they take for their own bodies.
I see your point, but giving access to societies derelicts, nothing good could come if it.
This is THE MOST VALUABLE chunk of real estate in the state.
I hope some billionaire with a sense of historical value purchases it to make it again a place of splendor, before greedy lawyers and the like turn it into condos or cracker box’s for the affluent (on the view side) and low income (future slums) on the east non view Engel of the property.
Just turn it into stupid apartments.
Housing for the house-less!
How can the Freemasons alow it's destruction??????????? They've already abandoned this country 😢
Why can’t this huge lovely bldg be used to house homeless folks and get them off the streets?? Maybe even create some jobs and be a center for recovery, mental health help and job training and placement- even room for sports and families
500 month rent for the rooms
TURN IT INTO LOW RENT HOUSING, WITH SO MANY NEEDING A PLACE TO LIVE IT'S A SHAME TO LEAVE IT EMPTY THEN DISTROY IT!!!
Exactly what I'm thinking!
The cost to renovate with earthquakes in mind and energy..you are asking a lot.if the government took it for low income housing, would you be ok getting a higher tax on something to foot the bill? Low income housing is never kept up, either.
Reminds me of the Overlook hotel in The Shining. lol
woooow
Let me guess, they want to put up more low income housing. Smh.
Preserve it and house the homeless
BET IT'S SUPER HAUNTED!🤪🤪
House the homeless
Repurpose the land as a park. Plant trees.
Let homeless rent it out
What a great way to house some homeless….. potential
ALL BY DESIGN. CHINA 🇨🇳
House some orphans, not hobo housing.
ORPHANS!!
Homeless shelter
Turn those into apartment
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣