Address: 1302 Pacific Avenue
Construction date: 1891
Demolished: 2009
Architects:
Daniel Burnham and John Root.
Architectural/Historic Significance:
Built in 1890-91, the building’s significance stems from its breakthrough design and from the fame of the Chicago architects who designed it, Daniel Burnham and John Root, considered among the fathers of the American skyscraper. The Luzon was a transition building for the firm because it incorporated a relatively light steel framework along with traditional masonry construction. Before the Luzon era, major buildings were limited in height because all of their weight was borne by their thick masonry walls. Once Burnham and Root substituted steel framework for the heavy masonry, taller buildings became a possibility. The Luzon was one of two Burnham and Root buildings in Tacoma, the other, the 12 story Fidelity Building at South 11th and Broadway, was torn down in the early 1950s.
Demolished September 2009
In 2008, The Gintz Group proposed a complete renovation of the Luzon Building with an estimated project cost of $8.1M. The developer was approved for federal tax credits and arranged a 15-month no-interest loan from the City of Tacoma to help finance the project. Unable to obtain financing, in mid-April 2009, the Gintz Group put the building back on the market. In early August, LI Investments proposed a $6M project, but their purchase offer was rejected by Gintz.
The property was listed on the local, state and national registers of historic places and was one of Tacoma’s foremost architectural treasures. Due to its condition of "progressive collapse" and public safety risk, and failure of the owner to take action to stabilize or rehabilitate the building, the City demolished the building in late September 2009.
Posted 9/28/09
