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The ZymoGenetics "Steam Plant", The Remodel
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In 1932 the Hydro House was taken out of use and the generators sold. Rumor has it the
generator was bought by a Christian radio station in Ecuador and is still being used
today. The building itself became a storage room for the batteries of the adjacent Steam
Plant. |
The Hydro House, 1993. |
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March 2, 1988, the Landmarks Preservation Board officially designated the Steam Plant
and Hydro House as Historical Landmarks. Zymo's renovation of the Steam Plant began in
May, 1993. An example of the historical preservation work is the intricately detailed City
Light Marquee.(click on image of Marquee for close-up
detail). |
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Historical City Light
Marquee, 1995. |
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With the goal of accommodating increasing growth, while maintaining close proximity to
various key education and research facilities, the Steam Plant became the focus of
ZymoGenetics' expansion plans. |
Lab Bench area. |
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Construction of the $25 million dollar project began in the Spring of 1993
and was completed in June 1994. The Steam Plant building has a total of 107,000 square
feet spread over seven floors, two of which are used for parking. Following the Historical
Landmarks Preservation Board's guidelines, the building exterior maintains its original
character and features. The seven original smokestacks were replaced with six stacks that
serve as exhaust for laboratory ventilation systems. Two full height terra cotta panels
have been restored to their original grandeur with exterior colors selected to compliment
them.
The site has been revitalized to provide a
restful garden setting at the intersection of Fairview and Eastlake; a 350 foot floating
dock which provides public access to the waters of Lake Union; the Hydro House which has
been restored into a public deli with meeting space offered to the community; and the art
piece by Thomas Lindsey entitled Shear Draft that serves as a gateway into the Eastlake
neighborhood.
On September 8, 1994, the Steam Plant Building Dedication was celebrated.
Key Players included:
Koll Company Building Developer
Lease Crutcher Lewis General Contractor
Daly and Associates Exterior Design
NBBJ Interior Design
Ratti, Swenson, Perbix Structural Engineer
Holaday Parks Mechanical Contractor
Cochran Electric Electrical Contractor
Auburn Mechanical Plumbing Contractor
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The Duck Dodge and Sunset photos are by
Fred Housel and the historical photos come courtesy of the Seattle
Post-Intelligencer Collection at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle. Special
appreciation is given to Mary Leck who worked at ZymoGenetics for her original research, photo
collecting and writing of the Steam Plant's history.
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