Butterworth Building

Seattle, Washington

Historic Seattle building fire restoration.

The Butterworth Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), is located in Seattle, Washington. Built in 1903, it was originally home to Seattle’s first mortuary. Today, the building houses Kell’s Irish Restaurant & Pub.

The historic building sustained damage from a fire that destroyed part of the roof. Although the roof was already scheduled for partial replacement, the fire necessitated a complete replacement, including the structural elements. We were contracted to restore the building to its former glory.

Building Type

Office/Retail/Mixed Use

Scope

Historic Building Fire Restoration

The Challenge

In addition to the roof replacement, the building suffered water damage when firefighters extinguished the fire. As a result, the second-floor ceiling had to be removed and replaced, and some electrical work was necessary to complete these repairs.

The Butterworth Building features a chapel on the 3rd and 4th floors, which was originally used by the mortuary in the early 1900s. The restoration work needed to be carefully executed to protect what remained intact and to restore any damaged areas using period-appropriate materials and techniques.

The Solution

To protect the building from Seattle’s rainy weather during the renovation, an extensive temporary roof was constructed. The chapel, which features striking vaulted ceilings, intricate plaster reliefs, and elegant crown moldings, was fully restored. Additionally, the wooden stairwells and Newell posts in the common areas, as well as the hallways with charming penny tile flooring, were preserved and revitalized, incorporating many period-appropriate elements throughout the space.

Effective collaboration and clear communication kept the project on schedule, ensured the client was updated, and facilitated the safe return of occupants as quickly as possible.

Butterworth Seattle building fire repair exterior

Our work fully restored the historic character and beauty of this gorgeous Seattle building.

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