The Castle on Capitol Hill: Seattle’s $1 Million Gamble for a Grand Hotel

The plan selected by the Board.

It Will Be a Magnificent Structure. Work Will Commence at Once and Be Pushed.

To All People, It Will Resemble That of a Feudal Castle. The Hotel Will Undoubtedly Be the Largest in the Northwest—How the Raising of Look-Out.

The Denny hotel board, after due consideration, adopted the plan of Mr. A. V. Jennings, architect, of New York, for the hotel to be built on Capitol Hill, between Second and Fourth, Stewart and Virginia streets. The work of selection has been arduous. About 25 plans were submitted, each of them so excellent that had it been adopted Seattle would have had a hotel creditable alike to Mr. Denny and his associates and to the chief city of Washington.

It will be remembered that on the 11th of September last, Mr. Arthur A. Denny, in obedience to a public spirit which serves as a stimulus to all other enterprising men of Seattle, advertised for competitive designs for a hotel to contain not less than 250 bedrooms, and to cost not less than $500,000. Such designs to be forwarded to this city not later than November 15.

On that day plans from 15 architects had been received, but several delayed en route arrived afterward. It was the sentiment of Mr. Denny and associates that no technicality should be allowed to interfere with the fullest object of the call, and all the plans were considered.

Mr. Denny chose as counselors, or rather as advisers, in this great work, the following well-known citizens: Messrs. Thomas Burke, T. T. Minor, H. G. Struve, J. P. Hoyt, Bailey Gistert, J. U. Scurry, J. D. Littwin and George Kinnear. They incorporated the Denny Hotel Company and compose the board of trustees.

The first session of the board was held November 16, and since then, scarce a day has passed when the board could be brought together, that the work in hand was not forwarded. A number of architects, answering an open invitation, came to Seattle and appeared before the board explaining designs in detail. Each had his turn. Then came the process of "sifting." One by one the designs which by comparison suffered, were laid aside until the number had reached about four. Then it was deemed advisable before making a final election to call into counsel an experienced man. The building might be beautiful in design, its cost within the means at command, the general arrangement satisfactory, but it was essential that the building be perfectly adapted to its offices, and in order to be satisfied on this important point, advice was asked from a man who had run a first-class hotel.

All things considered, after due deliberation, the board decided last night to adopt the design of Mr. Jennings.

THE SITE OF THE HOTEL.

The site of the hotel occupies two blocks—the front of the structure being on Stewart street. The design is modern Gothic, and the material of construction will be stone and brick. Its appearance will somewhat resemble that of an ancient feudal castle, with tower rearing its dome 100 feet in the air over the main entrance. Upon the corners are located side towers, 85 feet high. That upon the southwest is supplemented by an additional tower which allows the small space between to be filled by a tier of billiard rooms.

Two wings extend back from the ends of the main edifice. Between these wings is located the dining room, constructed with an open timber roof.

The main building is four stories with basement but the wings are formed in a mezzanine, giving an additional story up the stone steps from Stewart street, entrance is made into a heavy porte-cochere that opens into the main hall. On the outside, from the porte-cochere, is a brick porch, covered, 18 feet wide, that connects at the southwest corner with a bridge spanning across a gully to a high knoll, upon which is erected a handsome observatory.

The ground plan of the hotel resembles closely that of the famous Raymond at Pasadena. Although the architect was not aware of this similarity until after his design was completed. This floor in the building contains the offices, billiard-rooms and parlors. The upper stories and entire wings will be devoted to bedrooms. It is proposed to finish the interior of this floor in hard wood.

Two elevators will be at the disposal of guests, and the entire building will be fitted with electric bells. Steam will be utilized in heating the structure.

The length of the main building is 200 feet and the wings are each 100 feet. The average height is 72 feet. There are 250 rooms in number. The construction of the hotel is such that all rooms are on the outside and the ventilation will therefore be excellent.

The elevation plan of the Denny Hotel placed in Logan & Hanford show with what promptness a few days ago will be taken up immediate preparation of detail plans and specifications of the hotel. He reports in the course of several weeks the bids for the preparatory work will be opened. He will be superintending the work of construction, either in person or by deputy. It is hoped that the structure be completed and ready for occupancy by July 1, 1890.