Where is the Maynard Building located?

The Maynard Building is located at 119 1st Avenue South in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

What is the Maynard Building known for?

It is known as a Romanesque Revival structure that originally served as the Dexter Horton Building and the site of Seattle’s first bank. It is also associated with Seattle’s official Datum Point, established at the former bank doorway step.

What is the architectural style of the building?

The building features a Romanesque Revival design attributed to architect Albert Wickersham, with influences from Louis Sullivan and H. H. Richardson. It is constructed with St. Louis gray brick and Bellingham Bay sandstone, featuring an arched entrance portal with double columns.

When was the building constructed and renamed?

The building was constructed in 1892 as the Dexter Horton Building and was renamed the Maynard Building in 1906 to honor Seattle co-founder David Swinson "Doc" Maynard.

Are there any notable historical events associated with the site?

During the Seattle riot of 1886, Governor Watson Squire's martial law decree was read from the steps of the building that previously occupied the site.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Maynard Building in Seattle

What to know

The Maynard Building stands as a testament to early Seattle's ambition, located at 119 1st Avenue South in the heart of Pioneer Square. Constructed in 1892 and designed by architect Albert Wickersham, the building was originally known as the Dexter Horton Building and served as the home of Dexter Horton's banking business, which eventually evolved into Seafirst Bank. The structure is a five-story Romanesque Revival building, featuring a handsome stone exterior of St. Louis gray brick and Bellingham Bay sandstone. Visually, the building is organized like an early skyscraper, possessing a distinct base, shaft, and top. Its architectural influence is drawn from the works of Louis Sullivan and H. H. Richardson, which is evident in the arched entrance portal with double columns and carved capitals. Internally, the building features 12- to 14-foot ceilings and a unique open building core, spanning approximately 30,562 to 33,300 square feet across its five floors. In 1906, the building was renamed the Maynard Building to honor David Swinson "Doc" Maynard, a co-founder of Seattle, on whose land claim the building sits. The site has also witnessed significant historical events, such as the reading of Governor Watson Squire's martial law decree during the Seattle riot of 1886 from the steps of the earlier building on this site. To ensure its longevity, the building underwent a major refurbishment and seismic reinforcement between 1974 and 1975, purchased by gallery owner Richard White and developer Alan Black. More recently, in 2020, the building was sold to Martin Smith Inc. for $8.375 million.

Visitor tips

Look for the arched entrance portal with double columns and carved capitals on the ground floor.
Observe the St. Louis gray brick and Bellingham Bay sandstone exterior to appreciate the Romanesque Revival style.
Check the doorway step of the former bank to find Seattle's official Datum Point, the reference point for all city elevations.

Nearby context

The Maynard Building is located in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, Seattle's original settlement area, where it remains a cornerstone of the కుటుంబం of Romanesque Revival architecture that defines the కుటుంబం of the district's early commercial buildings.

Quick facts