What is Queen Anne High School known for?

It is a designated Seattle Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The building is noted for its English Renaissance palace design and its adaptive reuse from a school into residential apartments.

Is it still a school?

No, it closed as a high school in 1981. The building was later converted for residential use and is now known as The Queen Anne Apartments.

What is the history of the building?

Construction began in 1908, and it opened in 1909 (originally named Jefferson High School before being renamed Queen Anne High School later that year). It had additions in 1929 and 1955 before closing in 1981.

What does the architecture look like?

The building reflects English Renaissance palace design and was constructed using terra cotta, concrete, unreinforced masonry, heavy timber, and wood frame.

It is located at 215 Galer Street, Seattle, WA 98109, atop Queen Anne Hill.

What should I check before going?

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

Queen Anne High School in Seattle

Queen Anne High School

A grand English Renaissance palace-style schoolhouse converted into luxury apartments, this Seattle Landmark is a stunning example of early 20th-century civic architecture atop Queen Anne Hill.

Open prototype

Official site

Get directions

What to know

Queen Anne High School is a majestic architectural landmark located at 215 Galer Street. Originally designed by James Stephen, the City of Seattle's official school architect, the building was constructed in 1908 and 1909. It first opened its doors to 613 students and 33 teachers in the autumn of 1909, though it was briefly named Jefferson High School in July 1908 before being renamed Queen Anne High School in October of that same year. The building's design reflects the English Renaissance palace style, utilizing a robust combination of concrete, unreinforced masonry, heavy timber, and terra cotta. To accommodate growth, the school saw significant additions in 1929 and 1955. It served as a community hub for decades until declining enrollments forced its closure as a high school in 1981. Following its closure, the site underwent a significant adaptive reuse process. In 1984, the Seattle School District and Historic Seattle worked with a development company to convert the former classrooms into 139 apartments. This preservation effort ensured the building's historic character remained intact while transitioning to residential use. Today, the site is known as The Queen Anne Apartments. It was designated as a Seattle Landmark in 1985 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The transition from a bustling schoolhouse to high-end condominium apartments, finalized in 2007, preserves one of the hill's most iconic civic structures.

Visitor tips

Walk around the perimeter of the building to appreciate the terra cotta and masonry details.
Visit during the morning light to get the best photographs of the facade.
Respect the residents' privacy as the building is now a private residential complex.

Nearby context

Situated atop Queen Anne Hill, this landmark building anchors the neighborhood's historic character, standing as a testament to the early 20th-century educational infrastructure of Seattle.

Quick facts