Our Building
Built in 1929, the geometric lines of our building's exterior follow a restrained art deco style. Constructed as Boeing's headquarters, this was a building built by engineers for engineers. There was no need for gilded interiors or exteriors commonly associated with the art deco era. But this is not an ordinary building. Its simple lines mask engineering and building innovations contained within its walls.
The building's tall ceilings, generous natural light and location made it an ideal site for the SEATTLE MART, but transforming a historic building with decades of renovations into a wholesale mart required a complete interior renovation. This meant removing walls, lighting fixtures and stripping floors down to the concrete while preserving as many architectural features as possible.
Our beautiful building (200 SW Michigan Street) was constructed in 1929 and served as Boeing’s original headquarters following its startup days on the shores of Lake Union. It was part of several buildings known as "Plant 1."
Bill Boeing purchased the Duwamish River site for Plant 1 from a bankrupt shipyard builder for $10 dollars in 1909 and with an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, built his company on the site over the next 50 years. The third floor served as Bill Boeing's office and that many of Boeing's engineers and administrative staff. It is one of two remaining buildings from Plant 1. The other, Red Barn Building 105, was relocated to Museum of Flight in the 1970s when the majority of Plant 1 was sold to the Port of Seattle.
The SEATTLE MART is proud to call it our home and carry its spirit forward into a new chapter.