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"Tenass Chuck" Grows Up
By Katie Kemezis
Escape the trill of the trolley and the din of construction by wandering the streets of the historic Cascade neighborhood in South Lake Union.
This tour weaves together the history of a vibrant neighborhood with the historic buildings of the industrial landscape as well
as the recently built apartment buildings and businesses, like REI's flagship store.
The Russian orthodox St. Spiridon found on Yale Avenue reflects the diverse and dynamic history of the area. Although not the original home of the parish, the 1938 church designed by Ivan M. Palmov became the beloved home of the Russian Orthodox congregation in the neighborhood. Despite its small size, the robust church reflects its faith with trademark nine onion domes and mesmerizing icons. Russians joined Swedes Germans, Greeks, and other nationalities to work in the breweries, laundries, saw mills, coal processing plants at the end of the 19th century. Now, I-5 churns just a couple blocks away from the church; it represents the divisive urban projects of the mid-20th century which isolated the Cascade neighborhood and lead to its decline.
New projects like Alley 24, designed by NBBJ, bring more life into this community with new restaurants, shops, and homes.
By incorporating the impressive facade of the New Richmond Laundry, built in 1917, Alley 24, with its minimalist modern architecture and
green technology focus, gives respect to the past as well as the present.
It also spans the gap between the quiet, small-scale residential buildings and the tall commercial buildings of Eastlake Avenue.
The project, located just across the street from the Cascade People's Center and the former site of the Cascade School, emphasizes the traditional hub of the neighborhood.
The Cascade Tour travels through the history of South Lake Union to enjoy the past as well as celebrate the future of the neighborhood.
With the stark industrial brick buildings of early 1900s, quaint wooden homes from the 1930s, a mid-century concrete warehouse, and REI's forest landscape, this tour feasts on numerous eras of architecture. From preservation to LEED certification, the Cascade Tour will have one considering the forces reshaping this community and the South Lake Union neighborhood.
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Photo: Lora Lee. All imagery featured on this site is the sole copyright of the photographer and is used by permission.
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