How Did the Former Ford Plant Become a Seattle Storage Location?
Sep 8, 2026 / Ann Griffith
The Public Storage location at 700 Fairview Avenue N in Seattle occupies a historic Lake Union building that began as a Ford assembly plant in 1913. The site sits near South Lake Union, with views toward the Space Needle, Lake Union, boats, and surrounding hillsides.
The property includes the original Ford building and a neighboring former Fuller Paint Company building that Public Storage renovated to add storage space.
Seattle Lake Union Storage Essentials:
- The building at 700 Fairview Avenue N began as a Ford regional assembly plant in 1913.
- Ford moved Model T components from Detroit through the Seattle plant for regional assembly.
- The building includes Neo-classical architectural details.
- The former Ford plant is a historic landmark near the southeast edge of Lake Union.
- Public Storage later expanded the neighboring former Fuller Paint Company building.
- The location is near Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood and the Amazon headquarters area.
Seattle Lake Union Building History at a Glance:
What Is the History of the Public Storage Building on Lake Union?
The Lake Union Public Storage building began as a Ford regional assembly plant in 1913. Ford used the facility to assemble Model T components shipped from Detroit for customers in the Pacific Northwest.
The building remains a visible historic structure at the southeast edge of Lake Union. Its Neo-classical design distinguishes it from many industrial buildings in the area.
Where Is the Historic Ford Assembly Plant in Seattle?
The former Ford assembly plant is located at 700 Fairview Avenue N in Seattle, near South Lake Union. The site is close to the lake, the Space Needle, and the Amazon headquarters area.
The building now operates as a Public Storage location. It remains part of a neighborhood that has changed from an industrial area into a major Seattle employment and residential district.
How Did the Former Ford Plant Become a Storage Location?
Public Storage acquired the former Ford plant after it had already been converted from its original industrial purpose. The company also renovated the neighboring former Fuller Paint Company building at the same address.
The neighboring building received four additional floors at the rear to add storage space. Both buildings had been substantially modified before Public Storage acquired the property.
What Makes the Lake Union Public Storage Building Historic?
The Lake Union Public Storage building is historic because of its connection to Ford’s early regional assembly operations in Seattle. The 1913 structure also retains Neo-classical architectural details and occupies a prominent location on Lake Union.
The building connects Seattle’s industrial history with the present-day South Lake Union neighborhood. Its location provides views of Lake Union, boats, green hillsides, and the Space Needle.
How Has South Lake Union Changed Around the Historic Building?
South Lake Union has changed from an industrial district into a major employment, residential, and commercial area. The historic Ford building remains at the neighborhood’s edge near Lake Union while newer development has expanded around it.
The property is a reminder of the area’s manufacturing history. It also shows how older Seattle buildings can continue serving new uses over time.
Explore Seattle Storage Near Lake Union.
The historic Public Storage building at 700 Fairview Avenue N connects Seattle’s early automotive history with present-day storage needs near South Lake Union. Compare nearby Public Storage locations, unit sizes, and available features before reserving space for permitted household items.
Historic building. Modern storage.
Seattle Lake Union Storage FAQs
What was the Public Storage building at 700 Fairview Avenue N originally used for?
The building originally operated as a Ford regional assembly plant beginning in 1913. It assembled Model T components shipped from Detroit for the Pacific Northwest.
Where is the historic Ford assembly plant in Seattle?
The former Ford assembly plant is at 700 Fairview Avenue N near the southeast edge of Lake Union. The building now operates as a Public Storage location.
What architectural style does the Lake Union Public Storage building have?
The building includes Neo-classical architectural details. Its design helps it stand out among former industrial buildings near Lake Union.
What building did Public Storage renovate next to the former Ford plant?
Public Storage renovated the neighboring former Fuller Paint Company building at the same address. The renovation added four floors at the rear for additional storage space.
What Seattle landmarks are near the Lake Union Public Storage building?
The location is near South Lake Union, the Space Needle, Lake Union, and the Amazon headquarters area.
