Storage Buildings that Made History

Mar 31, 2023 / Ann Griffith

Many Public Storage units are housed in prominent historic landmarks, and sometimes, as in our storage building on Lake Union in Seattle, they have pretty terrific views.

Space Needle view from the window of Public Storage Seattle

This is where Henry Ford built one of his first regional assembly plants in 1913, moving Model T modules from Detroit, thorough his lines, and out to an eager public.

The handsome Public Storage 700 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle was architect designed with Neo-classic details. Now a historic landmark in a neighborhood that has grown up around it, with Amazon headquarters just a few blocks away, it still commands attention at the southeast edge of Lake Union. And unlike many industrial buildings, it has million dollar views: of the Space Needle, boats and green hillsides.

view from the roof of Public Storage 700 Fairview Ave N Seattle WA 98109

Public Storage renovated a separate neighboring building at the same address just this year, the former Fuller Paint Company, adding four additional floors at the back to accommodate more storage. You can see it and the old ford plant in the historic photo below. Both were significantly altered before Public Storage purchased them from another storage company.

vintage photo of Fuller building that is now Public Storage South Lake Union Seattle renovated Public Storage South Lake Union Seattle

by Ann Griffith

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