Metropolitan Building Company records

Metropolitan Building Company records, 1879-1954

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Metropolitan Building Company (Seattle, Wash.)
Title: Metropolitan Building Company records
Dates: 1879-1954 (inclusive)
18791954
Quantity: 1.45 cubic feet (2 boxes, 1 folder)
Collection Number: 1297
Summary: Records documenting the activities of the property management company responsible for adminstering the lease on the University's Metropolitan Tract, located in downtown Seattle
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: Presume open to all users.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Territorial University of Washington was established in 1861 on Denny's Knoll in Seattle, a ten acre parcel of land donated by Arther A. Denny, Charles Terry, and Edward Lander. In 1894, the University of Washingon relocated to its present site and the Board of Regents awarded a lease to develop and manage the Metropolitan Tract to James Moore, who transferred the lease to the Metropolitan Building Company in 1907. The property management company continued to administer the lease for the Metropolitan Tract for the next forty-seven years. The White, Henry, Stuart, Cobb, Douglas, Stimson and Skinner Buildings were constructed during this time, as were the Metropolitan Theatre and the Olympic Hotel and Garage. In 1953, the University signed a 35-year ground lease with University Properties (now Unico). The lease was later extended to 2014.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Correspondence, minutes, annual reports, legal documents, directories, handbooks, newsletters, design drawings, photographs, maps; 1879-1954.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 2 accessions:

Accession No. 1297-001, Metropolitan Building Company records, 1934
Accession No. 1297-002, Metropolitan Building Company records, 1879-1954

Acquisition Information

Received December 4, 1969 and January 28, 2005.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Accession No. 1297-001: Metropolitan Building Company records, 1934Return to Top

0.03 cubic feet (1 folder)

Scope and Content: Letter, report, consolidated balance sheet; 1934.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received December 4, 1969.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Accession No. 1297-002: Metropolitan Building Company records, 1879-1954Return to Top

1.42 cubic feet (2 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, annual reports, legal documents, directories, handbooks, newsletters, design drawings, photographs, maps; 1879-1954.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Received from UNICO, January 28, 2005.

Processing Info: Minimally processed.

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Accession
1	1297-002	Index Scope and Content: Item-level listing of records in this accession supplied by the office.	undated
1	1297-002	Original Documents	1907-1954
1	1297-002	Certified/Conformed Copies of Documents	1904-1952
1	1297-002	Correspondence	1908-1936
1	1297-002	Annual Reports	1944-1953
1	1297-002	Tenant Directories	1921-1951
1	1297-002	Building Handbooks	1912-1926
1	1297-002	MBC Files	1891-1953
1	1297-002	Tract Diagrams	1908-1952
1	1297-002	Original Correspondence	1948
1	1297-002	Other Miscellaneous Correspondence/Documents	1923-1933
1	1297-002	Miscellaneous	1899-1954
1	1297-002	Maps	1879
2	1297-002	Pictures/Artwork	undated
2	1297-002	The Metropolitan Bulletin	1909-1931
2	1297-002	Skyline (MBC Employee Newsletter)	1926-1927
2	1297-002	Metropolitan Center News	1927

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