Old City Hall - Tacoma, Washington
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 47° 15.439 W 122° 26.440
10T E 542318 N 5233911
Constructed in 1893, the Old City Hall of Tacoma showcased the Italian Renaissance style of Architecture.
Waymark Code: WMTF6
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2006
Views: 59
In 1893, Tacoma’s Old City Hall was constructed at South 7th Street and Pacific Avenue. The Italian Renaissance style building, designed by E. A. Hatherton of San Francisco, features pressed brickwork, terra cotta ornamentation, and a copper tiled roof. The stately, ornate building with its arched and bracketed clock tower reflects the civic pride and promise of Tacoma immediately before the nationwide economic crash in the spring of 1893.
The brick walls at the base of the structure are eight feet thick and were made with bricks brought as ballast on ships. The clock tower is freestanding and its walls tilt inward as they rise, to increase the sense of height.
In 1959, City of Tacoma offices moved to a modern building with Pierce County offices and the Old City Hall stood vacant for more than 10 years.
During the 1970s it was renovated into boutiques and restaurants, but they did not thrive, and in the 1980s the Old City Hall was converted into professional offices.