The Fall of Troy

Photo & Text Copyright 2007 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

This mid 60s metal neon sign has seen better days. Water on the roof reflected shimmering sunset light onto the sign's underside, while pigeons perched on top. It's not quite Googie, but I still love it for the sense of era and the colors. The sign was out of character with the beautiful 1927 brick facade of the main building of the historic Troy Laundry facilities. It sat atop a newer portion of the complex added in the 60s. The original laundry building, designed by architect Victor Voorhees in 1927 and two 1940s additions by Henry Bittman, feature brick work facades detailed with lovely white terra cotta design elements. The laundry does not seem to be operational anymore. In 1948 it was the largest laundry operation in the Pacific Northwest. It now appeares to be used by a local newspaper as a warehouse for news stands and distribution racks. The City's department of Neighborhoods has recommended the complex be designated a landmark in a preservation area of the South Lake Union/Cascade neighborhood (a hot bed of high-tech and bio-research construction and redevelopment at present).
Seattle "Seattle Daily Photo" "historic buildings" architecture sign neon "Troy Laundry" "1960ssign" Googie design "fall of Troy"