The Spokane Historic Landmarks Commission requires additional design review for proposed dwellings on the Chancery Building lot

Centennial Real Estate Investments’ plans to demolish the historic Chancery Building remain on hold pending the finalization of the design of a proposed residential development on the site.

The Spokane Historic Landmarks Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to require a second review of the proposed apartment complex with proposals to change the building’s color and materials.

Centennial filed a permit with the city in November to demolish the Chancery Building and replace it with a four-story, 37,000-square-foot condominium. The city withheld approval until the Landmarks Commission reviewed the proposed housing development and made a decision.

Although the Chancery Building at 1023 W. Riverside Ave. Part of the Riverside Avenue Historic District, it is not individually listed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places or the National Register of Historic Places. Under city ordinances, buildings that are part of a historic district may be demolished if replaced with a Landmarks Commission-approved structure.

However, the Landmarks Commission has no authority to refuse or delay the demolition of any building.

Some members of the Landmarks Commission and the public have expressed concern about the type of materials incorporated into the development’s design.

While other buildings in the Riverside Avenue Historic District are made of brick, stone, and tile, the proposed housing development would include “middle-class building materials” such as sheet metal, Cordova stone, and vinyl windows, according to a Landmarks Commission staff report.

The employee report suggested that Centennial should consider reducing various materials in the building to make it more compatible with other structures in the Riverside Avenue Historic District.

“I think there’s just way too much material on this building and I think simplifying it is a step in the right direction,” said session attendee Sev Jones.

Jones said the proposed condominium is a “very modern building” that he would expect to find in Kendall Yards.

“I think it’s a very nice looking building. I think it has its place, but I don’t think the style of the building complements[the neighborhood],” he said. “In fact, I think it takes away from the vitality and what you have in this district.”

Jodi Kittel, a member of the Landmarks Commission, sponsored a second review of the project’s building materials.

“We don’t allow vinyl windows in historic buildings. If we lose a valuable historical property, why should we think that’s okay? … I disagree with the materiality part. I think it needs to be checked again before we approve it,” she said.

The Landmarks Commission staff report indicates that the “replacement structure” for the Chancery Building must be the same size or larger and must comply with zoning and design guidelines.

The Chancery Building was constructed in 1910 and designed by famed architect Kirtland Cutter as the Western Union Life Building. It was expanded and redesigned in 1924 by another notable architect, Gustav Pehrson.

Cowles Real Estate Co. acquired the Chancery Building from the Spokane Catholic Diocese in 2007 for more than $2 million, according to the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.

The Chancery Building, located in the heart of Spokane’s Riverside Avenue Historic District, housed the diocese for more than 53 years.

Centennial Real Estate Investments is the real estate division of Cowles Co., which also publishes The Spokesman-Review.

Centennial Real Estate Investments will consider comments as it moves forward with the design of the proposed housing development, said Doug Yost, vice president of development and acquisitions.

“In terms of materials and recommendation, we’re trying to build quality materials into the building,” Yost said. “And based on the comments, we can keep looking at that.”