YWCA demolition allowed

Demolition of the former YWCA building on the Spokane River’s north bank has been given the go ahead, following a recent decision by the Spokane Historic Landmarks Commission. Removal of the complex – a collection of 127-year-old brewery buildings and YWCA structures from the 1965 – was in doubt after a hold was placed on the demolition permit on Dec. 3 by the city’s historic preservation office.

Section:Gallery

Sat., Jan. 5, 2019

The former YWCA complex of buildings at the corner of Broadway Ave. and Lincoln St., perched on the north bank of the Spokane River, has been empty since the YWCA co-located with the new YMCA in 2009. The complex includes some buildings leftover from the large brewery that once sat there.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The former YWCA complex of buildings at the corner of Broadway Ave. and Lincoln St., perched on the north bank of the Spokane River, has been empty since the YWCA co-located with the new YMCA in 2009. The complex includes some buildings leftover from the large brewery that once sat there.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The former YWCA complex of buildings at the corner of Broadway Ave. and Lincoln St. has been empty since the YWCA co-located with the new YMCA in 2009. The complex includes some buildings leftover from the large brewery that once sat there.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The old YWCA complex, which incorporated parts of the old brewery that stood there since the 1890s, is being prepared for demolition before redevelopment at the corner of Lincoln and Broadway, shown Thursday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The old YWCA complex, which incorporated parts of the old brewery that stood there since the 1890s, is being prepared for demolition before redevelopment, shown Thursday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The empty YWCA buildings that sit on Broadway Ave. may soon become a 13-story business and residential tower. The buildings have an unrestricted view of the Spokane River. Shown Thursday, May 25, 2017.

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The former YWCA site in Spokane may become a new residential and office tower. Site shown Thursday, May 25, 2017.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The former YWCA site in Spokane may become a new residential and office tower. Site shown Thursday, May 25, 2017.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Site of Spokane's New YWCA can be seen in this 1963 photo.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
In this 1964 photo, Mrs. Wayne H. Chapman, left, a YWCA vice president, and Mrs. Will Lorenz, president, inspect progress at the site of the new YWCA building just after receiving word that the campaign for building funds has been successful. The section of the former Rainier Brewery property shown here is being razed and will be replaced by a new structure to be joined to two other existing buildings.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
In this 1964 photo, construction projects are changing the looks of the Spokane River area along Howard and Lincoln north of the downtown railroad trackage, Number 1 in the picture above, is the site of the new YWCA building, the former Rainier Brewery. Number 2 is the $350,000 Polynesia Restaurant. Number 3 is the recently completed J.L. Cooper office building and Number 4, new YMCA.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
Flames from the 1963 fire that burned the old Rainier Brewery, which was soon replaced by the YWCA building. The blaze was out of control for an hour. The property is now being proposed to be redeveloped into high-rise towers.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
1903 Spokesman-Review featuring the YWCA in Spokane.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr