A look inside the 511 Federal Building

By: Sam Tenney//December 2, 2013//

A look inside the 511 Federal Building

Sam Tenney//December 2, 2013//

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Demolition is slated to start this week on the 511 Federal Building, which will undergo a $32 million renovation to become the new home of the Pacific Northwest College of Art. The building opened as a federal post office in 1919, and in more recent years was home to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and聽 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Carpets, acoustical ceilings, and drywall installed during a 1960’s renovation will be removed to reveal original wood and terra cotta flooring, massive arched windows, and decorative millwork. Partitions added to the ground-floor grand corridor will be removed to allow light to fill the large space. The project’s designer is Allied Works Architecture, and the contractor is Howard S. Wright.