Why is the General Administration Building being demolished?

The building is being demolished because it has been vacant since 2018, is no longer up to code, contains hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint, and renovation was deemed more expensive than replacement.

When will the demolition of the General Administration Building be completed?

Demolition of the General Administration Building is scheduled to wrap up in November.

Are any parts of the General Administration Building being saved?

Yes, historic elements such as a mosaic mural and the building's bronze seal are being preserved, along with exterior sandstone and granite elements.

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State Demolishes Iconic Mid-Century Building

21 Apr

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Summary

A historic modernist building designed by A. Gordon Lumm is being demolished.
Renovating the General Administration Building was deemed too costly.
Historic elements like a mosaic mural and bronze seal are being preserved.

State Demolishes Iconic Mid-Century Building

The General Administration Building, a notable example of post-WWII modernist architecture and the International Style, is slated for demolition on the Washington state Capitol campus. Designed by Tacoma architect A. Gordon Lumm and completed in 1956, the six-story structure has been vacant since 2018 and poses health hazards due to asbestos and lead paint.

State officials determined that renovating the 283,865-square-foot building would be more expensive than demolition. The current demolition project is budgeted at $16.5 million, with major work expected to conclude by November. This process began in mid-August, with crews already removing interior and exterior elements.