Web Feature Posted December 6, 2013

Alexander Hall, a Seattle Landmark, to Be Refurbished

Begun in 1891 and completed in 1893, Alexander Hall is Seattle Pacific University's oldest building. Photo by Luke Rutan.

When Adelaide and Alexander Beers arrived in Seattle in 1893 to run the new school that would one day become Seattle Pacific University, they found an empty red brick building “which was to serve as chapel, classrooms, dining hall, and dormitory.”

Since that time, Alexander Hall — named for Beers, an ardent prohibitionist whose surname didn’t seem an appropriate tribute — has been many things to many generations of Seattle Pacific students. And this year, the historic building is being honored in its own right.

On July 3, 2013, the City of Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board recommended Alexander Hall be designated a historic landmark for its red brick exterior. Next, the Seattle City Council has to approve the designation, which should happen sometime in the next few months. Meanwhile, the four-story building itself is undergoing renovation during the 2013–14 school year. A seismic retrofit of the building’s interior will improve its safety in the event of an earthquake, ensuring that Alexander will continue to serve SPU students, faculty, and staff for years to come.

“This year we will be celebrating the rich history of Alexander Hall, SPU’s oldest building,” says President Dan Martin. “Alexander is a wonderful representation of the students who have gone out, and will go out, from Seattle Pacific to influence the world.”

See Alexander Hall in realtime on the SPU Tiffany Loop South webcam, and visit the Office of Facilities and Project Management for the latest news about Alexander Hall and other campus facility projects.