A new era is about to unfold for the historic Louisa Hotel in Seattle. The site of the worst massacre in this city's history, this building in the heart of Chinatown/International District, will soon reopen as brand-new apartments.
The owners, Tanya Woo and her family, said this renovation project took years and millions of dollars to complete but it was worth it.
“It took us a long time to find a partner to help invest in reconstruction,” said Woo. "And we are excited that their priority was to offer workforce housing, which we need in this district in Chinatown.”
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Construction began in December 2017 and work got underway to restore the brick building at the corner of Seventh Avenue and King Street.
The Louisa Hotel now houses 84 new studios and one-bedroom apartments, and about half of the units showcase original wooden doors, trim and windows.
“We were getting a historical tax credit so we had to save a lot of things, salvage a lot of things,” said Woo.
The Louisa Hotel is a building filled with history.
It was the site of the Wah Mee Massacre in 1983 that left 13 people dead.
Then, three decades later, a massive fire on Christmas Eve demolished part of the building and left it vacant, until now.
The restored hotel and apartments will also have room for seven retailers, which will include restaurants, an ice cream shop and a bookstore.
For Aaron Crosleycone, the owner of World Pizza shop across the street, the new Louisa Hotel means more business and more neighbors watching out for each other.
“Both of our neighbors have been broken into several times over the past several years,” said Crosleycone. “That will add eyes to our streets and make it a lot safer.”
The apartments will be income restricted, with rents ranging between $700 and $1,500 a month.
The first tenants will move in this coming weekend.
A grand opening celebration is planned for noon on Monday.
Cox Media Group
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