Demolition crews level Ballard Denny’s

Posted by Geeky Swedes on June 24th, 2008

First on My Ballard: At 7 a.m. sharp and without any advance warning, a bulldozer went to work on the Ballard Denny’s, just days after the city issued Benaroya Companies a permit to demolish the landmark.

We arrived at 7:30 a.m., and crews had already taken down the sloped roof — the most distinguishing feature of the old Manning’s Cafeteria building at the corner of Market St. and 15th Ave.

A worker sprayed water on the building while the bulldozer methodically tore down the building, piece by piece. Construction workers walked around the perimeter of the fence to ensure nobody tried to get too close to the action.

TV photographers began to appear along with the occasional onlooker, but it was far from the media circus that Benaroya’s PR company sought to avoid. Commuters on their way to work were surprised by the rubble heap, and we heard a horn honk every few minutes.

The demolition went surprisingly fast, and by 8:15 p.m., all but a final section of the building remained. All that’s left is the clean-up work.

Our thanks to Nina and Silver who both emailed us with the news this morning. We quickly sent out a Ballard news alert (you can sign up here) and raced to the scene. Click here to watch video.

Last month: City board votes to allow demolition of Denny’s landmark

Tags: Ballard Facebook

lauram

The name "Benaroya" will long have very negative connotations for me after the way they gamed and grafted the system. Do they think this is Chicago? Maybe that's where we're headed. Do we really want to live in a "only money matters" neighborhood? Having lived in one of those in the real Chicago, I can only assure you it is NOTHING TO ASPIRE TO.

Mazz

Finally!

Joe

Good riddance. The Denny's was an eyesore. It's no comparison with the Twin Teepees.

Joel

>>It’s a fun time now, too, if you make the effort and embrace change and progress. Plus, the new ’shuppies’ still have their fancy coffees and imported horseless carriages.<<

Don't assume I don't agree. I do.

Suthii

"I do think it would have been a fun place to be during that time- anywhere in Seattle"

It's a fun time now, too, if you make the effort and embrace change and progress. Plus, the new 'shuppies' still have their fancy coffees and imported horseless carriages.

Joel

heh heh I think irony has been rather overused in this thread already. :)

Seriously though, I do think it would have been a fun place to be during that time- anywhere in Seattle. Of course, I'm sure you've all the heard the tale of how there was a "law" in Ballard that there had to be a church built for every tavern in those days. Probably BS, but maybe there has always been a good mix of the hoi polloi and the opposite.

Dan

"First Sunset Bowl….now Denny’s….sheesh! Landmarks, people, landmarks!"

I'm still totally surprised people thought of that Denny's as a Seattle landmark. I've lived here most of my 40 years and never considered it one. To me it was a really crappy chain restaurant with a weird roof, it's like whining about a McDonalds built in the '60s getting ripped down. And I think it's totally unfair to compare it to the Sunset Bowl, which was a cool local business I was happy to support and fun to go to. Anyway, whine all you want, it's now gone and many of us are cheering.

Suthii

"As for the shingles, yep, my great-grandfather worked at the Ballard Mill and Stimson’s back in the shingle days."

I don't know, Joel, when all those fancy shingles workers moved into Ballard with their fancy 10 cent coffees, leather shoes, horseless carriages, meat pies and beer in bottles, I say Ballard lost its soul and was never the same again.

Suthii

"Frankly, I’d take a Googie-style architecturally controversial building over a a high-rise/high-end eyesore of a condo building any day"

Then why didn't you buy the land and preserve the Taj Mahal of Seattle?

sweetish

First Sunset Bowl....now Denny's....sheesh! Landmarks, people, landmarks!
This is such a young country to begin with, and our history, heritage and character is wrapped up in these landmarks (however ugly you think the outside of them may be...)
Frankly, I'd take a Googie-style architecturally controversial building over a a high-rise/high-end eyesore of a condo building any day. Those are now a dime a dozen in Ballard.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Edith Macefield, you are my hero.

Joel

>>You paying then?<<

heh heh we'll see...we'll see...

Dan: it was the single worst Denny's on Earth!

Joshua: I don't know, a Tom Douglas joint could do quite well there I would think! It will be mixed use (I think it HAS to be).

Actually, Tom lives in Ballard, so maybe the idea is not so far out. I'm writing a letter. :)

Joshua

Suthii, I'm sorry, but the only thing going in there is another high-rise condo with nail-salons on the first floor. When the Beneroyans (forgive my mispelling) went to the landmarks meeting, they showed that no resturant would be profitable at that location given the amount they paid for the land. The only hope for any developer in ballard is to build hi-rise / hi-end condos. It's the only way to make enough money to pay off the land cost at this point.

Dan

I'm glad to see it go! Ugly ugly building, not old or cool enough to be preserved, plus I really really hated that Denny's, they served the worst excuse for food and we have better non-corporate options like Hattie's or Vera's for breakfast in the neighborhood. It will be sad to see if a bunch of chain stores appear in it's place, but at least it would be chain stores replacing chain stores, rather than replacing some place unique and independent.

Suthii

"OK then, some common ground."

You paying then?

Joel

>>Sounds good, I love the oysters at Etta’s!<<

OK then, some common ground.

Joel

Hiya Native- yeah, I was beating that whole "it's not a Denny's it's Manning's" drum a while back on a few blogs, etc. Nobody cared, and I guess really, you can't blame them! People hated the building and if it wasn't a part of your growing up (and you aren't a nostalgic sap like me), then there is no connection to it.

I think that the new people DO learn about Ballard, I really do. I think Ballard's heritage is one of it's primary attributes, and people know that when they move here.

As for the shingles, yep, my great-grandfather worked at the Ballard Mill (which I believe was actually called Ballard Mill) and Stimson's back in the shingle days. Lived in an apartment that still exists in Ballard Ave! At least you don't have to look too far to see them since they're on many many houses in the area!

Suthii

"OK Suthii, how about a Tom Douglas place?"

Sounds good, I love the oysters at Etta's!

Native Troll

As I've been following this whole saga, it never ceases to baffle me at how many people refer to the building as a Denny's. How many other Denny's out there look like this one did? It wasn't built as a Denny's - it was a Manning's cafeteria, built in a style that I don't see many developers building in anymore.

I'm not against development, but I am against irresponsible development, and that's what I see going on in Ballard.

I wish that all the newcomers (and yes, welcome to you all) would take some time to learn a little about the history of Ballard.

I will miss seeing those cedar shingles that always reminded me of the shingle industry that our neighborhood was built up around.

Joel

BTW Peter, I don't think I would ever call for moderation, per se. I think that's going too far. I just let my emotions get away from me when begin categorized unfairly.

Kinda childish really. Probably mostly a problem with ME. :) But the fact is that most "Ballard natives" I know don't mind much of what is going on, and some really love it!

Joel

I know, Peter. But I can't help myself! ;-) I think there are much meaner more "abusive" folks up here than Suthii- I think its just the broad generalizing!

OK Suthii, how about a Tom Douglas place?

Suthii

" Unless they institute some sort of public moderation "

Calling for censorship again Peter? So your idea of community is only people who agree with you? Anyone else is a troll, an outsider, less valuable?

My, this must be that famous Ballard tolerance you always lecture about?

Thanks for the laff mate!

Suthii

"Olive Garden" ??

Yipes Joel, no chains please. Something local, something authentic, something with taste and a good wine list.

"elitist rube nativist"

Joel, trust me, if you were an elitist, we'd agree more often.

Peter

Joel, just don't post in the comments anymore. Or even read them. If the Geeky Sweeds think that what goes on here is OK by them, then so be it. Comments give a blog a nice sense of community, but unfiltered, they can (and do) make MyBallard a less valuable resource. Unless they institute some sort of public moderation (ala /.), I'm going to assume that the comments are nothing but Suthii, his cronies and alternate personalities all involved in a protracted self-abuse session.

Joel

>>and only proves the natives are rubes<<

Oi. I give up. I guess I have to resign to being categorized an elitist rube nativist if I want to hang out here.

Joel

gcm I think I felt my heartbeat slow just looking at that.

Joel

You didn't see my comment above, Suthii. I am far too to the hoi polloi side to fit in there. How about we meet halfway and ask for an Olive Garden? Red Lobster? Anthony's?? CPK?

gcm

Whatever goes in there, we can only hope that they serve one of these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simmermon/1702792212/

Suthii

"nail salons, Starbucks, Subways, etc"

See Joel we agree, those places are far too low class. Let's start a petition with the Canlis family to open a Ballard branch?

Suthii

"they would want to talk with the community to see how they can best meet the needs, rather than their own greed"

Who says you speak for the community? I emailed them and asked that they tear it down.

"If they had bothered to listen to the community"

Maybe they did and realized most folks want it torn down. Who made you Queen of Ballard?

"It was referred to in the Seattle P-I, as the ‘Taj Mahal’ of Ballard. You can look it up."

Clearly by folks who had never actually seen the real Taj Mahal. Sorry, the ignorance of that writer didn't turn this monstrosity into a one of the Wonders of the World, and only proves the natives are rubes.

Joel

I don't know if I can completely agree with you Fran- that listening would have resulted in a win-win for all. Too many wanted the darn thing gone, and I don't think any plan that included the building would have been satisfactory. Let's face it: the vast majority thought the building ugly (myself included) and only a few thought (hoped) it should be saved, purely on emotional/nostalgic grounds (myself included). I laughed the day the landmarks board designated it because I knew it didn't have a chance over the long run, and I think thats true for a lot of folks.

There's still plenty to love about Ballard that includes both the old and the new.

I am going to be interested to see what is in the new building. All of the standard places we have plenty of (nail salons, Starbucks, Subways, etc). Not sure how many more the area can sustain! So I am optimistic. Cautiously.

toudios

shouldn't there be a plan filed with the county recorder's office as to what is going in next?

Fran

You can be sure that the building owner and developer did nothing to stop the tagging and graffitti, and in fact, used it to bolster their case about the 'eyesore' building. Have any of you seen photos of what the building looked like before it was a Denny's? It was referred to in the Seattle P-I, as the 'Taj Mahal' of Ballard. You can look it up. It was also referred to as "Rakish, Radical, Remarkable" in the Seattle Times, in 1964. Some people did like it.

Fran

There have been MULTIPLE attempts at contacting the developer- Rhapsody Partners, who are from Las Vegas. They were 'surprised' at the outcry for this building, and from the initial plans and Design Review Board meetings, what is being planned is just like all of the other condo/mixed use buildings going up in Ballard. And, considering that Ballard is already HALFWAY to their goal of new housing- a goal that was for the year 2020, it would seem that they would want to talk with the community to see how they can best meet the needs, rather than their own greed. Yet, Rhapsody, and Benaroya- the building owner, preferred to push ahead with the demolition. Rhapsody and Benaroya could care less what the community thinks, or what they might want there. Look for Subway, Nail Salons, Starbucks, and Desert Tan.

If they had bothered to listen to the community, it could have been a win-win solution for all involved. There are those that tried, and kudos to them.

Joel

John- Really? Was there some complaining when it was built? I'm not quite old enough to remember that (47), and I MUST be one of the older frequenters here! I can imagine, though. I certainly never liked the building itself, only that it was something that was always there and part of My Ballard. I wonder if there are any old newspaper articles from the time is was built! Would add a fascinating dimension to the discussion.

>>but I would think we can all agree that a boarded up, tagged building wasn’t helping Ballard. <<

You got that right.

I doubt however, that talking to the developer will make any difference (and I don't mean that as a slam against the developer before anybody chimes in, please)- I'm sure all the plans are already made! The rumors are certainly flying: I've already heard Rite-Aid, and I even heard at some point they were going to put a Gap in there! LOL Just rumors, though...

Joel

Ha! Well that depends on who fits in to your notion of hoi polloi. I'd have to categorize myself somewhere right in-between that and the canlis crowd so I probably would not fit in either place. I do like Canlis much better than either, though.

And for the record, I am a Ballard native who hates the viaduct and always has.

John

Does anyone remember the moaning when the place was built? No one liked it. Everyone thought it was ugly and an eye-sore, which it really was. Maybe the building grew on us and maybe some of us grew to like it, but I would think we can all agree that a boarded up, tagged building wasn't helping Ballard.

It's over and done with.

Looking forward, we should contact the developer and encourage them to build something that will fit in with the neighborhood. Not slap up some generic condo building that could be in Anytown, USA.

Suthii

"Tubby, yes. Elitist, no?"

I would never call anyone protecting an ugly diner an elitist Joel, don't worry.

I, too, hope no Starbucks or Office Depot goes in there, those places far too hoi polloi. How about a 'Canlis en Ballard' or a nice enoteca? Can we talk to those nice Canlis boys and have them open a branch up over here?

Joel

>>I love progress and change!<< So do I! And I'm a so called "nativist". You assume that all Ballard natives are elitist snobs that hate all developlment/progress and that's not fair. Just because we have emotional attachments to thinga doesn't make us anything but emotional and nostalgic. I just hate being called names (that aren't valid). Tubby, yes. Elitist, no?

Suthii

"I think Suthii hates every thing and everybody."

I love progress and change! And I don't hate the nativists, I just pity their tribal mentality and 'I Love the Viaduct' bumper stickers.

Joel

Seriously, I think Suthii hates every thing and everybody. Hopefully he/she is not a parent.

Suthii

" Imagine that, replacing a local creamery with a chain restaurant that served awful food in an ugly building."

But the nativists think time and history begin and end with them. It's like talking with 2 year olds.

I just drove by and waved to the smashers. My only gripe with Benaroyas is they didn't let us come by with sledge hammers and pitch in.

Onward and upward Ballard, onward and upward.

Joel

rowbot- I agree!!! I saw that picture, too. The true meaning of your post is not lost on me, btw. :-)

rowbot

What should have been preserved was the original building that was at the Denny's site long before the Manning's/Denny's was ever built. I recently came across a photo of it somewhere, it was a cute brick building that housed a creamery. The ghost of that building is finally getting some fresh air and a sigh of relief before the next structure is built. Imagine that, replacing a local creamery with a chain restaurant that served awful food in an ugly building.

Ellen

Now the Twin Tee-Pees, that is worth pining over!

Let's get on with figuring out what IS left that should be protected and become proactive at preserving the neighborhood.

Save Mike's!

Fran

No one was ever trying to stop development. The people who were trying to save the building were willing to develop the site while keeping the building. And Benaroya was not mistreated....they were handed the demo permit on a silver platter, and most likely were toasting the demise with champagne last night. Perhaps, before you spout off with your inane comments, you might want to do a little research into the inner workings of the Landmark STAFF, the DPD, and the mayors office and it's collusion with developers.

Dalton

Are they going to put up a flea market while they wait to start construction, just like at the Sunset Bowl?

biff

Fran they were mistreated. THe commission themselves said it wasn't historic then in an attempt to stop development (outside their jurisdiction) they voted it historic. THe best part of the story is that you guys singlehanded may have begun the end of the landmarks board.

Burn baby burn. Next up: NOMA condos.

Fran

Yes, Joel- I had posted several times on the value of landmarking the building. Despite what many posters on this blog have said, they didn't know the history of the building, the architect, or the style, and chose, instead, to chide those who had worked very hard to save it. Whether or not anyone loved it, or hated it, it is beyond disgusting that BENAROYA used their inside contacts with the mayors office to get this demolished quickly. Benaroya refused to talk with those who were trying to still save the building, and yet, they felt 'mistreated' during the whole process. IF they had worked with the community, instead of being antagonistic, perhaps this building could have been saved, and moved to another site. It could have happened, and I hope that they won't be able to rent out the condos or retail, and it sits empty for a long, long time.

chelsea!

@Bella,

Seriously.

I guess 'turn left where there's a large gathering of people, Bartell's bags, and jaywalkers' will have to do.

Bella

Well, I guess I am just shit out of luck the next time I want bacon or a piece of pie at 3am.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no huge fan of Denny's or their food, but it fit my needs just often enough that I will miss it.
And "Turn left at that generic condo building" just doesn't cut it for giving people directions.

Rudy

Whether you're a fan of the building or not, you have to appreciate the speed with which it came down. The arm of the "Rhine" is swift indeed.

Joel

Well Fran, at least we know this was coming and at least they tried the landmarks route. And besides, who cares about the building if it's not on that corner? Rob P did the Twin Teepees demo without a peep and will always be a weasel in my mind. I understand how you feel though: I think you had made several posts about the value of the building, right? Oh well.

Joel

Yeah, so I guess I'm not allowed to have or articulate any feelings about another Ballard landmark (albeit an ugly one) being torn down (regardless of what is going up in it's place) without being made fun of and called names by the trolls.

Either way, butt-ugly as the place was, it was one of those "always there" places I grew up with and even though I'm not one of these people that are against progress on principle, I'll miss it defining that corner. First place I ever interviewed for a job (and failed!).

All I ask is please, no Rite-Aid, Office Depot, Starbuck's, the list goes on!!

Let me name calling begin.

Fran

Bastards! Didn't even give anyone a chance to try to come up with a way to save it- whether by moving it, or some other method- saving the roofline- something.

I am sick. This is as bad as when they tore down the twin teepees.

Jasmine

I'm so glad they did it so quickly. Just get it over with.

Suthii

"Ninja Demo!"

They were probably worried the Ballard Nativists would beat them with old Sunset Bowl bowling pins if they did this in the middle of the day.

I guess the bums down there will have to find a new nest?