Correction: The building to be torn down is the 2-story non-historic tertiary structure that faces Leary, not the historic building on Ballard Ave. The photo has been updated for clarification.
Original: The owner of the Olympic Athletic Club and Hotel Ballard has plans to demolish and expand their property at 5301 Leary Ave NW in Old Ballard.
According to City records, the plan is to demolish the existing 2-story building and construct a new 6-story commercial building with two levels for the athletic club and four levels of hotel, with a rooftop deck.
On Sunday, September 8th, there will be a guided tour for the public to learn more about the redevelopment plans. The tour will be from 6 to 7:30pm, starting from the Olympic Athletic Club.
For more info, visit the project website here.
(Full disclosure: Olympic Athletic Club is a My Ballard advertiser)
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/My-Ballard-ad-1.png")
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
At least it’s not facing Ballard Avenue, like that Super Tuscan shit show he erected for the Hotel Ballard. He must have used more grease than a flock of duck breasts to ease that dud past the (ostensible) historical district standards. I curse that hulk every time I walk by it. It should be airlifted to the flats of Beverly Hills to live next to its architectural kin.
Tuscan style fits in with new Ballard! Didn’t you read the article where the Hi-Life was rebranding as a Italian restaurant? Goodbye Geeky Swedes, Hello Crusty Guidos!
Turns out, if you have the time and money, it’s not difficult to get yourself onto the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board, shoehorn your project through and then resign when you’ve got what you needed.
I wonder who the architect will be, it will be an interesting challenge to integrate with the surrounding historic district. Hopefully it does a great job at expressing the Old Ballard character.