Irony: Luxury High Rise In Seattle Owned By Carpenters Union Declared Unsafe; Total Demolition Scheduled.

Carpenters Tower was supposed to be a crowning achievement for the Seattle Carpenters Union Local 131. The union and partners own the building. The union seal proudly decorates the lobby entrance. The 272-unit McGuire Apartment complex was named for its founder, and a lot of union members worked on its construction.

Now, the Carpenters Union will have to move out, along with the rest of the tenants.

“This building was not constructed as approved by permit and over time sustained structural deterioration which could make it unsafe by 2011,” said Bryan Stevens, Seattle Planning and Development.

It’s a shocking development for a building that’s only 9 years old.