Endangered Seattle

Sometimes it isn't so clear which category a nomination falls into. In a recent series of nominations by the Cornish College of the Arts, an independent consultant dismissed the historical value of five turn-of-the-century homes because of "extensive alterations" to the properties, which are used by the school as administrative offices. Cornish wants to sell the homes to Admiralty Development, a real- estate developer, and move to a new location in the Denny Triangle. One of the houses, dating from around 1893, may be among the oldest on Capitol Hill, according to Historic Seattle preservation advocate Heather MacIntosh.

That alone would seem to make it worthy of consideration. But landmark status, particularly for individual houses, is a tough sell. "You've got to work hard to make a good case," MacIntosh says. Alterations, lack of prominent placement in the neighborhood, and nearby similar properties can diminish the odds that a building will be preserved for posterity.

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Ultimately, all five landmark applications were rejected, clearing the way for Cornish to move ahead. The school plans to finalize the sale of the houses and move into its new digs around the end of June, according to Cornish chief operations officer Vicky Clayton. Taking their place will be a gated community of new high-end townhomes and condos, to be known as the Harvard Estate, aimed at wealthy empty nesters and retirees.

Erica C. Barnett