Classic Apartments - The Ivy House

I walked past the Ivy House nearly every day for many years.  The units were small – at least when compared to the Lewis & Clark across the street – but the original details and its central location in the Stadium District on Yakima Avenue has kept me intrigued. 

The Ivy House was heralded as the most modern apartment building in the city when it was built in 1922. Charles Epps built the Ivy House, then known as the Epps Apartments, incorporating the latest in electrical appliances, internal and external telephone systems, and hot water heat. While these features may sound insignificant now, at the time the design was considered cutting edge.

Five years after being built the building was commended by the American Institute of Architects for ‘improving the standard of architecture’ in Tacoma.  If you drive by too quickly you may not even notice the details.  Yet it’s these details that make the Ivy House unique.  Architects Sutton, Whitney, & Dugan, described the Ivy House as a ‘modern application of Italian brickwork with stone.’ The exterior features burlap brick and stone with cast iron trim and elegantly arched doorways. The exceptional amount of design detail put into the exterior doors and windows is rarely ever seen in any modern construction – particularly modern apartment buildings.

I’m not sure if I have my facts correct, but I believe the original plan called for a second building.  It was to be built behind the first one using the same design elements.  Unfortunately that building was never started and what we have instead is the Thornwood, a not-so-classic 70’s design. 

Take a look at the photos of the building from the 1920s.  It definitely stood taller when it wasn’t crowded by tall trees, close-by homes, and the Thornwood.  When you pass the building look at the doors and windows.  Notice the carved stone details.  Notice the crest above the doors with a big E for Epps.  It’s these details that lead to the stories we like to hear.