Exit133

October 10, 2011 · Exit133

Farewell Heidelberg Tower

Friday afternoon the Heidelberg Tower finally came down, bringing to an end more than 60 years as an iconic part of Tacoma’s skyline. The tower fell with little fanfare as a part of the demolition of the Heidelberg building, which had been labeled dangerous and okayed for demolition by Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Committee earlier this year.

It’s sad to yet again lose a piece of Tacoma’s historic skyline.

The developers who brought the tower down will be constructing a Holiday Inn Express on the property adjacent to the Heidelberg building. The construction of a new hotel in Tacoma will mean more rooms available to visitors and potential users of the convention center, which currently has a capacity that far exceeds the number of rooms available in town. More hotel rooms available will mean the potential for more and larger conferences. We can’t help wishing, however, that there was a way for the new hotel to honor the history it replaces.

Also at the TNT: Heidelberg water tower comes down

Previously on Exit133: Heidelberg Brewery Demolition Report

Filed under: Neighborhoods, Tacoma Landmarks, Brewery District, Heidelberg

5 comments

  • Sarah October 10, 2011

    I remember hearing that the public/committee had asked that the tower be incorporated into the design of the new hotel and the hotel said it did not fit into their design. So maybe we should not jump all over preservationists, they asked that it be used and the developer said no.

  • Mofo from the Hood October 11, 2011

    Preservationists suggested the old and faded water tower as a design element in a new Holiday Inn Express hotel? And the developer said no?

    That’s just crazy!

  • jamie October 11, 2011

    I think I said it before (I definitely thought it) but that tower would have looked awesome on the roof of the Red Hot.

    I’m assuming it’s scrap now.

  • Mofo from the Hood October 12, 2011

    Seriously, preservationists suggested that only unrestored window frames and dirty glass from the Heidelberg Brewery should be installed in the new Holiday Inn Express.

  • Mofo from the Hood October 13, 2011

    No joke; preservationists said that old Heidelberg Brewery rats should be relocated to the new Holiday Inn Express.