As the 1st Avenue area declined in the 1940s and 1950s , the Eitel Building lost its ground-level retail tenants and was sold to various investment groups . The building 's office tenants slowly left , leaving the upper floors completely unoccupied by 1978 , as renovation to modern building code standards became too costly for landlords . Real estate investor Richard Nimmer bought the property in 1975 , and pursued several unsuccessful attempts at renovating and selling the Eitel Building for various uses , including apartments , offices , and a hotel . The Eitel Building became regarded as an " eyesore " , owing to its highly trafficked location near Pike Place Market , with boarded windows , a rotting roof , and a pigeon infestation . At one point , the city of Seattle threatened to condemn the property as part of their efforts to clean up the area . The building also suffered damage during the 2001 Nisqually earthquake , including the separation of a brick wall from the roof , which was repaired but dissuaded potential buyers
2001 Nisqually earthquake
2001 Nisqually earthquake
Eitel Building