Date
Built in 1890
The city’s architectural inventory supplies the original date.
Seattle Condo Buildings
Nord Building
The Nord Building began as a hotel shortly after Seattle’s Great Fire. Completed in 1890, it first housed the Thompson Hotel and later became the Nord Hotel, named for former manager Frank Nordquist.
312 1st Avenue S · 314 1st Avenue S · Pioneer Square · Seattle
Building Highlights
- Built
- 1890
- Stories
- 3 fl
- Residences
- 7 homes
- Neighborhood
- Pioneer Square
- Building Type
- Condominium
- Market
- Seattle
The Building Story
An 1890 hotel beside Nord Alley
The Nord Building began as a hotel shortly after Seattle’s Great Fire. Completed in 1890, it first housed the Thompson Hotel and later became the Nord Hotel, named for former manager Frank Nordquist. Its three-story First Avenue South facade uses brick arches, pilasters and corbelling to create a distinctive rhythm without extensive stone ornament.
The city records a restoration by Stickney and Murphy Architects in the late 1970s. Today, residential condominium listings use 312 First Avenue South, while historic and storefront records also use 314. The small collection of loft homes is closely tied to the surrounding Pioneer Square streets and Nord Alley. For buyers, the building’s modest height and older structure make the individual residence particularly important: compare its daylight, interior levels and connection to the alley or street rather than expecting a repeated floor plan.
Origins
Thompson Hotel to Nord Hotel
The building’s names reflect successive chapters of its hotel history.
Architecture
Three stories of brick detail
Arches and raised brickwork define the First Avenue South facade.
Addresses
312 and 314 First Avenue South
Residential listings and historic/storefront records use neighboring entry numbers.
Good to know
Before choosing a home here
- Use the residential address and legal unit when researching sales, since commercial and historical records may use 314.
- Visit the home to assess the interaction of its windows and balconies with First Avenue South and Nord Alley.
- Review structural, masonry and window rehabilitation records for the converted historic building.
Explore the research behind this building
Architecture and project-history references describe the original design. Current amenity access, financial condition, building rules and individual property features must be verified from the latest association and listing records.
Homes for Sale
Currently available at Nord Building
Explore available homes, photography and pricing from the live NWMLS feed.
Pinnacle GroupLuke Bartlett
Listing data is provided by Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) through IDX Broker. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and must be independently verified.
Rental & Leasing
Leasing at Nord Building
- Rental cap
- Current HOA documents required
- Minimum lease
- Current HOA documents required
- Short-term rentals
- Current HOA documents required
More rental details
- Cap status / waitlist
- Current HOA documents required
- Subleasing
- Current HOA details required
- Lease / registration
- Current HOA details required
- Rental / move-in fees
- Current HOA details required
- Background checks
- Current HOA details required
- Source status
- Needs verification
- Last verified
- Current HOA documents not reviewed
Leasing rules and availability may change. Confirm current terms with the condominium association before purchasing or leasing.
What Buyers Should Know
Due-diligence checklist
- Resale certificate
- Reserve study
- Budget and financial statements
- Insurance
- Assessments
- Capital projects
- Litigation
- Rental rules
- Owner occupancy
- Financing / warrantability
- Parking and storage rights
- View / future development
- Building systems and age
What Sellers Should Know
Who you compete with
Sellers compete with current same-building inventory, similar stacks, floor height, views, parking, condition, amenities and nearby buildings.
Compare This Building
Other buildings in the directory
Pioneer Square · 1909 / 1990–1991
The Florentine
6 fl · ~116 homes
Pioneer Square · 2018
Gridiron
107 homes
Downtown · 2007
5th & Madison
24 fl · ~125 homes
Photo: Gregory White / Seattle Home Photography. Courtesy of The Seattle Condo Group.
Work with Luke
Considering a condo at Nord Building?
Association rental and leasing rules, rental caps, current cap availability, waitlists, minimum lease terms, fees and short-term-rental policies can change at any time. Information should be independently verified through the current resale certificate, declaration, rules and regulations, association management and applicable City of Seattle requirements before purchase or lease.