Showbox May Be Saved For 6 More Months After Council Vote

SEATTLE, WA — A Seattle City Council committee approved a six-month extension of the Pike Place Historic District on Tuesday, which would prevent the Showbox from being developed during that time.

The full Seattle City Council will vote Monday on the historic district extension. The Council originally extended the historic district last summer as a stop-gap measure to prevent the Showbox from being torn down and turned into a 44-story apartment building.

Roger Forbes, who owns the Showbox property, has sued the city over last summer's historic district extension, although it has been reported Forbes' attorneys may be negotiating a settlement. It's also possible the city could decide to make the Showbox a permanent part of the Pike Place Market Historic District.

The entertainment group AEG Presents leases the Showbox from Forbes. On Tuesday, Showbox manager Eric Forbes sent a letter to AEG notifying the company that its lease would not be renewed when it expires in 2024, according to C Is For Crank.

The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board meets Wednesday to consider a nomination of the Showbox as a city landmark. If that designation is approved, the exterior and interior of the building might have to be preserved under city law.