Clair Enlow

Clair Enlow is a freelance journalist writing about architecture, planning and history. She’s a Loeb Fellow and an honorary member of AIASeattle.

Novelist Jess Walter Sets a Story in Early Spokane, Beset With Radicals

Labor is a theme, but Spokane doesn’t really have a labor force—just rootless workers who can’t drive a fair deal. Then the Wobblies come to town.

Seattle Has Just Built Its Best Urban Plaza

In some ways, 2&U is a laboratory for cities of the future. It could show us how to activate the all-important ground floor after e-commerce and now the pandemic have dealt blows to downtown retail.

Holl on Holl in Bellevue

Holl’s building remains the most important work of art in the collection of Bellevue Art Museum

Seattle’s Waterfront Is Remaking Itself, With a Dramatic Overlook Walk to the Aquarium

The Overlook Walk will meet the edge of MarketFront, where a series of bridging structures will continue the switchbacks down a gentle slope to the roof deck of the Ocean Pavilion. On the way down, the path will cross over yet-to-be-built Elliott Avenue, the branch of rebuilt Alaskan Way which will climb the face of the cliff, carrying most of the northbound traffic toward Belltown.

Portland’s Bold Move To Encourage More Close-In ‘Middle’ Housing

Seattle has not adjusted to the shift to urban housing, except in some token ways. The city still requires one on-site parking space per house, with the exception of accessory units in some single-family zones.

Another Old Church Building On The Edge Of Demise

In 2005 the owners of Third Church tested the market for their building and received an offer from a man who seemed committed to converting Third Church into a performance and lecture hall. Didn't happen.

East Precinct, Seattle’s Unexpected Landmark

For some demonstrators, the building is their police station. The East Precinct serves a large area in South Seattle. I hate to see that open door boarded up. Like others who’ve raised teenagers here, I’ve been to the precinct in the middle of the night.

Behind The Curtain Walls: Seattle’s Tower Architecture

For more than three decades, Seattle has been earnestly shaping policy and procedure to get better downtown buildings, and fend off the worst. What have we got to show for it? Rainier Square Tower.

FENCE: The Power of Pictures next to a Changing Waterfront

The show is a reminder of the power of still photos to explore and explain, especially events that blend history with natural phenomena. Much of the exhibit consists of photo essays reminiscent of extinct magazines like Life.

Ground Zero For Seattle Public Spaces: The Conflict That Is Occidental Park

The park reflects our best urban dreams and harshest economic realities. During our extended coronavirus shutdown Occidental Park is strangely unoccupied, just like much of Seattle. It’s also unwatched and ungoverned.

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