426 15th Ave E
1904
The Moore Family Building was initially constructed in 1904. Over its long life it has hosted a multitude of varied and different retailers. The marquee corner shop was listed as the Capitol Hill Market in a 1929 issue of the Seattle Times and as the Oxford Meat Market in 1934. By 1936 new occupants had moved in: Jamieson Drugs, Child’s Hardware, featuring Pittsburgh Paints, and the Professional Permanents hair salon.
416 15th Ave E
1944/1956
The portion of the building that now houses a QFC grocery store was constructed in 1944. It operated as a “Price & Stephens” Moore’s Food Store. By 1956, the Price & Stephens grocery store had become a Thriftway, while the building to the south had been demolished to make room for a parking lot.
Capitol Hill Drugs
1966
By 1966, the once small corner drugstore had become Capitol Hill Drugs and grown to take over much of the store frontage. The hair salon remained on the right. Unfortunately, some time between 1956 and 1966 the building underwent a modernization, erasing its facade’s architectural charm.
QFC on 15th
1964
In 1964, QFC took over the grocery and expanded the building to its current size- roughly 19,000 SF.
Hunters Capital Ownership
2017
In May 2017, Hunters Capital acquired the Moore Family Building complex. At the time tenants included the 19,000 SF 15th Ave QFC; ShopRite, a small hardware store; Rudy’s Barbershop; and seven residential apartments. The 37,800 SF property is centrally located on one of the most desirable retail corridors on Capitol Hill – 15th Ave E.
Information and photos gathered from Seattle Before & After.
Moore Family Building
Today
A multi-family residential development is planned at the Moore Family Building site. The project includes approximately 172 residential units in a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and townhouse-style lofts, along with nearly 10,000 SF of commercial space along 15th Ave E.
The project is designed as a six-story building and includes underground parking for approximately 101 vehicles. The intent is to continue adding housing and a diverse mix of retail along 15th Ave E, contributing to the ongoing activity and character of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
The existing building remains occupied by retail tenants including Haunted Burrow Books, Thistle & Poppy, and Love City Love, reflecting the corridor’s ongoing role as a base for small business and local retail in central Seattle. The site has a walk score of 93, bike score of 95, and transit score of 74.