An historic Downtown Yakima building is receiving national recognition and you are invited to attend the ceremony.

Hotel Maison, 321 E. Yakima Avenue, will unveil a plaque designating it on the National Register of Historic Places during a ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. In 2016, the City of Yakima’s Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and approved the Hotel Maison’s application for historic preservation tax credits.

“With that nomination and listing, the building’s owners were able to use preservation tax credits while the property underwent renovations,” said City Councilmember Jason White, the Council’s liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Following the unveiling ceremony, Hotel Maison will be the site of the Historic Preservation Commission’s regular monthly meeting at 5:30 pm on Monday, August 13th.

“Our goal in applying for the National Register of Historic Places was to help preserve the original grandeur of the property and share a glance into the history and evolution of the Yakima Valley,” said Elizabeth Morrier McGree, Vice President of JEM Development Real Estate, Inc. “We’re so pleased that all the hard work renovating and updating Hotel Maison is being recognized, and we appreciate the support we have received from the City.”

The tallest building between Seattle and Spokane at the time it was built in 1911, the building now known as Hotel Maison was constructed by local Yakima Freemasons. It included a Masonic ceremonial temple on the top floor, with commercial and retail spaces on the lower floors.

While the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, the placement of the plaque formally recognizes the efforts made to preserve the historic nature and integrity of the property. JEM Development Real Estate, Inc. opened the historic building as a boutique hotel in December 2015 after extensive preservation efforts.

“The plaque to be unveiled on August 13th is a rare accomplishment and represents much effort that has gone into preserving the building,” said City of Yakima Associate Planner Trevor Martin.

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