The Corbet Building

The Corbet Building, whose original name is the Ives building is located on the corner of NE 45th Street and University Way. Built in 1923, the two-story structure is made out of concrete, and features a Classical design. The revival of this Classical design features columns and pilasters that are located on the South and East sides of the building on the second story. The Ives or Corbet building has decorative terra cotta and a simple cornice encircle on the ground floor. The original windows on the second story have been replaced and the transom windows have been either covered or removed completely. The storefront of the Ives and or Corbet building has undergone much altercations in order to keep its Classical design.

The socio-cultural uses of this building are quite vast. On the main floor of the building there is a authentic Mexican restaurant as well as an Teriyaki house. These restaurants serve as a place where many students, and the rest of the public are able to come together to enjoy good food, for an inexpensive price. On the very corner of the Corbet Building is the Twice Sold Tales, where the public as well as students are able to buy books from all genres that are sometimes new, but mostly used copies that have been sold back to the store. Twice Sold Tales serves as a place of comfort for the customers, and also a place where they can find a lot of books that are not mainstream any longer, or that are unique and original. Also, considering the owners bring their cat to work with them, who mostly just lounges on the books near the front window, brings the customers to feel safe and at home. Next to Twice Sold Tales is the cafe SureShot, that has quite the quirky personality, and also serving dishes that sometimes include vegetarian and vegan dishes. SureShot provides a place for the "Ave Rats" [People who hang out in front of Sureshot, dressed in grungy clothes, and often seem to be under the influence of some substance] to congregate, and it serves as a local hangout for students to study. Finally, on the main floor is the Hair.Comb people who provide expensive haircuts, styling and waxing to a wide variety of customers. On the upper level are the University of Washington Office of Annual Giving, including the Student Calling Program, which solicits alumni for donations in order to help insure the University's future as well as providing funds for students and individual academic departments. These offices serve as a great job locations for student only, who get to interact and work with alumni, also this office provides a laid back and fun atmosphere often involving games including pictionary, catchphrase, bowling etc.

The Corbet Building is located right at the heart of "The Ave" and therefore plays a vital role in the identity of the U-District as a geographic and social landscape. The Classical style of this building provides many with the aesthetically pleasing view of a historical building, one that serves many customers and clients daily in a number of services. The role that the Corbet Building plays is one of historical structure and is used as a hub that brings many types of people together for a common purpose, whether that be food, books, calling alumni or a haircut this building causes people to interact with one another. Overall, the Corbet Building provides the U-District with a place where people are able to congregate, and enjoy themselves.