Louisa Building Restoration Uncovers Prohibition-Era Murals
Prohibition-era murals were recently discovered in the Louisa Building during restoration work.
Tanya Woo, whose family owns the Chinatown building at Seventh and King streets, believes the murals depict the jazz club that was once in the building, Curbed Seattle reports. A faded sign among the murals shows the name “Club Royale.” One of the murals appears to depict African-Americans in Prohibition attire, Woo said.
Woo said she hopes to preserve as many murals as possible and make the murals open to the public by replacing a door with glass so they would be visible to passers-by on Seventh Street.
In addition to the murals, wood trim, doors and other historical items have been salvaged and will be used in the restored building.
When finished, the Chinatown building will be mixed-use with affordable apartments and ground-level retail.
The building was the site of the 1983 Wah Mee Massacre, which left 13 people dead.
