Rubble is all that's left

Forty-three years of tradition ended last week in one hour as demolition crews turned the Ballard Denny's into a pile of rubble to make way for a condominium.

The building with its unique roof and architectural features, designed by architect Clarence Mayhew, opened as a Mannings Restaurant in 1965 and the Denny's chain took over in 1983, continuing a tradition of 24-hour service and a place for the neighborhood to gather.

Owners BCC Mikie Ballard LLC will build an eight-story, 260-unit condominium on the site.

"I think it is sad," said Randi Hansen. "It is taking away a place that has been here forever. A place with affordable food. A meeting place for seniors."

"It's landmark," said Bill Damon. "It's the history of Ballard and Seattle."

The Seattle Landmark Preservation Board voted in February to protect the diner as a city landmark. It reversed that decision and, in May, voted unanimously to allow it be taken down.

A group called Save Mannings was formed to save the building. The group said it was an example of Googie architecture. That style is known for its distinctive design meant to attract customers.

Save Mannings received the support of Alan Hess, an architect who wrote the book "Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture."

The loss of the Denny's is compounded by the closing and eventually demolition of the Sunset Bowl, located one block east, frequented by generations of Ballardites. It will be replaced by an apartment building.

The Denny's building occupied the intersection of 15th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street that some refer to as the gateway to Ballard.

The morning Denny's came down, people stopped by and reacted with sadness and anger.

"I thought it was pretty distinct," said Brad Gallaway. "You could mention it to anyone and they know what you are talking about. It was a fixture here for a long time. I thought it was pretty distinct."

"I liked it," said Hansen. "It was different and cheerful. You saw it once you got into Ballard."

Damon said Ballard is losing its character and charm.

"The building expressed itself completely different from any structure in Seattle," he said.

When asked if she will miss Denny's, Laurie Silver said "oh hell yeah."

"I will miss my favorite waiter. Tell Barry I still love him. I thought it was fun and different from all the boxes," said Silver.

Dorothy Thrasher said it was unusual to no longer see the building.

"The people who worked here had always been friendly to me. It's part of the history of the neighborhood. It's almost like losing a family pet," Thrasher said.

Old timers remember the roast beef, Swedish pancakes, Belgian waffles and free Thanksgiving dinners served to seniors at Mannings.

"Mannings was good food, reasonable prices," said Hansen. "It was a popular place to go."

Damon said he feels sad about Ballard. People don't have a place to congregate anymore.

"Ballard has lost its charm," he said.

"I miss it," said Debbie Davis. "It a place for people to gather and have coffee and spend time with family."

Mark Allenhunt was born and raised in Ballard and graduated from Ballard High in 1988.

"They need to tear the condos down rather than old buildings. It's not right," Allenhunt said.

Michael Johnson lives in Fremont and had to see Denny's destruction for himself.

"It's a shame we're all becoming high rises," Johnson said. "Why replace it with something we can't afford. As a student, its hard to find a place to live."

Debbie Davis said there are already too many condominiums in the area and Sunset Bowl is now waiting for the wrecking ball. Renters are also losing apartments to condo conversions.

"Where are people going to go? What are they going to do? A lot of people living in apartments are worried," said Davis.

Hansen was displaced two years ago when her apartment was converted to a condominium.

"Look at Ballard. It has nothing left. It's like a mini-downtown," said Hansen.

People stopped by the demolition site and took pictures on their digital cameras. Others just stood there and stared at history disappearing before them.

"It's a beautiful day. But it's sad to see Denny's go," said Davis.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com