A Neighborhood “DownUnder”

“The Market’s lower floors have long teemed with variety. Everything from cold storage to a library branch and a bakery filled the warren of spaces before World War II. Since the 1950s, the variety of small businesses filling every corner of these lower levels, in addition to the Market’s lower rents and community of support, created Seattle’s largest incubator of new, independent businesses. They make the ‘DownUnder’ a thriving labyrinth of shops including antique dealers, collectible shops, bookstores, art, imports, a magic shop, and one of the oldest comic book shops in the world.“

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Learn More About This Time in Pike Place Market History

The main floor of the Fairley Building was constructed in 1907 as part of the Main Arcade located at Pike Place street level. From 1911 to 1914, additional levels were added, resulting in six floors cascading down to Western Avenue.

The DownUnder has been home to a variety of businesses over the last century including a creamery, butcher shop, sugar factory, a Seattle Public Library branch location, a donut shop, a malt shop, a Goodwill, and the original location of DeLaurenti’s (now located on First Avenue level of the Economy building).

The Fairley Building can also claim Seattle’s first modern public restroom. In 1908, just in time for the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition hosted at the site of the University of Washington, the city opened “Comfort Station Number 1” complete with terrazzo floors, separate men’s and women’s entrances, and free soap and towels. The restrooms have been renovated over the years and can be found on the stairwell located outside the Old Fashioned Candy Store located on DownUnder level 5.