Spokane Journal of Business

Historic Symons Block changes hands in downtown Spokane

Downtown building along Howard sells for $2.6M

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The historic Symons Block Building, located at 9 S. Howard, in downtown Spokane, has been acquired by a Spokane investor who recently opened a waffle restaurant in the space, according to public records.

The 67,700-square-foot building was purchased for $2.6 million by Symons Block LLC, according to Spokane County Assessor’s Office records. The company is governed by Alyssa Agee, a restaurateur who co-owns People’s Waffle on the ground floor of the building.

Agee and her husband, Bryan, in partnership with Aaron Hein, opened People’s Waffle in May with a menu that ranges from simple waffles with butter and syrup to more eclectic offerings such as the Duck Confit, which features Peking duck served with fig jam, pickled onion, and Boursin cheese on a pair of waffles.

The restaurant occupies just under 600 square feet in the north portion of the main floor of the building. Additionally, they plan to open a coffee, dessert, and cocktail bar, to be named Emma Rue’s, in the south portion of the building.

Cody George and Kevin Guthrie, of Kiemle Hagood, represented the seller in the transaction.

Built in 1917, the Symons Block building was added to the Spokane Register of Historic Places in 1996. The five-story building is located on the northeast corner of Howard Street and First Avenue downtown, adjacent to the former Ridpath Hotel, most of which has been converted into apartments in recent years.

The building is also located across First from the repurposed James S. Black building, which used to house the NAI Black offices. The building has since been renovated into living units and renamed the Marjorie Apartments.

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Natasha Nellis
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Reporter Natasha Nellis joined the Journal in May 2018 and covers real estate and construction. Natasha is an avid reader and loves taking photos, traveling, and learning new languages.

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