File:Seattle Lighting Building.jpg

English: The building at the Southeast corner of Main Street and 2nd Ave Ext S was originally known as the Metropolitan Building when completed in 1901. Designed by Thompson & Thompson, It was built by William T. Whitney (Superintendent of the Pacific Coast Biscuit Co. at Occidental & Jackson) for the Metropolitan Press, Inc. to consolidate their growing operations after having merged with several other printing companies. They originally occupied the basement, 2nd and 3rd floors. A row of retail shops faced Main Street including the second location of G.O. Guy drugs on the corner. Other early tenants included a confetti company, a glove factory, and the engineering offices for the Great Northern Railroad tunnel under downtown, where most of the plans were drafted under the direction of M.E. Reed. Seattle Lighting (founded in 1917 as the Seattle Lighting Fixture Company) has occupied the building since the late 1920s. The building's 3rd Avenue facade was rebuilt at an angle in 1928 to make way for the 3rd Avenue Extension.