Epsilon Apartments Business District Member

Situated in Tacoma’s grandest residential boulevard, Epsilon was heralded as the most modern apartment building in the city when it was built in 1922. Charles Epps built the Ivy House, then known as the Epps Apartments, incorporating the latest in electrical appliances, internal and external telephone systems, and hot water heat. While these features may sound insignificant now, at the time the design was considered cutting edge. Five years after being built, the building was commended by the American Institute of Architects for improving the standard of architecture in Tacoma.

Architects Sutton, Whitney, & Dugan, described the Epsilon as a modern application of Italian brickwork with stone. The exterior features burlap brick and stone with cast iron trim and elegantly arched doorways. The exceptional amount of design detail put into the exterior doors and windows is unprecedented in any modern construction. The apartments feature their original built in details like built in ironing boards and fold down kitchen tables in the breakfast nooks.

302 North Yakima
Tacoma, WA 98403