The Eliason Building, a 1908 landmark in downtown Poulsbo, WA, has been saved from demolition and transformed into a mixed-use hub with residential, retail, and dining spaces. Originally constructed by Norwegian immigrant and city founder Jorgen Eliason, the structure had devolved into a patchwork of three separate buildings with mismatched finishes and extensive decay after over a century of wear. The renovation preserves its original Scandinavian-inspired design while modernizing its function, retaining the historic façade that once defined the street’s character.
Local developer Kelly Clark, owner of Chinook Contractors, purchased the building in 2020 after years of neglect left it in disrepair. Work began in August 2023, with the goal of revitalizing a key section of downtown. The finished project includes 14,000 square feet of residential space, 10,000 square feet of retail, and a restaurant.
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Plumbing for the renovation was handled by Kimco Plumbing. They installed new piping, fixtures, and water systems throughout the building. Since tenants weren’t yet secured, they began with basic infrastructure before customizing each space.
The building’s age and downtown location added complexity. Structural constraints meant careful routing of pipes to avoid damaging historic beams, with particular attention to maintaining proper grade for wastewater systems. Jessica Young noted that, for plumbing purposes, the job was essentially new construction—no original systems remained, and every component had to be designed to fit within the existing framework without compromising its integrity.
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Low-flow fixtures from Moen and high-efficiency 50-gallon electric water heaters from Bradford White were installed to meet Washington State building codes, ensuring the building’s updated systems aligned with contemporary environmental and efficiency standards. Kimco wrapped most of its work by late 2025, with final touches on the last tenant space expected in June 2026.
The project’s success was a team effort. Robb Young credited Chinook Contractors for its collaborative approach, where trade teams worked together to solve problems rather than leaving one company to handle everything. Full planning, staging, and execution allowed the various contractors to synchronize their efforts, addressing challenges as they arose without delaying the timeline. Kimco and Chinook already have another multifamily project planned for later this year.
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Nikole Coleman, planning manager for the City of Poulsbo, called the renovation a benchmark for downtown development. “This project honors the building’s heritage while introducing modern, mixed-use living,” she said. The result is a space that adds character and livability to the area, demonstrating how historic preservation can coexist with contemporary functionality. The building’s transformation is expected to serve as a model for future projects in Poulsbo, encouraging similar efforts to blend old and new.
Kimco also gave local high school students a tour of the unfinished building, offering a glimpse into the work behind the restoration and the practical challenges of adapting modern systems to a historic structure.
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