Built in 1918, the Ford Building housed the Ford Truck Service Center. The building includes 15,369sq ft of full height concrete lower level with 12 foot ceilings with a street level access ramp. 15,369sq ft of Douglas fir floors make up the main floor and brick and beam or "Heavy Timber" construction (18" x 24" beams) with an exposed Douglas fir truss system and 120sq ft wall to wall beams hold up the impressive 22ft high ceiling.

The Ford Building transformed into various automobile uses over the years and eventually a garment manufacturer supporting REI, whose headquarters were across the street, through the early 1980's.

Purchased by Michael Malone in 1987, the building served as the Distribution Center and later, technical operation center, for DMX Music (formerly AEI Music Services, INC.)

Although Malone sold AEI in 2002, he retained all the buildings that made up the urban campus of AEI and the music company continued as a tenant until 2009.

In late 2009 and early 2010, the building went through a 100% complete transformation in design and use with renovation costs just over a $2,000,000.

Renovations included a complete seismic upgrade including a full global lateral system, two moment frames and wall-to-wall ceiling anchors. Occupancy permit changed from office/warehouse to "A" Street Retail/Restaurant. Anchor Tenants: Elliott Bay Book Company and Café – over 800 daily transactions and attracts a diverse customer group and Everyday Music -- one of five successful retail stores. Coming Spring 2012 Totokaelo a Seattle based woman's clothing store featuring both young and established designers