Downtown Seattle's Elephant Car Wash to close, neon sign to be donated to MOHAI

Iconic Elephant Car Wash sign may be headed towards demolition.
Kevin Schafer/Getty Images

South Lake Union's iconic neon pink Elephant Car Wash sign will soon be coming down and moved to its new home at the Museum of History and Industry.

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Rumors of possible demolition began swirling after the Daily Journal of Commerce reported that Clise Properties, which owns the property on Battery Street and Denny Way which the sign sits on, applied for a demolition permit this week.

On Thursday, the Auburn-based Elephant Car Wash, which owns 14 car washes in the Puget Sound region, confirmed that they would be ceasing operations downtown and donating the beloved sign. The company cited nearby homelessness, drug activity and the city's "increasing, burdensome regulatory demands" as their reason for closing downtown.

Elephant Car Wash locations in Sodo and Bellevue remain open.

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A museum spokesperson stated they are "honored" to receive the sign and have already created a fund for its repair and restoration. The museum owns several other landmarks including the P-I globe and the original Rainier "R" sign.

"The Elephant Car Wash sign is a beloved symbol of our community," said MOHAI Executive Director Leonard Garfield. "We are excited to become the new stewards of the sign and continue the great work of the Elephant Car Wash team in preserving this irreplaceable part of our city’s heritage.”

The local landmark was built in 1956 by Beatrice Haverfield, dubbed the "Queen of Neon," who also created neon signs for Dick's Drive-In. The elephant is reportedly one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.

The famous sign has appeared in commercials, music videos and movies in the Emerald City and has even attracted visitors such as the Secret Service and Elvis Presley.

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This story will be updated as more information is available.

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