New development proposed for Zane Burger site in Fairhaven
The iconic Zane Burger restaurant building in Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood could be demolished with new plans proposed for the site, according to a public notice posted on the building at 1315 12th Street.
Zane Burger was listed for sale in October 2022 after operating for six years. It’s been closed and vacant since November of that same year.
The former owner purchased the restaurant after Win’s Drive-In closed at the location in 2016. The restaurant was renamed and remodeled but still maintained the old-school burger-joint style.
Zane Burger was known for its made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, ice cream and beer on tap. It also featured a recognizable retro design with an iconic 1964 Ford Falcon sedan on the roof, which has remained in place since the restaurant’s closure.
An Everett-based company called Dykeman Architecture and Design intends to demolish the existing restaurant and construct a two-story retail Peoples Bank branch in its place. The project proposes offices on the second floor with surface parking available behind the building and along McKenzie Avenue.
“Peoples Bank purchased the Zane Burger building earlier this year. Peoples Bank has served the Fairhaven community for more than 25 years and we are excited to relocate our existing branch inside the Haggan grocery store to the new location to provide a full-service banking experience to our customers. We do not have a firm timeline for the relocation, but we are expecting it to take place sometime in 2025,” Chief Retail Banking Officer at Peoples Bank Kamyar Monsef said in a statement to The Bellingham Herald.
Dykeman could not be reached for comment for this article.
The company has a history of designing housing, mixed-use developments, K-12 education buildings, commercial and community projects. It has designed several other projects in Bellingham in recent years, including Alderwood, Birchwood and Lowell elementary schools.
Dykeman is holding a virtual public meeting to discuss the project proposal at 6 p.m. Nov. 16.
This story was originally published November 15, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
