Block 41

What Block 41 does

Block 41 is a privately held event venue operator headquartered in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood at 115 Bell Street, housed in a repurposed 1927 former ice warehouse spanning 15,000 square feet across two levels plus an outdoor courtyard. The company rents three discrete spaces - the Bert & Tot Ballroom (capacity 400 standing/350 seated), the Ewing Theater (capacity 250 standing/216 seated), and the Courtyard (capacity 110+ standing/56 seated) - to clients hosting weddings, corporate events, non-profit fundraisers, conferences, fashion shows, concerts, photo shoots, and film productions. The venue integrates state-of-the-art AV equipment (three ceiling-mounted projectors, drop-down screens, full-building sound system), an expandable DMX-control lighting system, high-efficiency LED lighting exceeding LEED standards, and 100/100mbps symmetrical internet infrastructure for livestreaming.

The core technology stack combines physical venue infrastructure (retractable walls, garage-door load-in access, ADA-compliant elevators, in-floor power outlets at 100amps/50amps 208v per floor) with Tripleseat private event management software for inquiry and quoting. The architectural design by Graham Baba preserves original 1920s elements (Douglas fir support structure, board-formed concrete walls, vintage car decking) while integrating commissioned artisanal pieces (Stephen Hirt's 60-foot illuminated steel-and-glass gate, Meg Bye's leather-wrapped columns, custom chandelier) that differentiate the property from generic event halls.

Block 41's business model rests on three revenue streams: (1) one-time venue rental licenses charged on an hourly basis with a 10-hour base rental that includes AV equipment, prep kitchens, furniture, an on-site representative, and 5 hours of AV technician support; (2) sales commissions collected from a network of 9 preferred caterers (Foodz Catering, Blue Ribbon Cooking, Ravishing Radish, Kaspars, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, Lisa Dupar, Toast & Taste, Gourmondo, Cameron Catering) for use of on-site catering and AV equipment; and (3) partnership-based referrals via 5 downtown Seattle hotels offering discounted room blocks. The venue operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market motion through its website, phone (206-347-0541), email ([email protected]), and preferred vendor referrals, serving enterprise clients (Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Nordstrom, Whole Foods, NBC Dateline, PBS, Xbox, SIFF, Georgetown University, Children's Hospital) and individual wedding clients. Ownership rests with commercial real estate developer Dan Temkin, with operations led day-to-day by General Manager Don Boshears who joined in late 2024.

Name

Block 41

Legal name

Block 41

Website

https://block41.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Block 41 is a privately held Seattle event venue in a repurposed 1927 ice warehouse, renting three industrial-chic spaces (Ballroom, Theater, Courtyard) to corporate clients, non-profits, wedding couples, and film/media productions via one-time venue licenses and vendor commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Event Rentals (Furniture, Staging, Tents) (HSACADAI)

Keywords

• Private event venue
• Wedding venue rental
• Corporate event space
• Film production venue
• Livestream event space

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Block 41 generates revenue through hourly/daily rental of its event spaces including the Bert & Tot Ballroom, Ewing Theater, and Courtyard. Rental includes standard amenities, AV equipment, and on-site representative. They offer regular and non-profit rates, with base rental of 10 hours including load-in and load-out. Additional hours can be added.
2. Preferred Vendor Commissions: All caterers pay a sales commission to Block 41 for use of and for the upkeep of all on-site catering and AV equipment, as well as marketing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Block 41 is a 9,400 sq. ft. private event venue in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, set inside a 1927 historic former ice warehouse. It rents four flexible event spaces—the Bert & Tot Ballroom, Ewing Theater, Courtyard, and Photo Studio—for weddings, corporate events, non-profit fundraisers, photo and film productions, and virtual/livestream events, with optional on-site production, lighting, staging, and livestream services.

Product overview

Block 41 is an award-winning event venue offering a portfolio of three discrete indoor and outdoor spaces for a variety of events. The venue consists of the Bert & Tot Ballroom (upper-level elegant event space), The Ewing Theater (lower-level theatrical/event space), and The Courtyard (outdoor landscaped garden). Block 41 provides additional services including film production location rentals, virtual/livestreaming events in partnership with Blue Danube Productions, and photo shoot studio spaces. The venue targets weddings, corporate events, non-profit fundraisers, concerts, fashion shows, conferences, and film productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bert & Tot Ballroom A large event space accommodating up to 220 seated guests, used for wedding receptions, galas, and corporate gatherings. Located on one of Block 41's two flexible event floors.
• Ewing Theater A theater-equipped event space at Block 41 with 3-wall theatrical staging, DMX lighting, and theater lighting, used for presentations, screenings, ceremonies, and staged performances.
• Courtyard Indoor and outdoor courtyard space at Block 41 suitable for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions, combinable with the other venue spaces.
• Photo Studio Dedicated photo studio space at Block 41 used for still photography and small-scale production shoots.
• On-site Production Services Event production services at Block 41 including DMX lighting, LED lighting, theater lighting, and 3-wall theatrical staging for weddings, corporate events, and productions.
• Virtual & Livestream Event Services Livestream and virtual event services using Block 41's full livestream room, which is fiber-connected with three hardline internet connections, enabling hybrid weddings, corporate events, and remote broadcasts.
• Weddings & Celebrations Venue Rental Wedding and celebration event hosting at Block 41, combining the Bert & Tot Ballroom, Ewing Theater, Courtyard, and Photo Studio with bridal suite, bar, catering kitchen, and flexible floor layouts for ceremonies and receptions.
• Corporate Event Venue Rental Corporate event hosting at Block 41 for meetings, product launches, brand activations, and holiday parties, with on-site production, lighting, staging, and livestream capabilities.
• Non-Profit Fundraiser Venue Rental Venue rental for non-profit galas and fundraisers at Block 41, with non-profit discount pricing, scalable spaces for 200+ guests, and optional livestream support.
• Photo Shoot & Film Production Venue Rental Rental of Block 41 spaces for photo shoots and film/TV production, with loading dock, freight elevator, on-site lighting, and flexible room setups for commercials, episodic TV, and feature film shoots.

Quantifiable outcome

• Capacity to host groups from 100 to 700
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Giordano ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2020Block 41 partnered with Giordano Productions to create 'Mondays at the Block,' a non-profit concert series featuring exceptional local talent and national/international stars. Block 41 donates the space and 100% of ticket proceeds go directly to artists. This aligns with Block 41's mission to support Seattle's creative community.
• Blue Danube ProductionscoreTechnology or IntegrationBlock 41 partnered with Blue Danube Productions for professional livestreaming capabilities, enabling virtual events, online conferences, product launches, and livestreamed concerts with broadcast-quality cameras, real-time graphics, and audience engagement features.
• Thompson SeattleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering 15-25% off published room rates including suites, room blocks, VIP Nest reservations, access to transportation and concierge services. Located 0.4 miles / 8 min walk from Block 41.
• Charter HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering room blocks, room discounts off published rates, upgraded wedding couple room with breakfast, discounted parking, waived hotel amenity fee. Located 0.6 miles / 8 min walk from Block 41.
• Edgewater HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering discounted room blocks featuring upgraded room for wedding couple. Located 0.3 miles / 7 min walk from Block 41.
• Palladian HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering discounted room blocks, wedding night bubbly, wedding night suites, getting ready suite, complimentary bikes, hosted evening social hour, fitness center and luxury bath essentials. Located 0.3 miles / 6 min walk from Block 41.
• The Sound HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partnership offering discounted group and courtesy room blocks, upgraded wedding couple room with bottle of bubbly, complimentary welcome amenity, discounted valet parking, fitness center and complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Preferred Caterers (9 vendors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlock 41 has 9 preferred caterers: Foodz Catering, Blue Ribbon Cooking, Ravishing Radish, Kaspars Catering, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, Lisa Dupar Catering, Toast & Taste, Gourmondo, and Cameron Catering. All caterers pay a sales commission to Block 41 for use of and for the upkeep of on-site catering and AV equipment.
• Graham Baba Architecture FirmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning architecture firm that led the adaptive reuse design of the 1927 building into a contemporary event venue, preserving historical elements while adding modern amenities.
• Stephen Hirt (Metal & Glass Artist)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle metal and glass master commissioned to create the courtyard gate and entry chandelier for Block 41. The 60-foot art gate with glass rivets and illuminated stainless steel fence serves as both functional element and sculptural art piece.
• Meg Bye (Functional Sculptor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunctional sculptor commissioned to create custom leather corsets for Block 41's wooden pillars and leather detail work on mobile bars and lecterns.
• Tom Sturge (Lighting Designer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatrical lighting designer responsible for designing lighting for entire space along with audio video systems, video screens, microphones and stage lighting for event spaces.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Peerspace: Online marketplace connecting event organizers with unique venue rentals. Competes for the same end-customers as Block 41 and offers an alternative booking channel, particularly for smaller events and photo/film shoots.

Broad incumbents

• The Fairmont Olympic Hotel: Seattle luxury hotel with ballroom and meeting facilities serving weddings and corporate events. Overlaps with Block 41 on event-rental demand but operates as a broader hospitality business with overnight lodging as its core offering.
• Hotel Sorrento: Historic Seattle boutique hotel offering event spaces for weddings and corporate functions. Competes with Block 41 in the upscale Seattle event market but is anchored by lodging operations.
• Industrious: Premium flexible-workspace provider that increasingly hosts corporate events and offsites. Adjacent competitor for corporate event bookings, especially as hybrid work normalizes the use of non-traditional meeting venues.

Direct peers

• Fremont Foundry: Adaptive-reuse event venue in Seattle offering industrial-chic spaces for weddings, corporate events, and galas. Directly comparable to Block 41 on customer mix, aesthetic positioning, and use-case breadth in the Seattle market.
• Bell Harbor International Conference Center: Seattle waterfront venue offering conference, meeting, and event space. Comparable to Block 41 in serving large-format corporate events and galas in downtown Seattle.
• Georgetown Ballroom: Historic Seattle event venue hosting weddings, corporate functions, and fundraisers. Comparable to Block 41 in capacity range, target customer segments, and emphasis on flexible indoor/outdoor configurations.
• AXIS Pioneer Square: Downtown Seattle event venue targeting corporate events, fundraisers, and private celebrations. Competes with Block 41 for the same Belltown-adjacent corporate and wedding clientele.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/block41_seattle
• Facebookfacebook.com/block41seattle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/block-41-seattle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Block 41