Those who stayed behind occupied the first four floors of the Hodge Building; other floors remained unoccupied. Whittier is known as "the town under one roof" since nearly all of its roughly 200 residents live in Begich Towers, an army barracks turned residential tower block. It was built by the military in 1956 for soldiers and their families and later became a home for civilians in 1973. Watch this video link to tour the Begich Towers. ", A few weeks ago, Jenessa started posting about her life in the building on TikTok, and soon had millions of views and just about as many questions. the property described as unit no. Bob Prunella was brought to Whittier as an interim city manager, but he's now stayed here for two years. The structure stands 14 stories high with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. ", Gary Carr works at the Kozy Korner Store, which is housed on the ground floor of Begich Towers. Begich Towers serves as a cozy condominium which features a post office, general store, police station, laundromat, hospital, mayors office, and a heated indoor pool. In the basement of the Hodge Building, the plastic-lined water containers were also undisturbed. It was built in three sections connected by metal plates so that it wouldnt crack apart during a quake. Following the Army's departure, each building had to get its own system, including the Begich Towers, which had a pair of boilers in a side building. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking . Whittier operates under a city manager form of government, which means that the mayor serves mainly as a figurehead. Over the years the building has started to look a little rundown. "Alaska is quite an unevangelized state," he explains. Erika lives in high up in the Begich Towers, a large pastel building that like it would be more at home in New Jersey than small town Alaska. In Whittier, Alaska, almost the entire population of 318 year-round residents live under one roof. Light and bright apartment style condos you would expect to find for sale in the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK are going to range between 511 and 1827 square feet. Some have a combination of all four!. Each office independently owned and operated. Dental health aides spend two years learning basic dental care, and are then stationed in a remote community; they offer preventative services and perform basic procedures like fillings and extractions, so that when the dentist comes to town he can focus on more complex dental problems. A police station, grocery store, clinic, church, convenience store, and school are all housed within the structure. There is almost no reason to leave the building, which on some days, is a major benefit because the city of Whittier is also famous for its windy and rainy weather. The listing content relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of Alaska Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (AK MLS). Dock hands who unload the supply barges in Whittier also shuttle in from Anchorage once a week. Begich Towers is nearly earthquake and fire-proof. The location was strategically important because of its deep-water port, which stayed ice-free all year long, and its lousy weather: the near-constant cloud cover made it difficult for enemy aircraft to spot. From 1941 until 1943 Army engineer Anton Anderson led the largest tunneling project in United States history. When Pastor Kevin Jones got a call from God to become a missionary, a friend suggested he go to Alaska. A fitness centre and several cafes located near the house have also been built to the service of local residents. right?". And you always have someone to talk to.". That said, it's a hard place for a social life. They also had a lot of civil rights actions here [in Alaska] in the forties; the Natives werent even allowed to sit in the movie theater with white people. Located around 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, the town of Whittier has a 14-storey building that also houses a health clinic, police station and convenience store. The military was drawn to Whittier for many reasons, primarily because it is the states only year-round ice-free deep-water port. The state of Alaska is rugged and beautiful beyond compare. A small percentage of the population lives in Whittier Manor, a low-rise condo that overlooks the clanking rail yard, and a couple of people live on their boats year round. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls, with views of an inlet filled with whales, otters and puffins, tucked below a rocky mountain vista sits the Begich Towers. "We're too small to function in isolation," said Erk. Request a FREE custom valuation for your Begich Towers Condo in Whittier AK. Katrina BentonKeller Williams Realty Hire a professional, positive, and proactive nationwideteam of Realtorsto help you sell or buyyour next home! The Hodge Building was constructed as three separate towers connected by metal plates. If you wish to report an issue or seek an accommodation, please, 442-H New York Standard Operating Procedures. LGBTQ Legal Protections updated by Movement Advancement Project, Trulia is a registered Trademark of Zillow, Inc. Zillow, Inc. holds real estate brokerage, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Zillow Group is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. OnePlus 11 5Gs Focus on Customer Satisfaction And User Experience Is Why Its A Phone For Keeps! The weather might prevent you from leaving the building for months at a time but you can go to the Kozy Korner grocery store in pajamas and slippers. Experience Whittier living at Begich Towers. . Built in 1943, this self-contained secure facility housed the radio and telegraph communications equipment. Several bathrooms still have the original pink tiles and the yellow counter tops in the kitchens. Of course, not all residents are friends with each other, but they help each other if required. At 11 pm the tunnel is locked for the night. The monthly dues cover the heat, electricity, exterior and groundsmaintenance, garbage service, water and sewer service, and snow removal. Theres no money in it, she says, but its nothing to me and its a big deal for them, so what the fuck, why not blow their skirts up?. The impressive engineering behind the 14-story Hodge Building was on display as its three separate towers swayed but miraculously did not collapse. Some keep them for watching whales or goats grazing, but one resident admits theyre for determining if your husbands at the bar.. Recreational activities near Begich Towers Apartments are plentiful. In the process he stopped up the plumbing on the floors below hima neighbor called city management to complain that someone had flushed large amounts of dog food down the toilets, but it turned out to be pellets of grow medium. When Ed first moved to Whittier he was living on a 32-foot bayliner, but it was difficult to heat such a large boat, and besides, he was told the waitlist for a berth that would accommodate a boat that size would be 15 years. ]. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. When the sun returns to the sky, residents pour out of BTI in shorts and T-shirts. June's Whittier Bed and Breakfast Condos is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Whittier, offering many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. Jim's studio is located in Whittier Manor, the only other residential building in Whittier besides Begich Towers. Whittier, just sixty miles from the epicenter, was severely damaged by the ensuing tsunamis, which brought waves up to 43 feet (13m) tall into town. The Begich Tower was built by the U.S. Army in 1952 to be used as a barracks during the Cold War. This means that although there is a pervasive smell of marijuana in Begich Towers, the police can do little about it. One unique feature, there is a pedestrian tunnel linking the complex to the . Whittier, Alaska, on Prince William Sound. from . $175.00. The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. In recent decades, civilians have begun to trickle into a former army barracks at the heart of the town called Begich Towers. The tower is actually three structures mashed into one: an east building, a middle building, and a west building, combined over four years from 1953 to 1957. The massive structures were, for years, the two largest buildings in Alaska. Two winters ago the snowdrifts near Whittier School were piled so high that the principal let students go outside to take pictures of one another hanging from a street lamp. Viewing: Begich Towers | Desktop Version | Listing Updated: 01/20/2023, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Apartments (142), Anchorage School District Apartments (603). During the summer the towns population swells as boaters, fishermen, seasonal workers, and tourists descend upon the small port. As of 2016, funding for repairs relating to maintaining mechanical systems and renovating the faade came with a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Good access to hiking and some of the area's best fishing in Prince William Sound.. Year Built: 1954. The buildings former jail, now apartment 411, was appraised at $19,500 and listed for sale in 1976: the old jail, complete with bars on both bedroom doors, steel bunks hanging from the wall, three authentic bullet holes in the walls and window sill, plus a front view of the city, small boat harbor, and Prince William Sound.. The building, called Begich Towers, is a former Army barracks that resembles a very large hotel. The only way to get to Whittier is to drive through a one-lane railroad tunnel through the middle of a mountain. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. Inside, sets of branched corridors and elevators allow residents access to all areas of the complex. During the summer months, when the sun shines 22 hours a dayvisitors from around the world who are curious about life in Begich Towers flock to Whittier. All Rights Reserved. In Whittier's 99693 neighborhood, moving to this community offers plenty of nearby highlights. The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. The new Begich Towers includes 196 units, enough to house the entire town. Mon, Feb 27, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 A Trending Reel Challenge That Can Win Us a Brand-New Swift? 301, begich towers condominiums, as shown on the floor plans filed in the office of the recorder of the anchorage recording district, third judicial district, state of alaska, under plat number w74-1, and as identified in the declaration recorded march 26, 1974, book 2, page 571, and in any 100 Kenai St Unit 414, a condos home located in Whittier, AK has 2 beds, 1 baths, and is 932 square feet. The Begich Towers Condominium Association of Apartment Owners was incorporated in 1974 as a 196-unit condo community. Value 3.7. The first floor of the building had almost everything a city needs to function. Whittier started to emerge from the Armys shadow when the city was officially incorporated in 1969. Non-residents can enter the 1s floor where the city offices are and the top two floors where there is a bed and breakfast. Due to bad weather and roads, locals are not able to go anywhere and if they somehow manage to go out, they face lots of problems while coming back because there is no direct way to reach this place. Find similar condos for sale to the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. Too costly and dangerous to demolish, the building is still there today. Actor's Brother Spills The Beans, Cricketer Virat Kohli Says His Wife Anushka Sharma Has Made Massive Sacrifices As A Mother, New Meme Unlocked: Pakistani Cooking Show Contestant Presents Store-Bought Biryani To Judges, Goes Viral, Is Introducing A Sex Toy To Your Love Life A Good Idea? Begich Towers: An Alaskan Town in a Tower By Sometimes Interesting In the 1950s the United States government built a bunker of a residential skyscraper in the Alaskan wilderness. "It's like, no, it's not! Check The Alaska Marine Highways Website for a current Port Schedule for Whittier AK. Directions by Sea: The Alaska Marine Highway serves the community of Whittier, AK with passenger service onboard the M/V Aurora. Gary grew up in the hills of Arkansas, where he watched the Little Rock Crisis unfold on his TV screen. Depending upon placement within the towers, each unit has an unobstructed view of the harbor and bay or the mountains and waterfalls. Because I dont know where it wants to go. Some residents would like to see growth and economic development in Whittier, but theres a sizable group who would just rather be left alone. Enjoy waterfall views from the 6th floor and an abundance of awesome outdoor activities. The Hodge Building was transformed into a public building with several units, including the headquarters of the major institutions and commercial services of Whittier. 60 miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Private Walking Tour in Whittier AK. Before the year 2000 there was no vehicular access to Whittier. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); UnusualPlaces.org is your guide to quirky, weird and beautiful places to visit around the world. make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. From small staff to the owner, all live together in this building where all the facilities like a police station, provision store, laundry, church and hospitals are located under one roof. The weather in this corner of Alaska is very unpredictable - winds blow at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and snowfall reaches 250 inches and sometimes 400 inches. Over 700,000 people visit Whittier annually, but most tourists dont stay in town for longer than an afternoon, if that. While following the Rolling Stones across the country during their 1972 tour, Jim Bell found a discarded cardboard sign on the side of the road that read: ALASKA. On a whim he picked it up and stuck his thumb out. If there is a fire, at least everyone will stay warm. For the dozens of children who live here, the building connects to the school through an underground tunnel. "You know, you get to thinking, Oh man, the tunnel's the only way out. In 1974, the large, extraordinarily secure building became a large condominium complex, ideally suited to shield residents from the harsh Alaskan climate. The weather in this corner of Alaska is very unpredictable - winds blow at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and snowfall reaches 250, The building was built in 1956 and during. Like everyone who lives on the harbor-facing side of Begich Towers, June keeps a pair of binoculars on her windowsill. Enormous, spooky, mazelike, full of beer cans and debris, the Buckner building is catnip for teenagers, graffiti artists, urban explorers, and photographers. The description and property data below may have been provided by a third party, the homeowner or public records. Whittier started out in the mid-1950s as a military outpost. Less than ten percent of Whittier's population lives there. When we shot this photo, the wind was blowing upwards of 60 mph and there were no other customers in the bar. Both were constructed in the wake of World War II along with the railroad leading in, a combined $55 million build that . Your browser is out of date or unsupported. During our time in town, a number of residents alluded to Whittiers wilder days, when you could go there to escape life on the other side of the tunnel. May 23, 2021 / 9:54 AM Thank you for reading about Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. The other is the Buckner building. Were All in for Arena Reel Star! What is now the Begich Towers was part of that plan. It can shatter windshields and rip your car doors right off. On our first night in town, a small earthquake hit, but we thought it was just another gust of wind rattling the windowpanes. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than , are marked with either the listing brokerage's logo or the AK MLS logo and information about them includes the name of the listing brokerage. CV Raman Birth Anniversary: Rare Footage Of Indian Scientist In Sweden To Receive Nobel Prize. About an. [ During the winter of 1956/57, the Port of Whittier received a record snowfall of 72 feet. Thus, it is possible to save on heating here, which is especially important when a strong wind blows here most of the year, it is snowing or raining. Brenda Tolman is known for the two reindeer she keeps in a pen across the street from Begich Towers, but she also spends much of her time making wood carvings, dolls, jewelry and other crafts to sell to tourists at her shop on the harbor. This has earned Whittier the nickname of a "town under one roof".[1]. It is one of Alaska's most famous buildings, mostly, because more than half of Whittier lives here. Disclaimer: ActiveRain, Inc. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. Most condos have extensively updated and remodeled since then. ]. the old jail, complete with bars on both bedroom doors, steel bunks hanging from the wall, three authentic bullet holes in the walls and window sill, plus a front view of the city, small boat harbor, and Prince William Sound. In the 1950s the Army began construction on BTI (then called the Hodge Building) and another barracks, the Buckner Building, which was built for enlisted men. As of 2015, only one of the two boilers serving Begich Towers was functional, but it experienced major maintenance-related issues almost daily. The name of the 14-floor building is The Begich Tower which is the residence for nearly the entire population of the city. Alaska Railroad is the largest land owner, but it doesnt pay property taxes and employs few locals. Walk a little into the room and you will see government offices, as well as Kozy Korner convenience store, a shop where everyone is shopping. Kids with questions on their homework can go down the hall and knock on the door to the teachers apartment. Comfortable floor plans and panoramic views will make you feel right at home in the Begich Towers Condos in Whittier AK. In addition, we feature unusual hotels and restaurants. Protect yourself from fraud. Home Details for 401 Begich Towers Property Information Year Built Year Built: 1940 LGBTQ Local Legal Protections Homes for Rent Near 401 Begich Towers Off Market Homes Near 401 Begich Towers 401 Begich Towers, Whittier, AK 99693 is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 740 sqft property built in 1940. the property described as unit 104, begich towers condominiums, as shown on the floor plans filed in the office of the recorder of the anchorage recording district, third judicial district, state of alaska, under plat number "'74-1, and as identified in the declaration recorded march 26, 1974, book 2, page 571, and in any [ Buckner Building: Named in honor of General Simon Bolivar Buckner, the large building crammed an entire military post into one building. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them "Yeah, it's a very strange town, because there's only one way in and one way out," said resident Lee Shuford. 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