 Owners Robert B. Paterson and James M. Comstock supported the post-fire effort and did not raise prices in order to take advantage of the disaster, which began the tradition, “be fair to everyone.” Construction of the Crescent building, designed by noted Spokane architect Loren L. Rand, began in 1917 and continued to 1919.Originally five stories in height, the building was later expanded to seven.In 1949 the Crescent purchased the Alexander Building, adjacent to the south, so that it extended half a city block.