Downtown Bellevue is Washington's second-largest city center, with nearly 12,000 residents in half a square mile. This densely populated urban core offers high-rise condos, luxury retail and parks. While smaller than nearby Seattle, Bellevue’s city center is a popular spot for people who want easy access to Washington’s great outdoors without forsaking the convenience of the city.
"There's a ton of places to have fun and network with the Bellevue community," says Realtor Matt Steel with Steel Realty Group, “plus, plenty of opportunities to access the outdoors.”
From casual dining to luxury retail
One of Downtown Bellevue’s biggest draws is its shopping, with over 200 shops and restaurants between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place. Locals can play TopGolf and enjoy elevated comfort food at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, go bowling and play mini-golf at Lucky Strike, or peruse luxury retail stores in The Shops at The Bravern’s open-air mall.
Outside of the shopping centers, plenty of local restaurants line Downtown Bellevue’s streets. Tavern Hall, on the corner of Bellevue Way and NE 7th Street, is a bar and restaurant with arcade games. The venue, covered in layers of vine, can be rented to host corporate and family celebrations.
Home cooks won’t be disappointed in Bellevue’s grocery selection. Grocery stores in the area include Safeway, H-Mart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
City parks and lakefront views
Located by the shores of Lake Washington, Downtown Bellevue is full of beautiful outdoor spots. The popular Bellevue Downtown Park is home to community events like the Bellevue Farmer's Market, movie screenings and live music. With its large grassy picnic area, colorful playground and gorgeous skyline views, it's the neighborhood’s go-to place to relax. Meydenbauer Bay Park, just east of downtown, is a great spot to soak up the sun in the summer. Locals fill the grassy shore with blankets and beach chairs during Washington’s warm seasons.
Throughout the year, locals stroll the galleries at Bellevue Art Museum, enjoy family outings at the interactive KidsQuest Children's Museum, and attend book clubs at Bellevue Library.
High-rise condos in the middle of everything
In Downtown Bellevue, residential buildings offer condos in an unbeatable location with views of Lake Washington. These luxury condos are a mix of high-rise and low-rise, offering amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies or patios. Prices range between $550,000 for a one-bedroom condo and up to $3 million for a multi-bedroom condo or penthouse. Single-family townhomes are uncommon in the downtown area—when they are available, prices start at $2 million for a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom just outside the city center. Even rarer are stand-alone houses, with modern custom-builds north of NE 12th Street selling for over $5 million.
High-ranking public schools
Students can attend schools in the Bellevue School District, rated A+ by Niche and ranked the number two public school district in Washington. They can attend Medina Elementary School for preschool through fifth grade and then continue to Chinook Middle School for sixth through eighth grade. Both schools are rated A by Niche. Students can enroll in Bellevue High School, rated A+ by Niche and listed as the 7th-best public high school in the state.
Private schools, including Bellevue Christian School, are also available. BCS was rated A by Niche and offers preschool through high school education. Another option is Eastside Academics School, which was rated A- by Niche and teaches grades eight through twelve.
Public transit and commuter options
Downtown Bellevue’s expansive transit system makes getting around without a car easy. King County Metro, Sound Transit buses, Sounder Commuter Rail and Link Light Rail combine to offer transportation through Bellevue and to the surrounding areas, including Sammamish, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Federal Way and Seattle.
Driving to nearby cities and towns is convenient since Interstates 90 and 405 entrances are close to residential areas. Seattle is 10 miles west of Downtown Bellevue and can be reached by taking Interstate 90 across the East Channel Bridge to Mercer Island and then across Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge. This drive can take 45 minutes to an hour during heavy traffic times and under a half hour when traffic is light.
GreatSchools:
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. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Downtown Bellevue, Bellevue sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Bellevue, Bellevue over the last 12 months is $1,070,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Meet Library Square. Located in Downtown Bellevue, blocks from all that the city has to offer. Enjoy sunrises at the easterly facing balcony. Updated kitchen and bathroom meet the needs of today's most discerning homeowner. New engineered hardwood flooring at main living area. Secure, gated garage parking provides an extra layer of comfort. No rental cap affords owners with the option of a
Experience urban luxury in this stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo in the heart of downtown Bellevue. Enjoy natural sunlight and breathtaking city/mountain views from every room. Open floor plan, spacious primary suit. Resort-style amenities: 24/7 concierge, indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, gym, rooftop deck, guest parking. HOA includes heat, A/C, water, sewer, 1G internet, cable, EQ insurance.
Live at the center of it all in this elegant downtown Bellevue townhome. Designed for comfort and sophistication, it offers a light-filled great room with high ceilings, custom window treatments and automated blinds, and a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances. Entertain on your private patio or retreat to the primary suite with marble finishes and a custom walk-in closet. Additional highlights
Experience vibrant city living in the heart of Bellevue’s Town Center. This southeast corner 2-bedroom residence at Mari is filled with natural light and features a spacious private patio with sweeping city views—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Inside, enjoy elegant finishes including custom kitchen cabinetry, wood-paneled appliances, quartz countertops, high ceilings, and wide-plank
Downtown Bellevue living at its best! This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo in Washington Square features floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and a modern kitchen with gas cooktop/oven, island, and stainless steel appliances. Relax by the gas fireplace or step onto the private balcony, accessible from both the living room and primary suite. Enjoy top-notch amenities including a
Live above it all on the 31st floor of Bellevue Towers, where city and nature collide in breathtaking fashion. From sunrise over Mt. Rainier to golden sunsets over Lake Washington and the shimmering Seattle skyline, every moment is framed by soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. The coveted southwest corner delivers the best views in the towers. This 2BR + den residence blends sleek sophistication
Inspired by the Savoie region in Europe, a place of rich diversity at the crossroads of three distinct countries, Broadstone Savoie offers access to a technology-lead business culture, the convenience of high-end shopping, and the serenity of a quiet neighborhood — the perfect intersection for modern living. With high-end finishes, luxurious amenities, and spectacular views, your new home at the
Corner 1BR plan enjoys city views that shines at night. Unit features luxury finishes, high end SS appliances, 9’ ceilings & balcony w/ gas for grilling. Enjoy fitness rms, spa, dining rm w/ kitchen, community rm, theater, guest suites, outdoor terraces, half-acre park and concierge service. Enjoy the perfect unit for city living. Near Bellevue Square, Downtown Park & much more. Move in/out fee
888 is 158 luxury residences on 18 floors with stunning territorial views of downtown Bellevue and beyond. Enjoy attention-to-detail designer finishes like custom closets and under-mount cabinet lighting in every unit. Hotel-like amenities include a 19th-floor rooftop deck, yoga studio, business center, and dog run, to name a few. With an angled design and boutique stacking plan, floor plans have
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
