Downtown Seattle
Neighborhood in Seattle, Washington
King County 98101, 98104

Seaboard Building condos, penthouses in high-rises
"If you were new to Seattle and you didn't see what it used to be and you were to scrap all of that and come live in Seattle now, you would most likely be living in multifamily, most likely condos or apartments," Glenn says.Residential landmarks include the early-1900s Seaboard Building. With prices comparable to other midrise vintage options, this Beaux-Arts-style building offers luxury condos. A Seaboard one-bedroom can cost $390,000, versus $1.4 million for the 2,500-square-foot penthouse, formerly department store magnate John Nordstrom's office.
Many downtowners live in high-rise condos overlooking Puget Sound. Condos constructed from 2000 to 2010 range from about $500,000 for a one-bedroom of less than 1,000 square feet to as much as $12 million for a penthouse with more than 5,000 square feet. Condos come with numerous perks, including private balconies and decks, clubhouses, fitness centers, pools and saunas. Monthly homeowners association fees are proportional to property values, ranging from about $750 to over $8,000. Some buildings do not include parking; a single garage space can sell for $45,000.
The CAP Index crime score is 9 out of 10; however, according to the Downtown Seattle Association, the number of violent crime incidents has fallen. In 2023, violent crime was at its lowest level since 2018.
Waterfront Park makeover, Olympic Sculpture Park
The city has been making efforts to update and improve the waterfront. A transformed shoreline park is being created in place of Waterfront Park at Pier 58. It's expected to be completed by 2025 and include gardens, trails and areas for concerts and festivals. Olympic Sculpture Park, an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum, is about a mile up the coast and has paths for pedestrian and cyclist use. The annual Seattle Pride Parade starts with a preshow at Westlake Park and takes a route along Fourth Avenue. The largest parade in Washington state, the event celebrates over 250 groups, companies and nonprofits.Lowell Elementary, Meany Middle, Garfield High
Public schools include Lowell Elementary, which has a B-minus grade from Niche and on-site after-school childcare through the Boys and Girls Club of King County. Meany Middle School has a B-plus, and Garfield High School has an A. The area also has several highly rated private schools, such as The Downtown School: A Lakeside School, an independent coeducational high school with an A grade.Additionally, the Seattle Public Library Central Library is located Downtown and offers programs and resources for students of all ages.
Seattle attractions and performance venues
There's no need for idle time in Downtown Seattle. There are many attractions and exciting things to do, including visits to the Seattle Art Museum or the Seattle Aquarium. It's about a mile to T-Mobile Park, where the Seattle Mariners play, or Lumen Field for the Seattle Seahawks, Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC and National Women's Soccer League's Seattle Reign FC. The stadiums also host major touring acts, conventions and other events."I haven't heard much about Downtown nightlife recently, but there are definitely venues that people go to," Glenn says. The Paramount Theatre is one location that comes to mind. The historical venue features musicals, plays and concerts. The Moore Theatre, built in 1907, hosts national performers, including comedians and dance troupes. Both venues are under the care of the nonprofit Seattle Theatre Group, which has a community outreach and educational programming component.
Buses, monorail, Pier 50 ferries and water taxis
Downtown is very walkable, and King County Metro and Sound Transit buses run throughout the city and beyond. The refillable ORCA card makes paying for public transportation easy. The Seattle Center Monorail runs out of the station at Westlake Center, which was upgraded with $7 million worth of improvements in 2021. The trains run to Seattle Center destinations like the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture and the Climate Pledge Arena.University Street Station is one of the closest Sound Transit Link light rail stations. It's less than 2 miles to King Street Station, which offers Sound Transit Link light rail, First Hill Seattle Streetcars, Sounder commuter trains and Amtrak service.
Pier 55 has Argosy Fast Ferry service to Blake Island, and Pier 50 has King County Metro ferries to Kingston, Southworth, Bremerton and Bainbridge. The Water Taxi travels from Pier 50 to West Seattle and Vashon Island.
Some parking garages and electric vehicle charging stations are available in the area. Interstate 5 is nearby, and it's about 13 miles to Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and a 34-mile drive south to Tacoma.
Pier pastimes, Ivar's, Pike Place and more shopping
Piers along the bay feature numerous lures, from the iconic Seattle Great Wheel Ferris wheel to sea tour sellers, specialty shops and ferries. Along the waterfront, restaurants like Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56 and Ivar's on Pier 54 bring the sea to shore. Neil Northrop, a member of Elvis tribute band Kentucky Rainband, says the original owner of Ivar's, Ivar Haglund, was a big Seattle character. "He was kind of a local hero, a seafood guy, but he also did a lot for marine animals," Northrop says. "He took a baby seal in a baby carriage to a mall one time." The seal stunt was for the purpose of promoting Seattle's first aquarium, which Haglund opened in 1938. A folk singer and radio celebrity, Haglund popularized the song "Acres of Clams," which is also the name of the other Ivar's eatery on Pier 54.Multistory mall Westlake Center is one place to shop, and it has a food court, which includes Sushi Burrito and CaliBurger. One of the area's biggest draws is the waterfront Pike Place Market, one of the oldest operating farmers markets in the country, founded in 1907. "It's for outdoor and indoor shopping: fresh, fresh stuff," Glenn says. Fishmongers, produce farmers and craftsmen sell their goods at the market. Grocers in the area include H Mart and Whole Foods Market.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Michele Schuler
Realogics Sotheby's Int'l Rlty
(206) 210-1706
187 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Seattle
$750,000 Price
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Emily Niles
Responds QuicklyPropertiesNW of Gig Harbor Ltd
(360) 282-0981
130 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Seattle
$545,000 Price
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Moira Holley
Realogics Sotheby's Int'l Rlty
(206) 496-0814
93 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Seattle
$710K - $900K Price Range
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Christina McDonald
Coldwell Banker Bain
(206) 312-4528
73 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Seattle
$635,000 Price
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Lauren GeRoy
Responds QuicklySPIRE ONE Realty
(206) 203-5536
68 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Seattle
$440K - $490K Price Range
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Shane Ristine
Responds QuicklyWindermere Real Estate Midtown
(206) 866-2465
80 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Seattle
$438,990 Price
Schools
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Seattle | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 4 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
Robbery | 9 | 4 |
Burglary | 10 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 4 |
Larceny | 10 | 4 |
Crime Score | 9 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Seattle Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Seattle, Seattle sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Seattle, Seattle over the last 12 months is $719,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
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Sunday, Jun 151 - 3pm
$698,000
- 1 Bed
- 1.5 Baths
- 910 Sq Ft
- 1920 4th Ave
- Unit 604
- New 2 days ago
LIVE THE ESCALA LIFE in this elegant West-facing home. Enjoy direct elevator access to your private foyer, offering both exclusivity & a grand entrance. Dazzling city skyline & 4th Ave corridor views from your floor-to-ceiling windows & 120SF covered terrace. Airy & light-filled year-round with 9.5' ceilings, designer lighting & central A/C. Sophisticated interiors boast wide-plank light oak
Corey Patt Coldwell Banker Bain
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Wednesday, Jun 1812 - 3pm
$11,500,000
- 3 Beds
- 3.5 Baths
- 5,170 Sq Ft
- 1920 4th Ave
- Unit PH101
Experience unparalleled luxury in this masterfully reimagined Escala penthouse. Meticulously remodeled and designed for the most discerning tastes by NB Design Group. Spanning 5,180 sq. ft., PH101 commands half of the 30th floor, offering 180-degree views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and city lights. Enter through a private vestibule into a home of impeccable craftsmanship, featuring
Phillip Greely The Agency Seattle
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods

World-class views, high-rise condos, and an artsy, eclectic vibe

Bustling cityscape minutes away from Downtown Seattle

Blending history, community, culture and food to forge a vibrant future

Home to Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market and other city attractions

Professional sports, art galleries and diverse dining

High rise condo building and lots of restaurants in this downtown neighborhood