Structure
Fourteen-story concrete tower
Pale brick, stone and terra cotta dress the reinforced-concrete building.
Seattle Condo Buildings
Gainsborough
Gainsborough is a 1930 First Hill residential tower designed by Earle W. Morrison in the French Chateauesque style.
1017 Minor Avenue · First Hill · Seattle
Building Highlights
- Built
- 1930
- Stories
- 14 fl
- Residences
- 56 homes
- Neighborhood
- First Hill
- Building Type
- Condominium
- Market
- Seattle
The Building Story
A French-inspired roofline above First Hill
Gainsborough is a 1930 First Hill residential tower designed by Earle W. Morrison in the French Chateauesque style. Its fourteen-story reinforced-concrete structure is finished with pale brick, a stone base and ornate terra cotta. A steep roofline gives the building a distinctive silhouette, reflecting the ambitious apartment architecture that appeared on First Hill during the late 1920s and early 1930s.
The building was converted to condominiums in 1980 and contains 56 homes. Its architecture continues to shape maintenance as well as appearance. RDH documents a roof rehabilitation completed in 2025 that replaced masonry roof tiles with an architectural metal shingle system and included work to low-slope roof areas, stucco, sealants and selected terra cotta. That completed project is useful context for buyers, while the association’s current financial records and remaining maintenance plans establish what responsibilities come with an individual purchase.
Architect
Earle W. Morrison
The building’s French Chateauesque design dates to 1930.
Conversion
56 condominium homes
The building was converted to condominiums in 1980.
Recent work
Roof rehabilitation completed in 2025
RDH documents metal shingles, low-slope roof work and targeted exterior restoration.
Good to know
Before choosing a home here
- Review the 2025 roof project’s closeout, warranties and financial treatment, together with the latest reserve study and any remaining exterior work.
- Confirm the approval process before changing windows or other elements that affect the building’s historic appearance.
- Compare the offered home’s retained interiors and renovations rather than assuming every residence has the same historic detailing.
Explore the research behind this building
Architecture and project-history references describe the original design. Current amenity access, financial condition, building rules and individual property features must be verified from the latest association and listing records.
Homes for Sale
Currently available at Gainsborough
Explore available homes, photography and pricing from the live NWMLS feed.
Pinnacle GroupLuke Bartlett
Listing data is provided by Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) through IDX Broker. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and must be independently verified.
Rental & Leasing
Leasing at Gainsborough
- Rental cap
- Current HOA documents required
- Minimum lease
- Current HOA documents required
- Short-term rentals
- Current HOA documents required
More rental details
- Cap status / waitlist
- Current HOA documents required
- Subleasing
- Current HOA details required
- Lease / registration
- Current HOA details required
- Rental / move-in fees
- Current HOA details required
- Background checks
- Current HOA details required
- Source status
- Needs verification
- Last verified
- Current HOA documents not reviewed
Leasing rules and availability may change. Confirm current terms with the condominium association before purchasing or leasing.
What Buyers Should Know
Due-diligence checklist
- Resale certificate
- Reserve study
- Budget and financial statements
- Insurance
- Assessments
- Capital projects
- Litigation
- Rental rules
- Owner occupancy
- Financing / warrantability
- Parking and storage rights
- View / future development
- Building systems and age
What Sellers Should Know
Who you compete with
Sellers compete with current same-building inventory, similar stacks, floor height, views, parking, condition, amenities and nearby buildings.
Compare This Building
Other buildings in the directory
First Hill · 2023
Graystone
31 fl · 271 homes
First Hill · 2016
Luma
24 fl · 168 homes
First Hill · 2002
The Meridian
27 fl · ~158 homes
Photo: Gregory White / Seattle Home Photography. Courtesy of The Seattle Condo Group.
Work with Luke
Considering a condo at Gainsborough?
Association rental and leasing rules, rental caps, current cap availability, waitlists, minimum lease terms, fees and short-term-rental policies can change at any time. Information should be independently verified through the current resale certificate, declaration, rules and regulations, association management and applicable City of Seattle requirements before purchase or lease.