Downtown & the Urban Core
First Hill
Historic architecture, major medical institutions, and central city access.
Housing
Condominiums + Historic Apartments
Setting
Urban Residential
Access
Walkable + Streetcar
Known For
Medical Institutions + Central Location
The Neighborhood
First Hill
First Hill sits directly east of Downtown Seattle and south of Capitol Hill, combining major medical institutions with historic apartment buildings, condominium towers, churches, and tree-lined residential streets. It is one of Seattle's oldest urban residential districts and remains unusually central to nearly every major downtown destination.
The neighborhood's character varies block by block. Some streets feel institutional because of the concentration of hospitals and medical offices, while others contain some of Seattle's most elegant early apartment buildings and churches. For buyers, this means the specific building and street matter enormously.
Points of Interest
- Virginia Mason
- Swedish First Hill
- St. James Cathedral
- Frye Art Museum
- First Hill Streetcar
Real Estate
Real Estate in First Hill
First Hill's ownership market includes older condominium conversions, established mid-rise buildings, and a smaller number of newer towers. Compared with Belltown or Denny Triangle, buyers can sometimes find more square footage for the money, particularly in older buildings.
Older First Hill buildings require careful review of seismic work, plumbing, elevators, building envelope, and reserves. Many buildings have completed substantial capital projects over time, but the quality and timing of those improvements vary considerably.
Market Reports cover cities, counties and ZIP codes rather than individual neighborhoods, so choose the area that fits your search. View Market Reports
Housing Types
- Condominiums
- Historic apartment conversions
- Mid-rise buildings
- Newer towers
Condo Due Diligence
- Seismic upgrades
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Reserve funding
- Elevator modernization
- Building envelope
- Parking
Ask Luke About First Hill
Luke brings specific market knowledge to every neighborhood he works in. A conversation before you start searching can save significant time.
On the Market
What is available in First Hill today
Active listings only, straight from the NWMLS feed. Ask me about any of them, or about the ones that have not hit the market yet.
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.
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.
Market Intelligence
What Drives Value in First Hill
- Centrality to Downtown and Capitol Hill supports long-term demand
- Historic architecture and larger floor plans differentiate older buildings
- Medical employment creates a stable buyer and renter base
- Parking has meaningful value because many older buildings have limited supply
- Renovation quality matters significantly in older condominium stock
What Buyers Should Know
- Older buildings can offer larger homes but require more intensive due diligence
- Review seismic, plumbing, elevator, envelope, and reserve history carefully
- Street character varies substantially block by block
- Parking availability should be confirmed early
What Sellers Should Know
- Larger floor plans and historic character should be emphasized against newer smaller units
- Medical and Downtown access are strong lifestyle differentiators
- Documented capital improvements can materially strengthen buyer confidence
- Presentation should account for older-building concerns proactively
Buildings
Condominium Buildings in First Hill
- The Decatur1950
- Elektra1957
- First Hill Plaza1982
- Graystone2023
- Luma2016
- The Meridian~2002
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