First Hill is the oldest settled neighborhood in Seattle, and its history shows in the architecture. In the 1880s it was the city's most exclusive address, home to mayors, judges, timber barons, and art collectors who built mansions along what was known as Millionaire's Row. The names are still familiar today: Frye, as in the Frye Art Museum, Carkeek, as in Carkeek Park, and Boeing. The hospitals came later, gradually replacing the grand homes until the neighborhood earned its enduring nickname Pill Hill. Today Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason, and Harborview all call First Hill home, which shapes the neighborhood's character and its residents in equal measure.

You will find a mix of older condo buildings with larger floorplans, midrise apartments, townhomes tucked into quieter residential streets, and some newer construction mixed in. Because many of the buildings are older, you will often find more square footage and better storage compared to newer developments, something that really stands out for buyers and renters alike. There is also a great pocket on the southeast corner of the neighborhood with a cluster of charming mid-century buildings that add a unique character you don't see everywhere in the city.

First Hill offers a more relaxed pace than its neighbors, tree-lined streets, buildings with real character, and a strong residential feel that is increasingly rare this close to downtown. The Seattle Streetcar runs through the neighborhood connecting you directly into Capitol Hill in one direction and down to the International District in the other. A fully separated bike lane along Broadway with its own dedicated signal system makes cycling one of the more practical ways to get around.

Town Hall Seattle is one of the most beloved cultural venues in the city and it is right here in First Hill. Housed in a stunning Roman Revival building, it hosts lectures, literary events, music, and community gatherings throughout the year. On his last book tour, MSNBC's Chris Hayes called it the most special venue in the country. For anyone who loves ideas, conversation, and culture, having Town Hall this close is a genuine privilege.

The Frye Art Museum is free and always worth a visit, one of the few remaining legacies of the neighborhood's Gilded Age origins. And the Hotel Sorrento, Seattle's oldest hotel, anchors the neighborhood with a history and atmosphere that is impossible to replicate.

Once people discover First Hill they often wonder why it isn't talked about more. It's one of those neighborhoods that rewards people who look a little closer.

These are buildings I know well and would feel comfortable recommending to a client, whether you're renting or buying.