Central District: Seattle Neighborhood Guide

The revival of the residential and commercial buildings throughout the Central District is breathing new life into this historic Seattle neighborhood. Many of the homes in this neighborhood came into existence in the early 1900s. In recent years, the homes have reached a state of disrepair that necessitated condemnation of the buildings facing the worst neglect. Luckily, residents were inspired to take back their neighborhood by starting the renovations these buildings sorely need. New apartment, condominium and townhouse installations help speed up the facelift process and restore the community structure. Homebuyers are turning their attention to this neighborhood before the property values start to increase in response. A steady increase in property values, and regional popularity levels, will help attract better jobs, schools and other amenities to the neighborhood, resulting in further improvements across the board. Throughout the recovery, the community has developed many attractive amenities, including indoor fitness centers and delicious restaurants. Shared events and artistic displays help bolster the community presence throughout the process of turning this neighborhood around.

Historical Homes in Central District

The Central District offers the widest range of historic home styles in this region. Many of the original pioneer style homes still stand on their tightly packed tracts of land. With just a quick walk through this neighborhood, you will also see classic bungalows and Victorian homes in their full glory. You can even visit half a dozen homes that were constructed prior to 1900. The commercial and cultural buildings, including many early churches, were also built in the early 20th century. These structures richen the area and help reinforce the community connections. During walks through the neighborhood, you may come across long time residents ready to share stories passed down through their families. In an effort to protect the heritage of this area, these antique homesteads are protected by the local historical society. Every renovation or repair must replicate the original construction and materials to preserve the look and feel of that particular building. If you want to make repairs on historical dwellings, you must always submit an improvement plan to secure a permit.

Fitness Centers in Central District

The community enjoys spending their time watching and participating in sports and other fitness activities. In order to meet the needs of residents striving to maintain a fit physique, this neighborhood features tons of indoor fitness centers. The gyms in Seattle often feature specialized themes ranging from boxing to martial arts. You can pay as you go or obtain a yearly membership to use the gym facilities and participate in training sessions. The most popular gyms in this area are Mode of Fitness and Cappy's Boxing Gym. These gyms offer sparring lessons, weightlifting training and cardio workouts whenever you want to drop by for a session. Gym owners keep their facilities clean, well maintained and friendly to keep regulars and new clients happy with their workout environment. For total body toning, you can attend sessions at one of the yoga and Pilates studios in the area. Live Love Flow and Mountain Flow hold group workout routines that keep your mind and body aligned. At Mountain Flow, you can even participate in the routines during sunup or sundown while on the rooftop deck of the yoga studio.

Delicious Restaurants in Central District

As the melting pot of Seattle, the Central District offers nearly all of the cuisine options found throughout the world. You can find Thai, Ethiopian, Mexican, Chinese, Italian and American restaurants with just a single walk down East Union Street. This fitness minded community also supports the presence of full vegetarian and eco-conscious eateries. While living in this area, you must sample dishes from each of the local restaurants to find your favorite meals. The homemade dishes often contain fresh, local ingredients sourced from the nearby farmer's market. At many of the restaurants, each meal is made using techniques passed down through the generations. The local restaurants offer calm, inviting atmosphere fit for enjoying a meal alone or with close friends. You may notice the restaurants use high quality decor, soft lighting and relaxing music to set the mood for each meal. The quiet ambiance and delicious food can definitely help you unwind after a busy workweek.

Community Events in Central District

The community events held throughout the Central District often center around music, performance arts and sports themes. The historic Washington Hall building has acted as the main neighborhood venue for live performances since the early 1900s. The halls echo with the tunes of music greats, such as Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix and Billie Holiday. Modern artists, including the beloved Seattleite, Macklemore, hold performances here on a regular basis. You can catch live theatrical performances from local and touring groups at the amphitheater in Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park. Theater groups may also occasionally stop by Judkins Park and Playfield for impromptu, one-time performances. If you prefer a polished performance on your own time, you are always welcome to come by the Central Cinema to watch a movie. You can watch the classics while enjoying a meal and drink with your neighbors, friends or family. Residents look forward to the summertime community festival held one day a year on East Cherry Street. This event features plenty of live music acts and delicious food from local vendors. Kids may enjoy the clowns, balloon animals and face painting at this fun festival.

Central District Artistic Displays

The Central District is teeming with artistic talent that often leaves revelers in awe. Artists put their works on display several times a year for public consumption. You can attend the regular art walks and charity events to take in the amazing displays created by the local community. At the art walk, many local businesses display the artists work while showcasing their wares or food offerings. Charity events may give you a chance to meet and speak with your favorite local artists. You can glean information from these individuals in an effort to further improve your own artistic techniques or materials. You can even view the talent of your local community by viewing the street artwork on the sides of local businesses or roadway dividers.