Queen Anne Seattle: Upscale Class, Downtown Sass

Ascending Growth: A Quick History of Eden Hill

Queen Anne Seattle has long been a favored neighborhood in the city. Situated directly against the bustling city center, the hill, formerly known as Eden Hill, was close enough to keep tabs on business but far enough away from the city known for its ‘Skid Row’ and houses of disrepute as to be suitable for the well-to-do families of early Seattle. The hill itself is quite steep, which means it was settled gradually. Land developers had to get crafty to get the less accessible areas of the hill settled, offering a two-for-one special that granted double the land for those willing to build immediately. Back then, it was quite a trek to ascend to the top of Eden.

The wealthy residents of early Eden favored the distinctive Queen Anne architecture for their estates and mansions, and so many of these homes were built that the name Queen Anne eventually overrode the initial moniker – Eden. It was also previously known as Galer Hill, North Seattle, and by the infamous David Denny (of Denny Party fame), Potlatch Meadows. Settlement of the area began in 1851, with the Denny Party arrival, but didn’t get going in earnest until after the 1875 hurricane that blew down thousands of trees on the hill, making it much easier to build. Subsequent access to assorted railway companies and cable car lines further improved the pace of development.

The Quadrants of the Hill

Queen Anne Seattle has four distinctive neighborhoods within the area, each with its own unique vibe and culture. Uniting these four areas are a few commonalities shared by each area. Folks in this neighborhood tend to be on the higher end of the wage scale, and most of them are child-free. Lower Queen Anne – Right up against Seattle Center, which some locals would claim as part of Lower Queen Anne, this area is spitting distance from all the thrills of downtown Seattle. Fast-paced, younger, and tons of great local chow joints and bars. East & West Queen Anne – Midway up the hill, and divided by a neat little business district, the west and east quadrants of the hill are primarily residential. Beautiful homes dominate this area. It’s still plenty close to the heart of Seattle, but a little more relaxed than Lower Queen Anne. North Queen Anne – Facing Fremont, the beloved art, music, Google, and hippy center of Seattle, North Queen Anne has a slower-paced, quieter vibe than other parts of the hill. It’s home to the Seattle Pacific University.

Queen Anne Seattle: What Can You Do?

The answer to that is basically everything. Queen Anne gives you access to the best of what Seattle has to offer, often within walking distance (if you don’t mind a good cardio push on the way back home). Whatever sort of leisure time shenanigans you want to get up to, you can get at it here. Check out the Rat City Rollergirls at the one-time home of former Seattle Supersonics, Key Arena. Enjoy the symphony, take your kids to the Children’s Theater, catch hundreds of fantastic artistic acts at Folk Life, listen to live music and chow down on great local eats at Bumbershoot. Want to slow down a pace? Test drive a board game at Blue Highway Games or relax over a perfect cup of coffee at Uptown Espresso.

The Benefit of Being the Tallest Hill? Breathtaking Views

The hill is the highest in the city, peaking out at 456 feet. That means that the residents whose homes are built on the relatively steep sides of the hill are entitled to one of the best perks in the city – incredible views of the Seattle city skyline, Elliot Bay, and Mount Rainier. If the neighbor’s house is a little too high for a personal view, locals can always kick back at Kerry Park at the apex of the hill for the best show.

Queen Anne Seattle: Who’s There?

The folks who live in Queen Anne are primarily wealthy single folks or married couples who’ve dodged child rearing. Up and coming professionals who want to key into the nightlife of the city love to rent space in Queen Anne. Homeowners are fairly well divided by middle-aged professionals with advanced degrees enjoying a comfortable life near the city and their younger, single counterparts who enjoy the luxury and proximity to the urban center. The average household size here is 1.8, lower than the city as a whole, and only 15% of the neighborhood are families with children.

Queen Anne Seattle Community Connection

Queen Anne neighbors like to keep in the loop. Their community newspaper, Queen Anne News, is published weekly and has been in print since 1919. Two local community blogs stay abreast of on-going news, events, and opportunities for residents – Queen Anne View and Queen Anne-PI. The local library, recently renovated, is a beautiful structure built in the Tudor Revival style in 1914. It sits on the National Register of Historic Places. West Queen Anne Playfield offers residents a community center, indoor swimming, baseball, and softball fields, while Queen Anne Bowl offers a dirt running track and soccer pitch. The largest park, Kinnear Park, is over 14 acres of lovely woodland and grass.

Notable Architecture in Queen Anne Seattle

Queen Anne is named after the trends in local architecture, and though few homes still bear the distinctive Queen Anne style, it should come as no surprise that the area still possess a few notable landmarks. 29 of Seattle’s official landmarks reside in Queen Anne, including a dozen homes. The North Queen Anne Drive Bridge showcases a unique parabolic steel arch that warranted its inclusion as a historic landmark. Moored at the base of the hill is one of the oldest wood-hulled tugboats still staying afloat, the Arthur Foss. Even the roads are historic in this neighborhood – with Queen Anne Boulevard still proudly showing off its original retaining walls featuring balustrades, streetlights, and decorative brickwork. The Queen Anne neighborhood has always been a jewel situated at the heart of the city. Beautiful homes with nearly immediate access to the bustling city center will continue to attract the best the city has to offer for years to come.