South Lake Union

South Lake Union – Seattle Neighborhood Guide

Once home to blue-collar workers and a major industrial center of the city, South Lake Union has recently begun its transition into hip urban neighborhood.

History

In its early days, this region was where timber and coal arrived by barge from across the shores of Lake Washington and was further transported to Elliot Bay, where it went on to California and other places along the west coast. In other words, South Lake Union was instrumental in the growth of the city. Sadly, after most of the trees had been cleared, business declined and the neighborhood went through a depression. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and his Vulcan Real Estate have rapidly changed the deserted warehouse district into a thriving hi-tech hub.  The addition of a trolley system, a new park along the shore of Lake Union, and retail/apartment buildings have, in recent years, given South Lake Union the feeling of a neighborhood again.

Vibe

It seems that people can’t get enough of South Lake Union these days. Everyone wants to either live here, work here, or come visit. New businesses are opening daily, transportation options are improving, and hip restaurants seem to open almost weekly. Perusing the neighborhood’s website gives a glimpse into what life is like here on a daily basis—tons of events, buzzing press releases about the new amenities, and a great interactive map that shows all of your options for exploring.

The neighborhood is quickly being dominated by local technology companies. Amazon.com’s new headquarters is in the neighborhood, and you’re sure to see thousands of Amazonians roaming the streets at lunch time. Other stalwarts like Microsoft and UW Medicine also have a large presence in the neighborhood, along with plenty of up-and-coming tech startups. (The authors of this site hail from South Lake Union.)

Who Lives Here?

This neighborhood is perfect for young professionals who work downtown or in one of the many companies that have set up office space in South Lake Union itself. There really aren’t any houses, but the spanking new apartment and condo buildings are luxurious and have some great views. The other plus is that it’s not so densely populated yet as to be noisy and congested, so residents can get where they need to go, but still have some peace and quiet when they’re home.

Activities and Attractions

To learn about the history of Lake Union and the surrounding neighborhood, hit up the new Lake Union Park (finished in 2010). Here, you can visit the Center for Wooden Boats, learn how to sail or paddle a dragon boat, or take a class on carving you own wooden boat. Or, just frolic on the grassy knoll for the afternoon.

South Lake Union Park

As far as the other options for dining, shopping, and exploring, it’s really hard to know where to start. One of the best places to start would be along Westlake Avenue. Try the Dahlia Workshop for an amazing breakfast sandwich, or the Row House Café, which is built into a historic house. Once fortified, think about renting a scooter from Scoot About—there’s no better way to explore the neighborhood than on a cute little Vespa!

Homes in South Lake Union

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