Every now and then, clients will ask if I can find a condo in the heart of Belltown that is also quiet and safe. One would think that might be hard since you are after all picking an urban neighborhood; however, there are exceptions. Seattle Heights on 2nd Ave between Wall St and Cedar St has always been a client favorite.
This 26 story high rise condo was built in 1994. A few years ago, it had water intrusion problems and the building was wrapped up for more than a year. New siding and windows were replaced. Now, the building is looking as good as new. Unlike the typical high rise condo in Belltown, Seattle heights has a fairly unique architectural shape.
Before repair After repair
It also has very diverse floor plans ranging from studios to 3 bedroom’s including a number of rare two story condo units found on the 5th level. Its location is ideal for home buyers who don’t want to deal with the urban weekend noise yet still want a location near the center of all the action.
Pros
– Open layout and oversized windows
– Great amenities (one of the few in Belltown with a pool)
– Diverse views of the City, Puget Sound, Queen Anne neighborhood and Lake Union.
Cons
– Homeowner dues are higher than other condos built around the same time.
– Interior finishes may feel slightly dated compared to more recent buildings.
Exterior: Good
Interior: Good
Location: Good
Value: Good
View: Very Good
Amenities: Good
Overall: Good
Final Thoughts:
One of the best overall combinations of value, quality, and location in Belltown. If you don’t need the latest in finishes and amenities, this is a building most people should at least strongly consider.
Technorati Tags: Seattle Heights, Seattle condos, Belltown condos
Seattle Heights is a nice building. I rented an apartment there for a year and liked it so much I ended up buying a two-bedroom on the floor above.
Agree SH is underrated. A v nice building but the dues are pretty high.
Seattle Heights was a nice building until the Association began finding ways to create or change rules for issues that either impact or benefit a few people, not the majority. A woman was feeding a child in the lobby so they passed a rule that there is no food or drink allowed in lobby. They just changed the existing rules that radically changes pet ownership without notifying owners. This change has impacted many owners who are currently panicked about making the decision to move or get rid of their pets.
Seattle Heights is a great building. I’ve lived here since 2004 and never heard of changes mentioned by TS. The only change to the pet rule which was really more a reinforcement of an old rule was that pets had to be taken out of the building through the back door and carried through the lobby to prevent pet accidents.
I am an original owner and they have always had the “no eating or drinking” in common areas….the same goes for the pet issue..the rules were always there just not really enforced. It is a great building!!
I lived at Seattle Heights for two years. The HOD’s and yearly percentage raise on them were outrageous (one year including a 10 percent raise).To be fair, they did need to be adjust for inflation but not to raise them for board discretionary expenses. i.e.(Tacky artwork, money to buy a resident guest unit, etc). The HVAC system is having problems as well; you could easily have a 10 to 15 degree temperature swing between floors. The board is aware of this and some other severe building problems so if you are looking to buy get ready for a large assessment within the next few years for repairs. Positive things, residents for the most part are nice; the 24 hour concierge service is great, and location. Speaking from experience, go buy somewhere else and pay the premium; you probably can get a better location, newer building, and lower HODs with less headaches.
I’ve lived in the building since 1998, so I survived the great renovation. That was a pain, but the results are worth it. With the new doors and windows, my electric bill (which includes heating and cooling) runs about $10-$15 a month for a 2-bedroom-2-bath unit. The fees may seem high, but cover a variety of amenites such as 24-hour concierge, swimming pool, water-sewer-garbage and more. The board is outstanding–the president is an architect with a great deal of experience with high-rise condos. In sum, it’s a great and established building where you don’t have to worry about future scaffolding and renovations.