Georgetown is a fascinating, ultra-hip neighborhood on the south end of Seattle, in the heart of the industrial district. It is this very fact that makes it what it is. Years ago, when Seattle’s downtown and Pioneer Square, populated by artists, musicians, and other creative types gave way to urban professionals and renovated lofts, what became of them? Simple, they simply moved on to cheaper pastures, and they didn’t have far to go, migrating just a few miles to the south to Georgetown, where they could still find large open studio and workshop space, alternative culture, and cheap rents.
Georgetown has an interesting history, first settled by Luther Collins in 1851, Outside Seattle city limits, Georgetown became a natural home for breweries, including the famous Ranier Brewery, founded in 1882. At one time, the large brick building was the sixth largest brewery in the world. Georgetown incorporated in 1904, largely as a defense over a growing prohibition movement sweeping the area. It was incorporated shortly after that in 1910.
But over the years, as a home to breweries, industry and rough and tumble saloons, Georgetown fell on rough times, with a deteriorating infrastructure, and encroaching industry. At one time the city planned on rezoning the whole area as industrial. But in recent years, the area has undergone an amazing revival, thanks to those displaced artists and other can-do renters and home owners. Georgetown still boasts some amazing old homes, owned by the brewery owners. And as it was well beyond the reach of the Seattle fire, some of these homes date back to the late 1800s,rare for Seattle. The neighborhood also has many simple but well built working family homes, many of which have been renewed, restored and revitalized, as has the small business district.
This business district boasts everything an urban pioneer could want. Trendy bars and restaurants, many featuring live music, such as 9 lb hammer, Jules Maes, (the oldest bar in the Seattle area, dating back to the 1800s), Smarty Pants, Mix Lounge (a lounge and art gallery) The Georgetown Liquor Company, which features a great vegetarian menu, Via Tribunali, and Stellar Pizza, (two of Seattle’s best pizza restaurants) Squid and Ink, and Calamity Janes. Many of these serve as restaurants in the day and hang-out bars at night. Both for local residents, and a growing number of outside people coming to take in one of Seattle’s last old-school urban areas. No urban neighborhood in Seattle would be complete without an independent coffee shop, All City Coffee fills the bill nicely. If you like your grub and coffee more traditional, try the Hangar Cafe, Randy’s Diner, or Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack. Or, for some great mexican food, visit Coliman, for authentic, cheap delicious food dished up by Elvira and family. For other diversions, visit one of the new boutique shops, antique shops, or Helle skin sanctuary and boutique. Also, don’t miss Fantagraphics comic book store. They not only feature many cool alternative comics, but they are largely responsible for the resurgence of comics and graphic novels in the last 20 years.
Georgetown is not a large neighborhood, and some of the homes sold never even reach the market, being sold between friends. But great homes, from fixers, to already renovated classics, to modern industrial style town homes, do come on the market regularly. And when they do, they are quite reasonable by Seattle standards.
Currently, there are 6 homes available, 4 under $350K. Well priced homes do not last long here, as evidenced by the 5 homes currently under contract. In the last 6 months, 5 homes have sold. Of these last two categories, 9 of the 10 were under $350K.
If you have not heard of this great neighborhood, or have heard old information as to it’s appeal, I encourage you to swing by for a visit, and check out the revitalized neighborhood and meet some of the friendly locals. Or, meet us for a tour of some of the available homes and see just how far your money can go in this close-in, vibrant neighborhood.
