Big Changes Coming for Uptown

Seattle’s Uptown neighborhood has typically been known for the entertainment arts culture, home to the Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and attractions including the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center and the Chihuly Garden and Glass.  Uptown, or more commonly known to Seattleites as lower Queen Anne, will be undergoing some major new developments over the next few years.  In addition to the renovation of Key Arena, there are about 10 new multi-family housing projects in the works. 

Conveniently located close to downtown, I5, and highway 99, Uptown is the ideal place for residents, and lately, families.  With the hiring spree of major tech companies and Expedia moving to Seattle, Uptown is growing quickly.  New apartment buildings and other new construction projects are already being proposed, which does not include the multi-family projects mentioned earlier. Latest design guidelines are now allowing commercial buildings up to 85 feet, allowing for mixed-use buildings. 

Uptown has always been poised to be the next “it” neighborhood.  It is in close proximity to mass transit and freeways as well as South Lake Union and InterBay, which are homes to the large tech companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and now Expedia.  Uptown is also filled with great local shops, numerous restaurants, and grocery stores.  You can even walk to the Space Needle, Seattle Center, and Key Arena. 

The city of Seattle has been working with the community to plan and develop Uptown since 2014.  Neighborhood design guidelines were adopted in March 2019.  As Seattle grows, so will many neighborhoods close to Downtown and outlining cities.