History

Union Army veteran, M. Harwood Young, is credited for the naming of Seattle’s Beacon Hill after the historic Beacon Hill in Boston. Young built a home at the north end of the hill overlooking Elliott Bay and named Massachusetts Street after his home state.

Coinciding with Young’s business ventures, the construction of a streetcar line that ran from the hill to South Snoqualmie Street made Beacon Hill’s real estate industry boom. Many Italian immigrants inhibited this area to harvest and sell produce to Seattle markets. The U.S. Health Service opened a U.S. Marine hospital on the north end of the hill in 1933. Today, the 16-story building still rests on Beacon Hill, but is now known as the Pacific Medical Center.

Description
Beacon Hill sits high above the city, bordered by First Hill and Rainier Valley.  Amazon’s former headquarters were located up on the hill, and the dot com boom caused the area to flourish.  Once a prime tech corridor, the area is now less of a hot spot.  The Pacific Medical Center building is perched at the top of Beacon Hill overlooking downtown Seattle and Puget Sound, which now holds medical clinics. The area also houses New Holly, a mixed-income community development created by the Seattle Housing Authority, which was recently renovated.

Types of Housing

There is a mix of rental houses and small apartment complexes, with duplexes and multiplexes making up the majority of apartment buildings.

Residents

The Beacon Hill neighborhood boasts a diverse culture with strong community ties. Many young professionals live in this area due to its proximity to Downtown, and young professional families often start here.

Where the Rentals Are

The majority of the rentals are located on North Beacon Hill, which is close to the Beacon Hill. There is a mix of both apartment complexes and single family homes for rent in that area.