Hilltop / Downtown

Tacoma’s downtown is a vibrant place to work, catch a show, spend the day, or live the urban lifestyle in a downtown loft. Thea Foss waterway connects downtown to the adjacent Commencement Bay and one of the busiest deep water container ports in the U.S. Downtown affords a clear view over the Puyallup River basin to Mount Rainier. Well known landmarks include 19^th century treasures such as the Old City Hall Building and Union Station, as well as more modern structures like the distinctive cone of Tacoma’s Museum of Glass, LeMay-America’s Car Museum with a shape somewhat resembling an automotive hood scoop, the clean lines of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, or the dramatic and interesting SR 509 cable-stayed bridge which bridges the Thea Foss . From Old City Hall you can jump on a light rail train and catch a ride through downtown, past the University of Washington Tacoma to the Tacoma Dome and train station passing a host of great restaurants and retail along the way, as well as the Tacoma Art Museum, The Washington State History Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Downtown also boasts a theater district where you can see (or even take part in) plays, musicals, concerts and a variety of other performances. All of the Hume kids have enjoyed acting through Broadway Center for the Performing Arts (now Tacoma Arts Live).

A handful of downtown Tacoma’s older buildings were converted into urban lofts and condominiums and devopers have added newly constructed condos. Prices range from about $250,000 to nearly a million. Many offer views of city lights and architecture, Puget Sound and Mt Rainier.

Hilltop is directly west of downtown Tacoma. Its close proximity to downtown, its early century homes and views are a recipe for desirable real estate. Predominant architectural styles in Hilltop would be Craftsman and Victorian. The main branch of the Tacoma Public Library is at the eastern edge of Hilltop.