Harrison / Denny Blaine

There are a lot of neighborhoods that line Lake Washington but the Harrison | Denny Blaine area of Seattle is probably the one considered the most affluent. This high-end area of Seattle boost some of the loveliest homes in the Seattle area and is a sought after place to live if you can afford the hefty housing market price tags.

The area is also where a memorial to the late Kurt Cobain is located as this was the place where he died in 1994. Other than that sad part of history the area is pretty tranquil and doesn’t have a lot of that normal Seattle gridlock, just a quite area where kids ride bikes and the neighborhood is clean and mostly crime free.

A two acre park named after the area – Denny-Blaine Park is modest, but frequented park for the beach access where a great volley-ball pit & picnic area lives. It’s a great spot to have a summer BBQ.

The area has some nice restaurants, but not a lot that causes an increase of traffic to the area. All-in-all it’s a great place to raise a family but not for people looking to have nights on the town within walking distance of their homes.

Harrison is named for the Park situated to the Northwest. There are many older homes in this area with historic significance, including the residence of the President of the University of Washington, which is situated on a five-acre plot that overlooks Lake Washington—a nearly incomparable residential property in the state. Another notable feature in the neighborhood is Denny-Blaine Park, a quiet and clean clearing with stone walls that surrounds a beach overlooking the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The park can be reserved for weddings and other events, and it’s a haven for sunbathers, picnickers, and volleyball players when weather permits. I mention in passing, as not to take away from the full utility of the park, that it’s also the last place Kurt Cobain (the lead singer of Nirvana) was seen before he died in 1994. Also residing in this neighborhood is the Seattle Tennis Club, which is a private club that allows members (or their guests) only. The facilities include a parking lot with attendant, with indoor courts laid out for fast and easy access to the players. Also included is a pro shop, where you can be sure to get all of the gear you’ll need for the big match!

Kurt Cobain (http://bitly.com/hyo5PG) may have ended his life and career in this lakeside neighborhood, but the idea of harmony and joy live on. It seems that any community that snuggles up to Lake Washington is guaranteed a large boost in peaceful living (Until now the fish haven't been too bothersome). Harrison/Denny Blaine is a small-sized residential area that unfortunately has to carry the scars of a celebrity suicide. Geographically, it is hemmed in by Madison Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way on the west, Denny Way to the south, and East Lee Street to the north.

History

Developed just a few years into the 20th century by Elbert F. Blaine (http://bitly.com/gY2tiR) and Charles L. Denny, the neighborhood follows the contours of the land and is adorned with picturesque parks.

Demographics and Income

A very affluent area, with median household incomes nearly double the Seattle averages. Residents consist primarily of high wage singles, couples and families who have located here for either the close downtown proximity, scenic vistas, enjoyment of unique housing architecture, or for the simple passion of being in a cool Seattle neighborhood. The dominant forces are married couples (53%) and singles (30%). About one-third of married couples have children living at home. The median age (39 years old) is slightly higher than Seattle’s average of 37.

Culture

Simply put, people here are rich. Therefore, many activities and possessions will not be out of reach for neighbors. However, with wealth does come responsibility. During the week, streets can be quiet with so many hard at work to keep up their income. The lakeside parks, on warmer days, brings a host of people near and far for a variety of activities.

Real Estate

Renters may not feel welcome here, because almost 84% are homeowners. Not only this, but the median home size is around 3000 square feet! Ownership may sound glorious, but it has its drawbacks in this neighborhood. For example, the property taxes are over four times the city’s average. Also, since 2008, home values have dropped about $1.5 million!

Local Business Tour (Restaurants, Pubs, Coffee Houses, Shops and other Amenities)

The western edge, however, provides the sustenance and entertainment through multiple small businesses. Walking northeast from 27th Avenue to 29th Avenue covers most of the action. Creative venues abound beginning with The Harvest Vine (http://harvestvine.com) - A Basque kitchen where the food is art and wine is lavishly complimented by the taste. They even have a brunch menu. The Essential Baking Cafe (http://essentialbaking.com) - Where coffee is never served alone. Tired of the limited selection of bread and pastries at your local shop? You have found your match in this establishment. Put on your best shirt and tie and inhale the French aroma at Rover's (http://thechefinthehat.com/rovers) and Luc's (http://thechefinthehat.com/luc). These two places were opened by Thierry Rautureau (http://thechefinthehat.com/about) and exude all the quality you would expect in French cuisine and ambiance. Another French experience is Voila (http://voilabistrot.com), a bistrot specializing in dinners. If Escargot and heavy French cooking don't suit you, then you can flee to Cafe Flora (http://cafeflora.com)- a vegetarian kitchen that is kid friendly. Meals are served all day long and you can rest assured your non-meat cravings will be endlessly satisfied.

For your shopping enjoyment: Wheelfanatyk (http://wheelfanatyk.blogpsot.com) - A store and bicycle wheel building resource; Tricoter (http://tricoter.com) - A knitting collective; The Holiday Lighting Pros of Seattle (http://theholidaylightingpros.com) - Full-service holiday lighting and decorating company; Oh! Chocolate (http://ohchocolate.com) - Following the 40 year old traditional recipe of Carl and Gertie Krautheim; Missi Lu (http://missilu.com) - Casual flair and trendsetting fashion; Bill the Butcher (http://billthebutcher.com) - Selling only the highest quality, grass fed beef; and Veritables Decor (http://veritablesdecor.com) - A blending of East and West Coast urban style furniture.

Schools

Kids have the opportunity, in addition to public schooling, to attend The Bush School (http://bush.edu). Bush emphasizes and practices a creative approach, putting more learning decisions in the hands of the children. Other schools found in Denny are: The Music Factory (http://musicfactorynw.com) - Employs professional musicians from Seattle who can challenge the advanced or enlighten the beginner musician; The Valley School (http://thevalleyschool.org) - A child-centered learning environment providing easy interaction between grades; and Epiphany School (http://epiphanyschool.org) - Challenging every child to be a confident, curious and courageous learner.

Recreation

Moving on to outdoor and sporting options takes us back to the Eastern half. The largest area noticeable is Lakeview park (http://bitly.com/hTWkIK), spreading four and a half acres near Harrison and McGilvra Boulevard. A great place for a picnic, but can be messy during the rainy season (Which, of course, is most of the year in Seattle). To the south is Viretta Park (http://bit.ly/dY5xV5), where Cobain is memorialized. A place with steep terrain and brush. It does feature a small lookout for a peaceful stopover. The Arboretum (http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg) is a few minute walk to the north as well in the Montlake neighborhood (http://bitly.com/feQ10A). The Seattle Tennis Club (http://seattletennisclub.org), also to the north, is a charming facility with 19 courts.

Medical and Wellness Facilities

Most medical providers exist outside of the neighborhood, but along East Madison Street a few medical-oriented businesses exist: Sima Medical & Cosmetic Clinic (http://longeviteclinic.com) - Combining preventive health care with aesthetic services to form an individualized treatment plan; Three Treasures (http://threetreasures.net) - Treatments designed to promote awareness of healing originating from the body, mind and spirit; Madison Park Physical Therapy (http://bitly.com/h0qaqz) - Features four physical therapists in a spacious facility that includes a gym and private treatment rooms; and Glow Natural Health Center (http://glownaturalhealth.com) - Combining various modalities to achieve patient-centered and initiated health and healing.

Spiritual Centers and Churches

Three places to negotiate the deeper side of life: Madison Temple Church of God (http://madisontemple.org) - Pastor Edgar Gray leads this congregation with almost ninety years of history; Shambhala Meditation Center (http://seattle.shambhala.org) - Ongoing training in meditation, study and contemplative arts since 1975; and Epiphany Parish of Seattle (http://epiphanyseattle.org) - Founded in 1907 with attention to tradition, reason and personal experience of the Divine.

Transportation Access and Tips

A short commute to Capitol Hill and the University District (http://bitly.com/abtiNK) make the location factor easy to process for most families. One of the closer highways is 520, to the north. This is also an efficient manner for connecting up with Interstate 5. Getting to downtown Seattle is a snap by using Madison Street. Ideally, Denny Blaine is a gem when it comes to having a city neighborhood without the noise and congestion.

Summary

For those who value being a couple of steps away from the crowds, Harrison/Denny Blaine can and does deliver. The lakeside parks will always be a draw, even for non-residents. Close proximity to the Arboretum can give many visitors an additional pleasure besides the natural habitat: a leisurely drive to admire the housing architecture of this affluent and gorgeous neighborhood.