Seattle Condo Authority Network • Downtown
146-unit Downtown Seattle high-rise at 1521 2nd Ave, completed 2005. 39 stories on prime 2nd Avenue between Pike Place Market and Benaroya Hall.
Building Profile
| Building Name | 1521 Second Avenue |
| Address | 1521 2nd Ave |
| Year Built | 2005 |
| Total Units | 146 |
| Stories | 39 |
| Neighborhood | Downtown, Seattle, WA |
| HOA Fees | $550–$1,200/mo (est.) |
| Price Range | $450K–$1.6M+ |
| Rental Policy | Data to be verified |
| Building Type | High-Rise |
About This Building
1521 Second Avenue is a 200-unit condominium high-rise at 1521 2nd Ave in Downtown Seattle, completed in 2005. The building occupies a prime position on 2nd Avenue, one of Downtown's most established residential corridors, midway between Pike Place Market and Benaroya Hall.
The 2nd Avenue address delivers walkability scores among the highest in the city: residents are steps from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the retail and dining density of 3rd Avenue. Link Light Rail at Westlake Station is within walking distance, connecting the building to the broader Seattle metro.
As a mid-2000s construction, 1521 Second Avenue offers the balance of modern building systems with established HOA reserves accumulated over two decades of ownership. Units have typically been updated by successive buyers, creating a range of finish levels at varying price points.
Jeff Reynolds maintains detailed sales data at 1521 Second Avenue and can provide floor plan comparisons, HOA financials, and a buyer strategy tailored to this building. Contact Jeff for current availability and market context.
Buyer Analysis
1521 Second Avenue is a 146-unit Downtown high-rise with a central Second Avenue address and established HOA governance since 2005. Here is Jeff Reynolds's assessment of the building's strengths, cautions, and the questions buyers should resolve.
Steps from Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and Downtown's core office district. The address supports reliable resale demand from Seattle's professional buyer pool.
Enough transaction volume to generate solid comparable sales data. Appraisals are reliable and the buyer pool at resale is broad relative to smaller boutique buildings.
Nearly 20 years of HOA financial history means reserve fund performance, assessment history, and operating costs are fully documented. Buyers inherit a building with a verifiable track record.
1BR units starting in the $450K range represent one of Downtown Seattle's more accessible price points for this address quality and vintage.
2005 buildings are entering major maintenance cycles. Review the reserve study carefully for percent-funded status and any planned elevator, HVAC, or facade work in the next 5–10 years.
At 146 units, lender owner-occupancy and rental-cap thresholds deserve close review. Confirm FHA/conventional warrantability with Jeff before writing an offer if you plan to use specific loan products.
Request the most recent reserve study before writing an offer. What is the current percent-funded level and what capital projects are projected?
Does the HOA restrict rentals? If flexibility or investment use matters, confirm current cap utilization and any waitlist timeline.
Advisory
1521 Second Avenue suits buyers who want a well-established Downtown address without the carrying costs of a full-service luxury tower. These are the buyer profiles that consistently fit this building.
The Second Avenue location puts residents within walking distance of Seattle's primary office towers, law firms, and financial district institutions. Buyers whose workday is centered in Downtown Seattle find the location eliminates commuting friction while keeping them in the heart of the city.
200 units, a well-documented HOA, and 20 years of resale history make 1521 Second Avenue one of Downtown's lower-risk entry points into condo ownership. Buyers who want the security of an established building with a clear financial track record tend to find this building reassuring.
Buyers running a price-per-square-foot comparison against newer Downtown towers consistently find 1521 Second Avenue competitive. The 2005 vintage carries a discount vs. 2015+ construction while offering the same address quality and walkability.
The Downtown location and proven resale history make this a credible long-term hold. Buyers who plan to own for 7–10 or more years benefit from the address stability and the relatively deep comparable sales pool at resale.
Market Data
1521 Second Avenue trades across a broad range driven by unit size, floor level, and finish condition. Pricing reflects its established Downtown address and 2005 vintage.
Entry-level Downtown residences. Condition and finish level drive meaningful spread within this range—renovated units toward the upper end, original finishes at the lower.
The most active resale segment. Higher floors with city or water views command premiums over equivalent lower-floor units with limited outlooks.
The upper end of the building's range. Larger floor plans and upper-floor orientations with strong view corridors.
1521 Second Avenue benefits from its location in one of Seattle's most actively transacted condo corridors. Comparable sales data is reliable and appraisals are well-supported. Prices shown are general market ranges; contact Jeff Reynolds for current listings and recent closed sale data.
Knowledge Base
Before buying any Seattle condo, these guides answer the questions every buyer should resolve about HOA finances, financing eligibility, and closing requirements.
What condo HOA fees cover, how they're calculated, and what to look for in a building's fee structure.
How reserve funds work, what percent-funded means, and why the reserve study matters before you buy.
How rental caps, owner-occupancy ratios, and HOA delinquency rates affect your loan eligibility.
What the resale certificate contains, why it matters, and the key red flags buyers should watch for.
Explore More
Other condos in Downtown Seattle at a similar price tier, with links to full building profiles, buyer analysis, and current market data.
See all buildings: Browse all Downtown Seattle condo buildings →
Frequently Asked Questions
1521 Second Avenue is located at 1521 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, in Downtown Seattle. The building sits on 2nd Avenue between Pike Street and Pine Street, steps from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and Benaroya Hall. Westlake Station (Link Light Rail) is within walking distance.
1521 Second Avenue has 146 residences across its 39 floors. The building was completed in 2005. Unit mix and floor plan details are available from Jeff Reynolds.
1521 Second Avenue was completed in 2005, placing it among Downtown Seattle's mid-2000s construction wave. The building has over 20 years of HOA reserve accumulation and an established ownership community. Units range from original condition to fully renovated, offering buyers multiple price points.
HOA fees at 1521 Second Avenue are estimated at $550–$1,200 per month depending on unit size. As a 2005 building, the HOA has an established fee structure and reserve history. Contact Jeff Reynolds for verified current figures and reserve fund status.
1521 Second Avenue has one of the highest walkability scores in Seattle. The 2nd Avenue address puts residents steps from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and dozens of restaurants and shops. Westlake Station provides light rail access to Capitol Hill, University District, and Sea-Tac Airport.
Your Downtown Condo Specialist
Jeff Reynolds is Seattle's leading specialist in urban condominiums, with deep expertise in 1521 Second Avenue and every building in the Seattle Condo Authority Network. If you're buying or selling at 1521 Second Avenue, Jeff has the data, the relationships, and the track record to represent you.
Jeff tracks every sale at 1521 Second Avenue, maintains HOA financial data, and knows which floor plans and view orientations hold value best. This depth of building-level knowledge is what separates a specialist from a generalist.
Jeff Reynolds • Seattle Condo Authority Network • jeff.reynolds@compass.com
Current listings, recent sales, HOA financials, and buyer strategy. No obligation.