Seattle Condo Authority Network • Belltown

Florentine

62-unit mid-rise in Belltown, Seattle. Built 2002. Over 20 years of HOA history in one of Seattle's most walkable urban neighborhoods, between downtown and Seattle Center.

62Total Units
2002Year Built
20+Years HOA History
BelltownNeighborhood

Building Facts

Florentine at a Glance

Building NameFlorentine
NeighborhoodBelltown, Seattle, WA
Year Built2002
Total Units62
Building TypeMid-Rise Condominium
Unit MixStudios, 1BR, 2BR
HOA Fees$400–$800/mo (estimated by unit size)
Price Range$350K–$950K+ (market dependent)
HOA History20+ years established
Wikipedia CitationYes (via Urban Condo Spaces)
FinancingVerify conventional loan eligibility

Building Overview

About Florentine

Florentine is a 62-unit condominium mid-rise in Belltown, Seattle, completed in 2002. The building represents Belltown's early-2000s residential development period -- smaller in scale than the luxury towers that followed later in the decade, but established in the neighborhood's core with direct access to Belltown's amenity base.

With over 20 years of HOA operating history, Florentine has an extensive record of financials, reserve fund activity, and ownership patterns. This depth of history is a meaningful advantage for buyers who want predictability in HOA costs and access to detailed documentation on building financial performance.

The building's 62-unit scale provides sufficient HOA budget to maintain reserves and capital projects while maintaining a community character that larger towers often lack. Units vary in finish level and condition depending on renovation decisions by successive owners across two decades of ownership cycles.

Jeff Reynolds of Urban Condo Spaces tracks Florentine within the Seattle Condo Authority network and can provide verified HOA data, reserve study analysis, and a full Belltown market comparison on request.

Urban Condo Spaces -- the platform founded by Jeff Reynolds -- has been cited as a reference source for Florentine on Wikipedia, reflecting the platform's recognition as an authoritative data source for Seattle condo buildings.

Building History

Florentine: Background & Context

Development Context: Belltown in the Early 2000s

Florentine was completed in 2002, during a sustained period of residential condominium development in Belltown. The early 2000s marked a significant transition for the neighborhood -- from a light industrial and arts district to an increasingly dense urban residential core. Developers recognized Belltown's walkability, proximity to downtown employment, and waterfront access as strong drivers for urban residential demand.

The 62-unit scale of Florentine reflected the development economics of that period. Mid-rise projects could be financed and constructed more efficiently than tower developments, and Belltown had strong absorption for residential units in the $300K to $600K range during the early 2000s cycle. Florentine entered the market as part of a cohort of Belltown residential buildings that collectively established the neighborhood's condominium ownership community.

Building Characteristics

Florentine's architecture reflects the mid-rise residential typology common to early-2000s Belltown construction -- concrete and steel frame, with individual unit layouts designed to maximize floor plate efficiency in a dense urban context. Units include a range of exposures depending on floor and orientation; upper-floor units often capture partial views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, or the downtown skyline.

The building includes secured parking, controlled entry, and common areas. Interior unit finishes have evolved through successive ownership cycles, meaning the current condition of individual units varies considerably. Buyers should evaluate specific unit renovation quality as part of any purchase analysis.

HOA Structure and Reserve Fund History

As a 2002-vintage building, Florentine's homeowners association has operated for over 20 years. Washington State requires HOAs to conduct reserve studies and maintain a reserve fund for major capital expenditures -- roofs, elevators, mechanical systems, facade maintenance -- but does not mandate specific funding levels. The adequacy of Florentine's reserves, measured as a percent-funded ratio, is the most important financial variable for any prospective buyer.

Buildings of this vintage are approaching capital expenditure cycles for systems installed in 2002. Elevators, HVAC systems, roofing, and facade elements all have finite service lives. Jeff Reynolds recommends reviewing the most recent reserve study and percent-funded ratio before submitting an offer. Reserve studies in Washington State are typically updated every three to five years.

The resale certificate -- required for all Washington State condo transactions -- will disclose HOA dues, pending special assessments, litigation status, budget balances, and known capital projects. Jeff Reynolds reviews resale certificates for all buyer clients as a standard part of the purchase process at Florentine and every building in the Seattle Condo Authority network.

Belltown: Neighborhood Context

Florentine's Belltown location is one of its primary long-term assets. Belltown is bounded roughly by Pike Street to the south, Denny Way to the north, and the waterfront to the west. The neighborhood's density of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and cultural venues creates an urban living experience that appeals strongly to buyers who prioritize walkability and access to downtown amenities.

Florentine residents are within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, the Elliott Bay waterfront, and major downtown office buildings. Seattle Center -- home to the Space Needle, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and McCaw Hall -- is a short walk north. The neighborhood is served by multiple transit routes and is within the downtown core's dense transit corridor.

Belltown also contains some of Seattle's highest-density condo inventory, meaning buyers at Florentine have access to a deep comparable sales market and an established rental pool for investment buyers.

Buyer Analysis

Buyer Considerations: Florentine

Jeff Reynolds evaluates every Belltown building across six dimensions. Here is his assessment of Florentine's strengths, caution areas, and key questions for buyers.

✓ Strength: Location

Belltown's position between downtown and Seattle Center is among Seattle's most durable urban addresses. The neighborhood's walkability, restaurant density, and transit access hold value through market cycles.

✓ Strength: Established HOA

20+ years of HOA operating history means extensive financial documentation. Buyers can review actual reserve fund performance, not projections. A mature HOA with known history carries lower uncertainty than a newly formed one.

✓ Strength: Value Positioning

2002-vintage mid-rise buildings consistently price below newer Belltown inventory. Buyers who prioritize the neighborhood's location over new construction finishes typically find the best value-per-square-foot in this era of building.

✓ Strength: Comparable Sales Depth

62 units across 20+ ownership cycles means substantial comparable sales history. Pricing analysis, appraisals, and negotiation leverage are more reliable in buildings with this transaction depth.

△ Caution: Capital Expenditure Cycle

Buildings built in 2002 are entering major capital expenditure cycles for elevators, roofing, mechanical systems, and facade work. Review reserve fund percent-funded status and the most recent reserve study before committing.

△ Caution: Unit Condition Variation

20+ years of individual ownership means unit condition varies significantly. Some units have been renovated multiple times; others retain original 2002 finishes. Unit-level inspection and condition analysis is essential.

✉ Financing Eligibility

Confirm that Florentine qualifies for conventional financing before committing. FHA and conventional loan rules require buildings to meet owner-occupancy and delinquency thresholds. Verify current status with a lender early in the process.

✉ Rental Cap Policy

If investment use is part of your plan, verify the current rental cap. Buildings with restrictive caps limit your ability to rent the unit and may reduce your resale buyer pool. Know the cap before you write an offer.

✉ Special Assessments

Review the resale certificate for any pending or recently completed special assessments. Even well-funded buildings occasionally levy assessments for major capital projects. Know what is on the horizon before closing.

Advisory

Who This Building Is Best For

Florentine is a Belltown building where scale, vintage, and community character attract buyers who are choosing it deliberately—not as a fallback from a newer building, but as a specific type of urban home.

Belltown Lifestyle Buyers at a Value Price

Florentine's 2002 vintage delivers Belltown walkability—Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, the waterfront, Downtown employers—at price points below newer construction. The buyer who prioritizes the neighborhood's amenity density and walkability over new finishes consistently finds strong value in buildings like Florentine.

Long-Term Residents Who Value Community

62 units and 20+ years of HOA history has produced a resident community where neighbors know each other and the building's character is established. Buyers who find large anonymous towers isolating often identify buildings at this scale as genuinely different—and tend to stay considerably longer.

Buyers Who Understand Mature Building Trade-Offs

Not every buyer needs the newest building technology. Buyers who understand the maintenance profile of a 20+ year building—and who have reviewed the reserve fund health before committing—often find that Belltown's established vintage buildings offer better location-to-price ratios than any new development can match at equivalent price points.

Investors Who Can Work Within Rental Cap Constraints

If the rental cap allows it, Florentine's Belltown location, established HOA governance, and mid-range price point create a viable rental profile. Investors who are disciplined about verifying cap availability before purchase and patient about working within the HOA's framework can hold a Belltown asset with durable long-term rental demand.

Knowledge Base

Seattle Condo Buyer Guides

Before buying any Seattle condo, these guides answer the questions every buyer should resolve about HOA finances, financing eligibility, and closing requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Florentine: Your Questions Answered

Where is Florentine located? +

Florentine is located in Belltown, Seattle. Belltown sits between Downtown Seattle and Seattle Center, providing walkable access to Pike Place Market, the Elliott Bay waterfront, and the neighborhood's restaurant and bar corridor along 1st and 2nd Avenues. Multiple bus routes and short walks to major employment centers make Belltown one of Seattle's most transit-accessible neighborhoods.

How many units does Florentine have? +

Florentine has 62 residential units. The building was completed in 2002 and includes studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Contact Jeff Reynolds for current availability, floor plan details, and recent comparable sales analysis within the building.

What are HOA fees at Florentine? +

HOA fees at Florentine are estimated at $400 to $800 per month depending on unit size. Fees cover building maintenance, common area utilities, insurance, and contributions to the reserve fund. Jeff Reynolds recommends reviewing the current reserve study and percent-funded ratio as part of any purchase due diligence. Contact Jeff for verified current HOA fee data and reserve fund analysis.

What year was Florentine built and why does it matter? +

Florentine was completed in 2002. Vintage matters for condo buyers because it determines where a building sits in its capital expenditure cycle. Buildings built in 2002 are over 20 years old and approaching or entering major capital expenditure phases for elevators, roofing, mechanical systems, and facade components. A strong reserve fund and current reserve study are essential safeguards for buyers in buildings of this age.

How does Florentine compare to other Belltown buildings? +

Florentine occupies the mid-market tier of Belltown's condo inventory -- priced below luxury towers like Cristalla and 2200 Westlake, but offering the same core Belltown location. Its 2002 vintage means it predates Belltown's luxury tower cycle; buyers get neighborhood access at lower price points and HOA fees. Jeff Reynolds maintains Belltown building comparison data across all major price tiers and can provide a direct side-by-side analysis on request.

Is Florentine a good investment? +

Florentine's long-term investment case rests on Belltown's durable urban location. The neighborhood's density, walkability, and proximity to downtown employment consistently support demand. For investment buyers, verify the rental cap policy before purchasing -- buildings that restrict rentals limit income potential and may reduce your eventual resale buyer pool. Jeff Reynolds can provide investment analysis and rental performance data for Belltown condo buildings across all price tiers.

Your Belltown Condo Specialist

Jeff Reynolds

Jeff Reynolds is Seattle's leading specialist in urban condominiums, with 20+ years focused exclusively on the Seattle condo market. He is the founder of Urban Condo Spaces and the creator of the Seattle Condo Authority -- the most comprehensive building-level research platform for Seattle condos available online.

Jeff tracks every sale at Florentine, maintains HOA financial data across the Belltown market, and can tell you which floor plans and view orientations hold value best in this building. If you're evaluating Florentine or any other Belltown condo, Jeff has the depth to give you an honest assessment.

Jeff operates through Compass Real Estate and covers all Seattle urban condo neighborhoods.

Jeff Reynolds • Urban Condo Spaces • Seattle Condo Authority • jeff.reynolds@compass.com

Full specialist profile →

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