LAURELHURST
The Neighborhood
Laurelhurst is a residential neighborhood just east of the University of Washington. Located on a peninsula sticking into Lake Washington, it has been a part of the city since 1910, maintaining a reputation as a well-to-do neighborhood chosen by those wealthy people who want to remain connected to the rest of the city. To the south of Laurelhurst is Union Bay, a calm bit of water, whose other side is part of the University of Washington Campus. To the south of Laurelhurst is more of Lake Washington, crossed by the State Route 520 floating bridge.
To the east of Laurelhurst is more of the lake, while the northern border touches the Hawthorne Hills, Ravenna, Windermere and Sandpoint neighborhoods.
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE
Just outside of the neighborhood resides Seattle’s only outdoor lifestyle shopping center with a distinct collection of retailers and eateries.
While not an especially large neighborhood, Laurelhurst still houses a great number of amenities, including:
LAURELHURST BEACH CLUB
LAURELHURST PARK & COMMUNITY CENTER
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE
Private waterfront club with membership open to the neighborhood residents only.
Open to the public.
An excellent facility with a national reputation for great work, operated as part of the nearby University of Washington Medical Center.
Just outside of the neighborhood resides Seattle’s only outdoor lifestyle shopping center with a distinct collection of retailers and eateries.
The proximity to the University of Washington is a big draw for people to live in Laurelhurst, as many of the residents are affiliated with the UW in some way. It is also a convenient place to live for those who commute via State Route 520 to the east side of the lake, to companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo, both of which are located in Redmond. In fact, two of Laurelhurst’s most prominent citizens at a time were Bill Gates, of Microsoft fame and the former President of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aimé. Cartoonist Gary Larson (The Far Side) and Duff McKagan, bassist for Guns n’ Roses have also resided in Laurelhurst.