By Adrienne Kuehl

Downtown Sumner is a delightful area of Pierce County, with streets lined with quaint shops and a variety of restaurants, most within walking distance of each other. Known as the “Rhubarb Pie Capital”, the combination of friendly people and delectable treats make it a wonderful place to live or visit. “If I were to sum up Downtown Sumner in one word, it would be charm. From the antique stores and boutiques to the cafes and eateries, it’s hard not to fall in love with,” says Pierce County Real Estate Agent Janet Armitage. Dine at any of these local favorite restaurants and you’ll understand why.

Located adjacent to Windmill Gardens, a gardener’s paradise, Windmill Bistro is the perfect setting for a weekend lunch, brunch or dinner with friends. Set amongst gorgeous landscaped grounds, their sandwiches, salads, pastas, seafood and steaks make for a delicious place to dine.

Dairy Freeze

Known for its Italian cold cuts, antipasti and deli items, Sorci’s Italian Café and Enoteca will wow you with its authentic Italian products and great selection of wines.

Breakfast lovers flock to the Buttered Biscuit, where their down home cooking fills you up all day long. In the morning, enjoy cornbread, waffles, omelets and pancakes — and don’t forget the bloody marys with bacon.

Aversano’s Italian Restaurant is the place for pizza, pasta and traditional Italian food like your grandma used to make (if you had an Italian grandma). Get your fill of spaghetti, fettucine and lasagna and their deluxe salad bar.

Don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note. The Main St. Dairy Freeze is a favorite spot for locals to grab a burger and a shake. An old-fashioned hometown hangout, their soft serve ice cream is legendary, loved by both kids and adults.

The campus is located in the center of an urban residential community. Acres of historic buildings, gardens, and walking paths make it a popular destination for local dog walkers, joggers, and those looking for a latte pick me up and a moment of peace and quiet. The bells of Kilworth chapel keep time and remind the surrounding homeowners of their special connection to the University.

Most campus events are open to the public including concerts, sporting events, and special lecture series. Local residents are also welcome in the dining hall and can enjoy the campus swimming pool during public hours. Community members can even join the campus fitness center. “My kids have benefited from music lessons on campus,” says North Tacoma Real Estate Agent and UPS neighbor Kelli Jo Hjalseth. “They were taught by students and also had individualized tutoring.”

Check out this video of a University of Puget Sound Neighborhood Resident talking about what she loves about living near UPS!

To learn more about how to buy a home near the University of Puget Sound, contact Kelli Jo Hjalseth!

When you’re looking for lofts for sale in Downtown Tacoma, the historic Perkins Building is sure to show up on your list. The Perkins was designed by the architectural firm of Russell & Babcock and constructed in 1907 as a newspaper plant for the Tacoma Ledger and Daily News, founded by publisher Sam Perkins. At the time of its construction, the Perkins was the tallest reinforced concrete building in the Northwest and the first building on the West Coast to have a basement parking garage. In the early 1990′s, the Perkins served as a temporary home to UW Tacoma while its downtown campus was under construction.

The conversion of the Perkins into Lofts left many of the original features of the building intact including large windows and exposed brick. The building features a fitness center and a rooftop deck with spectacular 360 degree views, seating areas and barbecue equipment. Building dues include maintenance of these common areas. Pets are allowed, but certain breeds of dog are prohibited. Residents enjoy secure parking, and many of the units have deeded spaces.

“Our clients enjoy the building’s historic significance and character,” says Tacoma real estate agent Mark Pinto. “The building has a strong HOA and all of the convenience of living downtown.”

The building’s downtown location offers easy access to Tacoma City Grocer, the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, the Tacoma Art Museum, the light rail, UWT, and local bars and restaurants including Matador, Pacific Grill and Over the Moon Cafe.

Where Stevens Street ends in the North end, the road wraps all the way around to Point Defiance with stunning views!  The homes surrounding these areas are an eclectic bunch with everything from historical mansions to mid-century, from brick homes to craftsman bungalows.

Sarah and Brandon have lived in this area for the last 5 years.  ”We couldn’t have been happier having this as our first home,” says Sarah. “The charm of the original Craftsman touches was what first sparked our interest – we have found so much more to love about the home and area over the years.  The updated kitchen is fabulous and the morning sunlight from the East facing windows is perfect for sipping coffee with the morning paper!”

The neighborhood’s proximity to so many parks make it a favorite for walkers all over Tacoma. ”We have enjoyed our Sunday morning walks to the neighborhood coffee shop!” says Brandon.

Homes in the neighborhood tend to sell for prices above the median for Pierce County, but homes in the 200′s can still be found, including this Craftsman on Ferdinand. For more information on this home for sale in the Seminary District of Tacoma contact Regina Madiera- Gorden or visit the twilight open houses from 5-7pm on May 3rd 2013.

You can search for other homes and open houses in this neighborhood here.

Welcome to Tacoma!

By Kevin Mullin, Owner & Managing Broker of Windermere Professional Partners

Congratulations on the new digs in downtown! But we know what you are saying to yourselves now…”Tacoma?! Really?!” “ The place that smells and aren’t ALL the COPS reruns filmed there?” Admit it, something like that probably crossed your mind. Well hopefully by the end of this blog post your mind will be put at some ease. I am here to tell you…Tacoma doesn’t suck.

I am going to give you a few examples of the serious “cool factor” we have going on here, along with some areas you may want to consider for your individual lifestyle. This will at least give you some ideas as to where to look.

Downtown Tacoma has developed into a diverse and welcoming area. University of Washington Tacoma Campus takes up most of the south end of downtown, on the opposite end is Antique row, Opera Alley, and some great Pubs, Restaurants and Coffee houses. Great theater can be found at the Grand Cinema and Pantages, and the Annual First Night event is always a hit! If you love this you will love living at anyone of the Downtown Condo projects, offering Urban Living at its best.

The Waterfront and Old Town area is the place for waterfront dining, a long walk and unmatched 4th of July Festivities! This very pedestrian friendly area has some great homes providing wide open views of the Olympics and Commencement Bay, just a few minutes from Downtown makes it a convenient North Tacoma community with virtually no commute. Just up the hill is the Proctor area popular again for neighborhood restaurants and the best specialty food stores. This area also is just minutes from Downtown, and is focused more on the community than the view. The 2015 US Open will be held at our very own Chambers Bay golf course!

Surrounding Communities include, Gig Harbor, University Place, West Slope, Fircrest, Lakewood, Puyallup, DuPont, Edgewood, Fife and Milton. If you would like more information on any of these specific communities feel free to contact us directly at WindermerePC.com.

Tacoma has a lot of the great culture that is usually reserved for larger cities, but we have all that with TAM, Glass Museum, and the new Le May car museum. This is UNIQUE stuff! But for me, it’s the people. When I am at one of the Pubs ending the day with a cold one it is not uncommon to meet the person next to me and have a great conversation about whatever. Tacoma is a very welcoming community and from one Tacoman, I would like to welcome all of you to Tacoma! Hope to meet you at the next chair over!

The University of Puget Sound, which moved its campus to its current North End location back in 1924, provides its neighbors with access to a variety of academic and cultural activities. The Proctor District hosts a lively local farmer’s market, the second largest in the city, every Saturday from April through November. The neighborhood offers excellent public schools and easy access to Point Defiance Park, the waterfront and downtown Tacoma.

Local real estate agent Jeff Williams lives in an 1885 Victorian in Proctor that was included on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2012.  ”Proctor is very popular with people moving to Tacoma,” Williams says. “They love walking to everything – restaurants, bowling, Met market.  Houses in the neighborhood are selling like wildfire.”  Williams says “our last few listings have all been within walking distance of Proctor and all have sold for full price in just days.”

North Tacoma in general and Proctor in particular have seen inventories fall and demand increase.  If you’d like the latest info on Proctor Homes for Sale contact Jeff Williams.

Founded in 2010 by Dean Jackson, HUG is a community-based urban agriculture, justice and equity organization in Tacoma that works with the community to grow healthy food, young people and neighbors. “We see food as a basic human right. Everyone deserves access and the ability to produce and distribute fresh, affordable, healthy, clean, sustainable, safe, and culturally appropriate food. We call this FOOD JUSTICE.”

HUG’s mission is ambitious and admirable–in addition to working towards building alternative solutions to relying on large corporate agriculture, HUG works to develop systems for food sovereignty while creating racial and economic justice. HUG believes that growing food independence is an important part of the process of undermining causes of poverty.

HUG has a few garden spot under construction located at 19th and S. Ainsworth! The brand new donated 1,500 sq. ft of growing space features a solar energy and rainwater harvesting system, accessible raised beds, a composting toilet, a class site and community meeting space. Wow!

Would you like to help out? Do you have land you’d like to garden on or donate? Visit the website to learn more!

Since Steilacoom is small, there isn’t a huge volume of view homes to choose from at any given time, and the homes range from Historic Homes to New Construction. “Steilacoom has a casual, friendly, community atmosphere.” Says Lisa Breitinger, a longtime resident of Steilacoom. “This is a town where you see folks out walking at night.”

As the housing market continues to recover, view homes in Steilacoom are increasingly in demand.  If you are looking for a Steilacoom view home you might like 103 Montgomery Street.  Homes on this street have some of the most sweeping views of Puget Sound you can find. Check out the video below for a better glimpse of what kind of view Steilacoom homes have to offer:

March 2nd, Saturday, 7:30PM Shades of Blue @ The Pantages
Enjoy an evening of jazz, pop and classical music.

March 3rd, Sunday, 3PM Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra performs ‘Arabian Nights’ @ The Rialto Theater
Support the high school members of TYSA as they perform works by Mahler, Weber and Rimsky-Korsakov.

March 13-17, 10AM to 5PM Visiting Artist Patti Warashina @ Museum of Glass

Observe a demonstration by a celebrated ceramic and glass artist.

March 15 & 17th, Tacoma Opera performs ‘La Traviata’ @ The Pantages Theater
Appreciate Verdi’s classic tale of love and loss.

March 16th, Saturday, 12PM Symposium: The Art of Reconciliation and the Holocaust @ The Tacoma Art Museum
Listen to a half-day community symposium with local community partners, featuring presenters and panel members.

March 21st, Thursday: Free Third Thursday @ The Tacoma Art Museum
Every third Thursday of each month, TAM offers free admission and the extended hours of 5PM-8PM as well as special programming.

The Tacoma Art Museum & Museum of Glass offers free admission the third Thursday of every month. “I love that it offers the opportunity for everyone in the community to enjoy them along with access to the art galleries & local musicians”, says Tacoma Real Estate Agent Janet Armitage. ”I have a great time exposing clients & out of town visitors to everything Tacoma has to offer and listening to the positive feedback”

March 24th, Sunday: Last day of Memories & Meditations: A Retrospective of Michael Kenna’s Photography Exhibit @ Tacoma Art Museum
Running from October to March, this exhibit features a retrospective of internationally acclaimed photographer Michael Kenna.

March 24th, Sunday, 2:30PM Rich Ridenour on piano with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra @ The Pantages Theater
Enjoy an evening of piano favorites, including pieces from Elton John and Billy Joel to Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and more.

The month of March brings 9 new films to the Grand Cinema, too! Check out the Coming Soon List here!

If you would like to share any other events happening in Pierce County, we’d love to hear about it! Feel free to share in the comments what, when and where.

Plaza 4 in Tacoma’s Stadium District

If you’re searching for a condo in Tacoma’s historic stadium district, make sure to check out Plaza 4. This 12 story condo building  is within walking distance to Ruston waterfront, Stadium Thriftway, Gibson’ s. “Plaza 4 sits in the heart of the Stadium District,” says Tacoma Real Estate Agent Monica Scott. “Many of the units have views of Stadium High School, the Port of Tacoma, and both Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.”

Originally built in 1971, the units are open and spacious with lots of storage. There is secure parking in a common garage with plenty of street parking. The HOA units vary by unit square footage, and include  water, sewer, garbage, exterior window washing and cable.  Plaza 4 is easily accessible for those with disabilities, and also boasts an elegant secure lobby and fitness center.

The Penthouse of Plaza 4 recently came on the market. While the first 11 floors of the building have 2 units on each floor, the 12th floor penthouse takes up the entire 12th floor, coming in at 3,000 square feet. This penthouse offers views that span from the Olympics to the Cascades with the Puget Sound in between. To learn more about the penthouse condo for sale click here!