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Ariel View of Pritchard Island in south Seattle and of Lake Washington on a sunny day

The Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle

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The Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle

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Learn about our favorite secret neighborhood called Pritchard Island in South Seattle. Today we are excited to share an inside look at Pritchard Island, including its location, history, types of homes on the island, how much homes cost, and the new urban farm. 

What do you need to know about Pritchard Island in South Seattle? Pritchard Island is located about half a mile south of Seward Park and is along Lake Washington. This South Seattle neighborhood used to be an actual island, but in 1917 was connected to the Seattle mainland after the Lake Washington Ship Canal was opened. There are 2 sets of homes on Pritchard Island, including one set of homes on the lake side, and another set of homes on the park side. Pritchard Island homes on the lakeside have an average value of upwards of $1.8 million, and homes on the park side have an average value of just over $1 million. This South Seattle neighborhood is also home to Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, a city park. 

What You Need to Know About Pritchard Island in South Seattle

If you’d like to learn more about this neighborhood, you have come to the right place! In this blog post, I am answering the following questions: 

  1. Where Exactly Is Pritchard Island Located? 
  2. What Is The History of This South Seattle Neighborhood? 
  3. What Are the Types of Homes in Pritchard Island?
  4. How Much Does a Home Cost in Pritchard Island? 
  5. Did You Know That Pritchard Island is Home to an Urban Farm?

Check Out Rocky’s Video to Learn About the Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle 

In this video, Rocky with Team Diva at Coldwell Banker Bain, shows you the Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle. Many people have not heard of the Pritchard Island neighborhood in South Seattle. Rocky’s newest listing in this neighborhood gives us the perfect opportunity to share this community with you! 

As you know, Seattle is full of charming and distinct neighborhood districts. And within those neighborhoods, there are even smaller, often overlooked micro-neighborhoods like Pritchard Beach. For some of us who spent our youth in South Seattle, we all know about this “island.” But very few people outside of this area know anything about this stunning waterfront neighborhood. In this video, Rocky chats about where Pritchard Island is located and the history of the area. He will also share the type of homes you will find on the island and what it costs to buy a home here. And finally, Rocky tells us all about the new urban farm that is right here in his new listing’s backyard! 


The Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle

The birds nest of the Pritchard Island home in South Seattle

Pritchard Island is known by the surrounding neighborhoods for its exclusivity, epic Halloween trick-or-treating, and being a bit tucked away from the rest of the neighborhood. For years Rocky has spent time in this area with his family. Let’s explore this amazing neighborhood and discover more about this great location.

Where Exactly Is Pritchard Island Located? 

Ariel View of Pritchard Island in south Seattle and of Lake Washington on a sunny day

This Seattle micro-neighborhood is so small and exclusive that if you blink, you are sure to miss it. Now, I’ve already shared that this neighborhood is in South Seattle. But when you are looking for Pritchard Island you’ll find it about a half mile south of Seward Park and just east of the Rainier Beach and Dunlap neighborhoods, right off of Seward Park Avenue. The neighborhood is surrounded by Lake Washington on the north, east, and south sides of the area.

What Is The History of This South Seattle Neighborhood? 

Let’s take a short dive into history and find out why Pritchard Island isn’t actually an island anymore. Until the mid-1800s, this was an island inhabited by the indigenous Duwamish people. After American settlers arrived, it was platted and connected by a footbridge to the new housing development. In 1917, the Lake Washington Ship Canal was opened which lowered the water level on the lake, thereby connecting the island to the Seattle mainland. 

On that note: if you would like to learn about the Duwamish tribe and learn how you can make cash contributions to the Duwamish people, click here

What Are the Types of Homes in Pritchard Island?

First off there are two sets of homes in this South Seattle neighborhood. One set are the homes on the lake side that have docks, views of the lake, and more. And on the other side of the street, there are the park facing homes. These are still really beautiful but a bit more modest than their lake view neighbors.

The majority of the homes on the island were built in the early 20th century. But you will find homes here from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. And they all have their own unique features.

Pritchard Island is also dotted with updated mid-century homes that are common in many pats of southeast Seattle. The homes that were in poor condition have been fully renovated or completely torn down. You will find a few brand new construction homes in places that used to have more modest homes on the Island.

People have a tendency to buy a home here and never leave. Hence, many of the older homes have not changed much. But some, like the one I’m in right now, have had some pretty extensive remodels. This Pritchard Island home has added expansive decks and patios. Inside it has had system upgrades, an expanded modern living area, and more substantially, an added second floor complete with two bedrooms and a primary suite. I adore the cupola at the top which not only adds character but it also has amazing views of Lake Washington!

How Much Does a Home Cost in Pritchard Island? 

This is one of those neighborhoods where the price of a home will really depend on which side of the street the home is located on. The main street, Island Drive, splits Pritchard Island into two halves. The difference here is that the east side of the homes are waterfront with boat docks and direct lake views. 

Lake Side of Island Drive Home Values

View of the Lake Side of Pritchard Island and Lake Washington

Homes on the east/lake side of Island Drive have an average value of upwards of $1.8 million dollars. 

Park Side of Island Drive Home Values

Ariel view of the park side of Island Drive in Pritchard Island

Homes on the west/park side of Island Drive are not directly on the waterfront, tend to be a bit smaller, and may or may not have views. They have an average value of just over $1 million dollars. 

What is the Price of the Home that Rocky Just Listed?

The home that Rocky just listed is priced at $1,125,000! It is an awesome price for a home in such an amazing location.

Did You Know That This South Seattle Neighborhood is Home to an Urban Farm?

Drone View of Pritchard Island's Urban Farm
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Pritchard Island is home to the Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands city park in partnership with Tilth Alliance. The farm is dedicated to organic food production, environmental education, and wetland restoration. You can shop at their farm stand on Thursdays during the summer for agricultural products grown here and with local producers. Additionally, take some time to enjoy a relaxing walk on the many walking trails connecting to Be’er Sheva Park and to Pritchard Beach. 

More Information About Southeast Seattle Where Pritchard Island is Located

If you’re curious to learn more about this general area of Seattle, check out Kim’s incredible video tour of Southeast Seattle. Click here to check it out: “Seattle Neighborhood Guide: Southeast Seattle”.


Thank You for Learning About the Secret Enclave of Pritchard Island in South Seattle

What do you need to know about Pritchard Island in South Seattle? Pritchard Island is a small neighborhood. It Is about half a mile south of Seward Park. And is located right along Lake Washington. This community used to be an actual island. In 1917 Pritchard Island was connected to the Seattle mainland after the Lake Washington Ship Canal was opened.

Pritchard Island neighborhood in South Seattle features 2 sets of homes: One set of homes is on the lake side, and another set of homes is on the park side. Homes on the lake side have an average value of upwards of $1.8 million, and homes on the park side have an average value of just over $1 million. And this neighborhood is also home to Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, a city park. 

What You Need to Know About Pritchard Island in South Seattle

If you are curious about Pritchard Island and would like to learn more, I am sharing an inside look at this South Seattle neighborhood. Hopefully, in this blog post, we were able to answer the following questions about Pritchard Island.

  1. Where Exactly Is Pritchard Island in South Seattle Located? 
  2. What Is The History of This South Seattle Neighborhood?? 
  3. What Are the Types of Homes in Pritchard Island?
  4. How Much Does a Home Cost on Pritchard Island? 
  5. Did You Know That Pritchard Island is Home to an Urban Farm?

More Details About the Home in the Video 

  • MLS:  2159054
  • Address: 8615 Island Dr. S., Seattle, WA 98118
  • Neighborhood: Pritchard Island
  • Price: $1,125,000
  • More Information >

Want to see this home in all of its glory? 

See It In Person – Call/Text The Diva Desk Phone 206-271-0264.

We are here to help. Our team understands that this process can take a year or two. Give us a call. And our team is more than willing to give you a personalized plan to get the ball rolling. Feel free to contact us directly at thediva@teamedivarealestate.com or call/text 206-271-0264.

Alyssa Christensen

Alyssa Christensen

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