Downtown Seattle:

Downtown Seattle is the central business district of Seattle, Washington. With steep hills to the north and east and Elliott Bay to the West, downtown Seattle is relatively compact compared to other city centers on the West Coast. Downtown Seattle is home to Seattle’s main financial district, Westlake Center, the new Seattle Central Library, the Seattle Art Museum, and  the landmark Pike Place Market. Downtown Seattle parks include: Westlake Park, Freeway Park, and Victor Steinbrueck Park and the Olympic Sculpture Park. The Smith Tower, in the older section of downtown near the waterfront, once held the title of tallest building west of the Mississippi. 

Downtown Seattle's population is growing, with a number of high and mid-rise condominium towers being constructed. In 1989, building heights in Downtown and adjoining Seattle suburbs were tightly restricted following a voter initiative. These restrictions were dramatically loosened in 2006, leading to the current increase in downtown's high-rise construction.