Seattle: Capitol Hill, the women's revival

At the top of the hill that rises from Elliott Bay, the once residential area of Capitol Hill is undergoing a major revival. Among the handsome patrician houses lining Volunteer Park and the brick buildings of the main shopping street, East Pike Street, it's the Capitol Hill district that's really coming into its own. a metamorphosis. A symbol of wealth at the turn of the^e In the 19th century, this area adjoining the central business district was once home to prestigious car dealerships. Packard, for example, used to occupy a whole city block in a pretty building with a facade decorated like that of an old-time cinema. In 2015, this remarkable building was transformed into a 'Starbucks Reserve Roastery', a gigantic, gleaming showroom for the coffee brand that was born in Seattle in 1971.

All around, hip restaurantsIn the meantime, the area has seen the gradual emergence of a number of new buildings, including brightly-lit gyms and elegant concept stores such as the beautiful Glasswingshop, where designer clothes and extravagant plants are combined. It's a radical change, given that over the decades this initially prosperous district had lost some of its panache, despite the presence of Seattle Central College, a university founded in 1965.

In the 1990s, Capitol Hill was a mecca for grunge, the dirty rock of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, who took the Seattle music scene around the world. A time when the beautiful shopfronts displaying convertibles and saloon cars turned into less sublime garages and tyre shops. Liz Dunn, a former Microsoft engineer, is partly to thank for this. the renewal of this district since the 2010s. When she launched her property development company, Dunn & Hobbes, she set out to rehabilitate and rebuild dilapidated buildings to give them a new function by calling on bold investors.

One of his first rurbanisation projects was the attractive Melrose Market shopping centre, following on from the Starbuck Reserve. Then, in 2015, it was Chophouse Row, an almost-ruined cul-de-sac set back from East Pike Street. "It was just a dumping ground for old wrecks"says Jay Kuehner, the bartender at the Cloud Room, a wonderful coworking space located on the fourth and top floor of Chophouse Row. In this light-filled workplace, carefully furnished in pastel tones and enhanced by the warmth of vintage wood furniture, you'll come across a wide range of people, including the big bosses of the technology giants and self-employed workers looking for a calm, motivating atmosphere.

Happy networking

Most of the Cloud Room's 220 current members can spend the day there for a flat fee of 35 dollars. Or you can simply enjoy a drink after 4pm, when the lobby becomes an open bar. So it's hard to concentrate? Users say they have the option of secluding themselves in a corner, but most often prefer to continue their projects with a glass of wine or a cocktail concocted by Jay Kuehner, apparently a star in town.

It's a great way to meet potential partners and network. What's more, Chophouse Row is not just home to coworking spaces. There are also restaurants and bars such as Good Weather, where you can enjoy a beer and a chat. while waiting for his bike to be repairedjust behind the counter. There's also Marmite, a cosy French-inspired restaurant, and many other pleasant addresses.

Two blocks from this open-minded cul-de-sac is another workplace with a strong character, The Riveter. This coworking space, with its gentle decor and huge windows opening onto a garden, is also housed in a former engine and tyre warehouse. Opened two years ago, The Riveter has a distinctive feature: it was designed by and for women. "The idea is not to exclude men, who, on the contrary, are welcome, but to create a place designed for women. For example, we have set up a room so that women can breastfeed their children, and we regularly organise workshops on topics such as sexism and pay differentials."says the venue's spokeswoman. Of the 1,500 members of this coworking network, spread over three addresses in Seattle and two in Los Angeles, 25 % members are men. "The concept is working like a charm, and we plan to open eight more spaces across the country in 2019."she continues.

And as Capitol Hill has the wind in its sailsBusiness hotels dot the edge of the district. The Hyatt Olive 8, a 340-room design hotel, opened in 2009. Very recently, the same Hyatt group opened the Regency, with a capacity of a thousand rooms. Suffice it to say that Capitol Hill and its cool business spirit will continue to attract investors.