Inside Colonial Grand: The Businesses Defining First Avenue
Meet the Makers of Colonial Grand
Four remarkable businesses. One century-old building on First Avenue. This is what it looks like when great work shares a zip code.
A barbershop where the beer’s free with your cut. A Latinx art collective embroidering their heritage into jewelry. Specialty coffee downstairs. Tattoos that feel like fine art. Welcome to Colonial Grand, First Avenue’s most interesting block.
The Building Behind It All
Colonial Grand is a landmark 1890s brick building on First Avenue in downtown Seattle. Think soaring ceilings, exposed brick, arched windows, and ironwork that’s been here longer than most Seattle institutions. It’s been fully renovated for modern work, enterprise Wi-Fi, private suites, in-suite showers, 24/7 access, but the bones? Pure historic Seattle.
Steps from Pike Place Market, Elliott Bay, the waterfront, and Post Alley, Colonial Grand puts you at the center of one of Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods. It’s a place for people who appreciate thoughtful spaces, strong community, and doing their best work.
The Tenants Making It Uncommon
Nieu Studio
If you’ve ever wanted a tattoo that feels like wearable fine art, Nieu Studio is the place to go. Tucked into Suite 1113, this contemporary tattoo studio operates on a philosophy that sets it apart: tattoos aren’t just decoration, they’re a meaningful expression of self, brought to life in harmony with the natural world.
Founded by artist PingPing alongside a talented roster including Ash, Susu, and Wayne, Nieu has built a reputation for designs that are detailed, delicate, and deeply personal. The studio embraces a calming aesthetic, with natural elements woven throughout the décor to create an atmosphere that inspires focus, creativity, and connection.
From fine-line botanicals to intricate phoenixes and peonies, every piece reflects exceptional craftsmanship and thoughtful artistry. Whether you’re planning your first tattoo or adding to an existing collection, the artists work closely with clients to create designs that feel both timeless and uniquely personal.
Open daily noon to 6pm, with walk-ins welcome, Nieu Studio offers more than just tattoos, it provides an experience. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like the artwork you leave with was always meant to be part of your story.
Visit Nieu Studio →
CU Urban Market & Café
You know a building has its act together when there’s seriously good coffee inside. CU Urban Market & Café is the daily fuel stop for everyone in Colonial Grand, open seven days a week from 6:30am to 9pm, with specialty coffees made from locally roasted beans and fresh pastries delivered every morning from local bakeries.
The menu runs deeper than a typical café: açaí bowls, Greek yogurt parfaits, salads, and sandwiches make up a solid lineup that keeps you sharp from your 8am to your 6pm. The space itself is warm and inviting, the kind of place you don’t just grab and go from, but linger in between calls.
Pro tip: 25% off all bakeries and drinks Monday through Friday, 5–9pm. Late afternoons at Colonial Grand just got significantly better.
See the Menu →
Domingo en la Luna
Domingo en la Luna, “Sunday on the Moon”, started as something small and personal: Sunday night art sessions between three friends. Esmeralda, Graciela, and Zenaida. Small moments of shared creativity that became something much bigger than any of them expected.
Now a recognized Latinx creative collective rooted in Seattle, the trio creates one-of-a-kind jewelry, embroidery, photography, and multidisciplinary works drawn from their Mexican heritage and cultural upbringing. Every piece carries the weight of that lineage, handmade, intentional, and deeply human. Their name honors those original Sunday nights, and the ritual of coming together to make.
Their work has been recognized by Shunpike, Seattle’s leading arts nonprofit, as part of the city’s growing cohort of BIPOC-led creative businesses making their mark downtown. For Esmeralda, Graciela, and Zenaida, creativity is medicine, a source of healing, joy, and community.
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028 Barbershop
A great barbershop is part of the fabric of any thriving neighborhood, and 028 Barbershop delivers on that with real style. The Seattle outpost of a growing Washington State chain, 028 brings a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere to First Avenue with walk-ins accepted seven days a week.
The cuts are sharp, haircuts from $50, skin fades at $60, beard trims at $20, and the vibe is decidedly not corporate. Think pool table, big-screen sports, and a complimentary beer with your cut. Yes, really. It’s the kind of appointment you find yourself looking forward to instead of scheduling around.
For anyone working in the building, the convenience is absurd in the best way. A fresh cut between meetings, before a client pitch, after a long week. Walk in. Sit down. Leave sharp.
Book at 028 →“An 1890s building on First Avenue. A coffee shop, a tattoo studio, a barbershop, a vinyl art business, and a Latinx creative collective. This is what a neighborhood looks like when it’s working.”
Five Reasons to Work at Colonial Grand
- Historic architecture with modern infrastructure, 1890s brick, original ironwork, and arched windows paired with enterprise Wi-Fi, private suites, and in-suite showers.
- A location that earns its keep, steps from Pike Place Market, Elliott Bay, the waterfront, Post Alley, and some of the best lunch spots in Seattle.
- 24/7 access and move-in ready suites, no build-out, no long-term lock-in, just flexible terms that work for startups, solo founders, and growing teams alike.
- A building that actually has energy, ground-floor coffee, retail, creative studios, and a barbershop mean your day has texture beyond the desk.
- Operated by Rubicon Point Partners, a Bay Area real estate firm that owns and manages the building, so your landlord is also your property manager, one point of contact, no middlemen.
UnCommon Coworking Space Available
Private offices, dedicated desks, and open coworking inside one of Seattle’s most historic addresses, steps from the waterfront and Pike Place Market.
