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An aerial view above the city of Seattle at sunset. There are many city buildings. In the distance is a body of water. The sky is orange and blue.
The view from Columbia Center. Anna described the Columbia Tower Club at the top as having “the most head-spinning views over Seattle.”
Yicheng Wang/Shutterstock

The Seattle locations of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’

Seductively mapped

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The view from Columbia Center. Anna described the Columbia Tower Club at the top as having “the most head-spinning views over Seattle.”
| Yicheng Wang/Shutterstock

When Fifty Shades of Grey hit theaters in 2015, it joined the ranks of Sleepless in Seattle, Singles, 10 Things I Hate About You, Say Anything..., and others with its Seattle location. Typical for Hollywood portrays of the Pacific Northwest, most of it was actually filmed not in Seattle, but Vancouver, British Columbia. But Seattle certainly gets her close-up in this steamy story, for better or worse. If you haven't already seen Fifty Shades fans flocking to Escala, the site of Christian Grey's penthouse, or the Fairmont Olympic, where he and Anastasia Steele spend an evening together in the Cascade Suite, just give it time.

If you're one of those looking to explore Seattle through the eyes and experiences of Mr. and Mrs. Grey (spoiler?), we've mapped out all of the local locations mentioned in the books (some in the movie, too). As for exactly where in Escala the Red Room of Pain is located, you're on your own. Literally.

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Christian Grey's condo at the Escala

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Christian Grey lives in the penthouse, naturally, of this downtown Seattle tower. The 31-story luxury apartment building is a perfect choice for the mysterious businessman. It's among Seattle's most sought-after condo towers and home to the most expensive Seattle condo listings on the market at any given time. The specific condo that inspired the book went on the market in September 2018 for $11.5 million.

The tops of two tall skyscrapers. The sky is blue and purple at sunset. Escala

Ana's Apartment at Pike Place Market

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When she's not all tied up with Christian, Ana shares an apartment with her best friend Kate near Pike Place Market. The industrially styled three-bedroom unit is paid for by Kate's parents, and certainly not by two twenty-somethings starting their career out in Seattle.

Columbia Tower Club

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The tallest skyscraper in Seattle doesn't make an appearance until Fifty Shades Darker, when Christian takes Anastasia here to eat at the Columbia Tower Club. In the book, Anastasia describes the tower by saying "It's very now and has the most head spinning views over Seattle." How a building finished in 1985 is very now, well, we're still working that out. As for the view, she might be right on that one.

Ralph's Grocery & Deli

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In Fifty Shades Freed, a local deli and market “two blocks from Escala” is mentioned. At a quick glance, that must mean Ralph's—which, sadly, closed in 2015 and is now a CVS. Maybe this is where Christian got all of his wines and gourmet snacks.

Christian Grey's Mansion (Blue Ridge/North Beach)

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In Fifty Shades Darker, Christian takes Ana to a Mediterranean-style mansion overlooking Puget Sound in the vicinity of Blue Ridge/North Beach (it's never specifically said)—a posh enclave known for its views. In the movie, they filmed at historic Casa Mia in Vancouver, but it tracks that a similar property would exist in this neighborhood.

Zig Zag Cafe

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"Can’t we sneak a quick cocktail at the Zig Zag Cafe? I’ve booked us a table,” says Kate in Fifty Shades Freed, urging Ana to join her for a quick chat while Christian is out of town. The beloved establishment is located below Pike Place Market, and is known for its craft cocktails.

Fairmont Olympic Hotel

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“Christian pulls into the impressive, leafy driveway of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and parks near the front door, beside a quaint stone fountain... As I stand beside him at the reception desk, I feel utterly ridiculous.” Christian and Ana escape to the hotel's Cascade Suite, which overlooks the financial district and includes a piano.

The Grace in Elliott Bay Marina

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Need to find Christian's catamaran, The Grace? In the fictional world of Fifty Shades, you’ll find it here, unless he's out, uh, catamaraning around Puget Sound trying to impress Ana.

Stewart and Boren

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After a car chase, Christian and Ana hide out in a parking garage on this corner. While parked there in his Audi RB, they end up—surprise!—having sex. While there used to actually be a parking lot there, the site is now the office building Hill7, which houses HBO, Redfin, and a WeWork location.

The Heathman Hotel (Kind of)

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Technically, the Heathman Hotel in the books is the one in Portland. That's where Ana and Christian get to know one another during a photo shoot. Short of driving all the way down to Portland, this sister hotel is the closest you'll get to recreating the full Fifty Shades experience. No word on whether or not this Heathman Hotel has an elevator No. 3.

Sea-Tac International Airport

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There's quite a bit of air travel in the series and so there are quite a few stops at Sea-Tac. You'd think Christian Grey could work out a deal to keep his plane at Boeing Field, but, whatever...

Christian Grey's condo at the Escala

Christian Grey lives in the penthouse, naturally, of this downtown Seattle tower. The 31-story luxury apartment building is a perfect choice for the mysterious businessman. It's among Seattle's most sought-after condo towers and home to the most expensive Seattle condo listings on the market at any given time. The specific condo that inspired the book went on the market in September 2018 for $11.5 million.

The tops of two tall skyscrapers. The sky is blue and purple at sunset. Escala

Ana's Apartment at Pike Place Market

When she's not all tied up with Christian, Ana shares an apartment with her best friend Kate near Pike Place Market. The industrially styled three-bedroom unit is paid for by Kate's parents, and certainly not by two twenty-somethings starting their career out in Seattle.

Columbia Tower Club

The tallest skyscraper in Seattle doesn't make an appearance until Fifty Shades Darker, when Christian takes Anastasia here to eat at the Columbia Tower Club. In the book, Anastasia describes the tower by saying "It's very now and has the most head spinning views over Seattle." How a building finished in 1985 is very now, well, we're still working that out. As for the view, she might be right on that one.

Ralph's Grocery & Deli

In Fifty Shades Freed, a local deli and market “two blocks from Escala” is mentioned. At a quick glance, that must mean Ralph's—which, sadly, closed in 2015 and is now a CVS. Maybe this is where Christian got all of his wines and gourmet snacks.

Christian Grey's Mansion (Blue Ridge/North Beach)

In Fifty Shades Darker, Christian takes Ana to a Mediterranean-style mansion overlooking Puget Sound in the vicinity of Blue Ridge/North Beach (it's never specifically said)—a posh enclave known for its views. In the movie, they filmed at historic Casa Mia in Vancouver, but it tracks that a similar property would exist in this neighborhood.

Zig Zag Cafe

"Can’t we sneak a quick cocktail at the Zig Zag Cafe? I’ve booked us a table,” says Kate in Fifty Shades Freed, urging Ana to join her for a quick chat while Christian is out of town. The beloved establishment is located below Pike Place Market, and is known for its craft cocktails.

Fairmont Olympic Hotel

“Christian pulls into the impressive, leafy driveway of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and parks near the front door, beside a quaint stone fountain... As I stand beside him at the reception desk, I feel utterly ridiculous.” Christian and Ana escape to the hotel's Cascade Suite, which overlooks the financial district and includes a piano.

The Grace in Elliott Bay Marina

Need to find Christian's catamaran, The Grace? In the fictional world of Fifty Shades, you’ll find it here, unless he's out, uh, catamaraning around Puget Sound trying to impress Ana.

Stewart and Boren

After a car chase, Christian and Ana hide out in a parking garage on this corner. While parked there in his Audi RB, they end up—surprise!—having sex. While there used to actually be a parking lot there, the site is now the office building Hill7, which houses HBO, Redfin, and a WeWork location.

The Heathman Hotel (Kind of)

Technically, the Heathman Hotel in the books is the one in Portland. That's where Ana and Christian get to know one another during a photo shoot. Short of driving all the way down to Portland, this sister hotel is the closest you'll get to recreating the full Fifty Shades experience. No word on whether or not this Heathman Hotel has an elevator No. 3.

Sea-Tac International Airport

There's quite a bit of air travel in the series and so there are quite a few stops at Sea-Tac. You'd think Christian Grey could work out a deal to keep his plane at Boeing Field, but, whatever...