Spotted: “50 Shades Darker” Filming in Seattle

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We know they’ve been filming in Pioneer Square. Let’s investigate where else this steamy movie is being shot.

Spoilers ahead.

Seattle is abuzz, and not with over-caffeination. “Fifty Shades Darker andFifty Shades Freedhave begun filming! For the past week, film crews have taken over Pioneer Square and, as we Seattleites know, closed down parts of the Alaskan Way Viaduct for a pivotal scene (my money’s on the infamous chase scene from “Fifty Shades Freed). With both films being shot back to back, and most of the filming set for Vancouver, B.C., we can only imagine that they have to return to Seattle to film more key scenes. Let’s review the scenes that mention Seattle, so we can get in on all the filming action!

Pioneer Square

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Anastasia: “I drop a gear and floor it. The R8 shoots forward, slamming us both into the backs of our seats. The speedometer whips up to seventy-five miles per hour.” -E.L. James “Fifty Shades Darker”

Over this past weekend, the famous Audi was spotted in Pioneer Square. They filmed what would be described as a chase scene. The only chase scene occurs in Fifty Shades Freed, which concludes with Ana and Christian hiding out in the…

Stewart and Boren Parking Lot

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Christian Grey: “‘We’re hidden in the parking lot between Stewart and Boren,’ Christian says into the BlackBerry.” -E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Freed”

Now, this next scene gets a little scandalous and anyone who has read the book will know why. But, if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the filming, fear not. This condo located three blocks away will hopefully get you a bird’s eye view of this smouldering scene.

Escala

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Anastasia: “The last time we flew to Seattle it was dark, but this evening the view is spectacular literally out of this world. We’re up among the tallest buildings going higher and higher.”

Christian: “‘Escala’s over there.’ He points toward the building. ‘Boeing there, and you can just see the Space Needle.’” -E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker”

As we all know, Christian Grey lives in a penthouse at the Escala, a luxury building located on 4th Avenue between Stewart and Virginia. The question is, will you be be able to catch a glimpse of Christian and Ana filming in or around the Escala?

Well, good news if you’re interested in getting right in on the risque action. You can own a condo in the infamous building for $1.28M.

Pike Place Market

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Anastasia: “Kate’s dad has done us proud. The apartment is not large, but it’s big enough, three bedrooms and a large living space that looks out on to Pike Place Market itself. It’s all solid wood floors and red brick, and the kitchen tops are smooth concrete, very utilitarian, very now. We both love that we will be in the heart of the city.” –E.L. James, “Fifty Shades of Grey”

Though in Seattle, “The Pike Market District,” is known solely as “Pike Place Market.” In the “Fifty Shades” series, Anastasia resides at her Pike Place Market condo with her roommate, Kate. Spoiler alert, that is until Christian buys her that absolutely gorgeous house on the water. Though you can’t own a home over Pike Place Market, you can own one remarkably close to it. This gorgeous condo not only overlooks the waterfront, but also looks out at Pike Place Market, so hopefully you can see Jamie Dornan or Dakota Johnson filming.

Columbia Tower

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Anastasia: “The Mile High Club is on the seventy-sixth floor of the Columbia Tower, higher even than Christian’s apartment. It’s very now and has the most head-spinning views over Seattle.” –E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker”

Columbia tower is the tallest building in Seattle and has a view of the city that is to die for. With a view that can’t be replicated, we can’t imagine them filming anywhere else but Columbia Tower. The Mile High Club is an actual restaurant, where you too can emulate the Fifty Shades Darker experience. Sea bass anyone?

The Fairmount Hotel

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Anastasia: “The suite has two bedrooms, a formal dining room, and comes complete with grand piano. A log fire blazes in the massive main room. Jeez . . . This suite is bigger than my Apartment.” –E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker”

A historic landmark in Seattle, The Fairmont Hotel is known for luxury, sophistication and hopefully some Fifty Shades Darker filming. Most of the action takes place in the “Cascade Suite,” (which is an actual suite in the Fairmount). The room is described as having two large bedrooms, a jetted tub and a view of the financial center of Seattle. For most of us, splurging on a night in the Cascade Suite maybe a little extravagant. But, fear not, they also describe the courtyard and the fountain, which means we might get a peak of the two love birds rushing into the hotel.

Meydenbauer Bay

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Anastasia: “Behind me, the sides of the tent through which we entered are being closed, while at the front, two servers pull back the canvas, revealing the sunset over Seattle and Meydenbauer Bay.” “It’s an absolutely breathtaking view, the twinkling lights of Seattle in the distance and the orange, dusky calm of the bay reflecting the opal sky. Wow. It’s so calm and peaceful.” –E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker”

Meydenbauer Bay is the setting of the glamorous masquerade ball that Christian and Anna attend. It is also the home of Christian’s parents, Grace and Carrick Grey. Recently the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie Instagram posted a photo with a little teaser of the ball itself. But, for those of us living in Seattle, we can only hope that they will film the famous scene in Meydenbauer Bay, at the fictional home of Christians parents. Meydenbauer Bay is located just east of Seattle and this house listed for $3.598M could easily be a replica of the Grey’s family house. Who knows, maybe they will film right next door?

Elliott Bay Marina

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Anastasia: “We stroll arm in arm to the waterfront where the marina stretches out in front of us.‘So many boats,’ I murmur in wonder. There are hundreds of them in all shapes and sizes, bobbing up and down on the calm, still waters of the marina. Out on the Sound there are dozens of sails in the wind, weaving to and fro, enjoying the fine weather. It’s a whole-some, outdoorsy sight.” –E.L. James, “Fifty Shades Darker”

In “Fifty Shades Darker” Christian takes Ana on a weekend sail on his catamaran “The Grace.” In the book they are described as driving “toward the waterfront,” then heading north on Alaskan Way. Now if you follow those directions and then head onto Magnolia Bridge, you will hit Elliott Bay Marina. Spoiler: Before Christian and Ana head out for their sailing adventure, they stop for lunch at a fictional “seafront bar” called SP’s Place, where the decor is described as “more New England than West Coast”. There are only two restaurants on Elliot Bay: Palisade and Maggie Bluffs. In my opinion, their lunch sounds a little more casual, so I personally think Maggie Bluffs will be the restaurant in “Fifty Shades Darker.

Let’s all hope that on a beautiful Seattle day, we will find the “Fifty Shades Darker” crew filming on the Marina.

Which of these locations do you hope to spot the “Fifty Shades Darker” film Crew at? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @Redfin.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
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Allison Dunmore

Allison is a PR Coordinator for Redfin. When she’s not writing content for the Fun & Fabulous section, she’s finding creative home projects to do in her own studio apartment. Her dream home would be a huge open loft with lots of room for entertaining friends and hanging out with her two cats. Redfin is a full-service real estate brokerage that uses modern technology to make clients smarter and faster. For more information about working with a Redfin real estate agent to buy or sell a home, visit our Why Redfin page.

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