6 minute read
AGENT INSIGHTS: PATRICIA O'CALLAGHAN
PATRICIA O’CALLAGHAN
CENTURY 21 Beutler & Associates Spokane, Washington
Where are you located?
Beautiful Spokane, Washington. Our office is located in the business district, where we have access to our crown jewel, Riverfront Park, as well as the Spokane River and tons of shops and restaurants.
How would you describe the area? What are the things that would attract people to live there?
It’s clean, green, walkable, drivable and affordable. Our city is known for being “Near Nature, Near Perfect.” We are also known for our wonderful lakes and camping, and the restaurant scene is currently capturing attention—we have several celebrity chefs and James Beard Award winners.
What property trends are you seeing in Spokane at the moment? Is there anything remarkable about the properties there?
Multiple offers, escalation clauses, and homes going well above list price. We are also seeing an influx of cash buyers coming in from other states after several articles were published about Spokane being one of the best places to live. I think the thing that makes our properties so remarkable is the pride of ownership that Spoke residents show in the care of their homes. If home is where the heart is, Spokane has a lot of heart.
What style of homes are in the area, predominantly?
Spokane has it all! Old historic mansions, amazing mid-century modern, ’50s flats, cozy bungalows, new construction, farms and acreage, you name it! There is a home for everyone.
What is there to do in and around the town?
There are so many things! Some of my favorites are the parks, especially Manito Park and Botanical Gardens. Manito Park has been around for more than 110 years—there’s an arboretum, botanical gardens and a conservatory, as well as five major garden areas. Manito Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed the grounds of Central Park in New York, and he later had his sons design a series of parks around Spokane so that everyone in the city was always close to some green space.
A little further out is Palouse Falls State Park—even though it seems quite remote (there is no cell service, and there are no busy roads nearby), you can take a day trip there to hike around and see the beautiful waterfall. It’s a two-hour drive each way, but it’s definitely worth it.
I also love First Friday, when the city and region’s art is shown in art galleries and businesses across downtown Spokane. The Lilac Bloomsday Run—a 12-kilometer run that passes through neighborhood festivities—is held annually on the first Sunday in May, and is a great charity event.
Is there much tourism in the region?
Absolutely. Imagine being the major hub for shopping, medical treatment and outings for people from Idaho, Montana and Canada. People come for the regular big-city attractions, as well as our outdoor adventure and historic past.
How far is your town from the nearest major city?
We are the major city; Spokane is the second largest city in Washington, and the 100th largest city in the United States. We are 4.5 hours across the Cascades to Seattle, which is a beautiful drive or a 1.5-hour flight. We’re a six-hour drive to Portland, or a one-hour flight. We are very accessible, and are becoming more and more so each year with so many added direct flights.
What are some of your favorite businesses or attractions in the region?
Currently, my favorite restaurant is the Inland Pacific Kitchen, which people here know as the IPK. Its menu is seasonal, and the chef uses fresh, local ingredients. It also has a full craft cocktail bar with
local and international beverage options. I love to sit at the bar above the presentation station, where you get a beautiful show watching the chef dress the plates.
If you are into Art Deco design, the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is on the Historic Register as one of the best examples of this era. This theater opened in 1931, and people say that the architect, Robert Reamer, haunts the space—he has been seen wandering around the theater, inspecting its features.
Another favorite is also on the Historic Register: The Historic Davenport Hotel. It’s a beautiful establishment, designed by architect Kirtland Cutter, and is something of a regional landmark for the area. The hotel’s rooms and halls are a huge drawcard for history and architecture buffs, as well as people who just love beauty and grandeur. One of my favorite things to do is sit under the Tiffany glass skylights while enjoying a cup of tea and watching all the visitors milling around.
For the more casual visitor, it’s no secret that the craft brewery scene is hopping in Spokane. Many Spokane breweries source local ingredients to create their concoctions, and share their love of beer with locals and visitors alike. One of my favorites is Iron Goat Brewery, which has an amazing menu for pizza lovers and vegans!
Why do these places stand out?
Rich with culture and local pride, all the places I have mentioned make Spokane special. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 18, and after 10 years I came back. Spokane draws people home, and it’s an easy choice to stay. Anyone looking in the Spokane area, call me. Let me give you a tour and show you what makes Spokane a wonderful place to live!
Manito Park in Spokane is more than a century old, and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed the grounds of Manhattan's Central Park. AWARD-WINNING FARE
Spokane is a hotspot for inspired cuisine, and is home to three chefs talented enough to be shortlisted for the James Beard Awards.
Wandering Table, Adam Hegsted
Now located in the Kendall Yards neighborhood in Spokane, Wandering Table grew out of a pop-up restaurant that traveled the northwest. At its bricks and mortar location, the restaurant focuses on locally sourced food, shared meals, quality and simplicity. In 2016, Chef and Owner Adam Hegsted was a semifinalist in the in the Best Chef Northwest category of the James Beard Awards, and, with numerous local restaurants and food festivals under his Eat Good Group banner, he is an active participant in the culinary growth of Spokane.
www.thewanderingtable.com
Fleur de Sel, Laurent Zirotti
With an impressive history of culinary education and experience in France, it’s no surprise that Laurent Zirotti’s food is heavily influenced by the cuisine of The Republic. Fleur de Sel, the restaurant that he runs with his wife, Patricia, features regional bistro French cooking, as well as Northern Italian dishes inspired by Zirotti’s family heritage. His expertise was recognized when Zirotti was made a semifinalist in the 2017 James Beard Awards, in the Best Chef Northwest category.
www.fleurdesel.weebly.com
Italia Trattoria, Anna Vogel
Weekend brunches are incredibly popular at Italia Trattoria in Spokane, where modern, elegant Italian food is the focus. Swiss-born Chef and Co-owner Anna Vogel gained widespread culinary experience in Australia, New York, Boston and Seattle before landing in Spokane and establishing Italia Trattoria with Co-owner Bethe Bowman. The restaurant’s contemporary space and satisfying Italian fare have earned it a loyal following, and Vogel’s 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist position in the Best Chef Northwest category is testament to her skill in the kitchen.
