Standing tall and very proud in all its refurbished golden-brick glory is The Marlborough—the scene of many a millionaire's party in the 1920s and a First Hill architectural treasure ever since.

In fact, "colorful" doesn't even begin to describe the history of this terra cotta beauty. Designed by the London-born architect Bertram Dudley Stuart in the Gothic revival style, The Marlborough dominated the First Hill skyline for decades and was (for a time) home to a member of the British royal family.

The 13-story tower features elements of the original craftsman-as-artist era: arched windows, elaborate terra cotta carvings, marble floors in the lobby, and film noir-worthy elevators.

Today, each home has been refreshed with color, materials, appliances, and system upgrades. As for the reimagined lobby and rooftop garden—well, come see.