Explore the Neighborhood
One of the best ways to understand 4th Corner Commons is to walk the neighborhood.
Our future home is in the Lettered Streets Neighborhood, bordering the Columbia Neighborhood and the Fountain District. These are some of Bellingham's oldest neighborhoods, filled with charming homes, tree-lined streets, beautiful gardens, local gathering places, and plenty of little surprises.
In about two miles, this walk will give you a taste of what everyday life around 4th Corner Commons could look like: parks and playgrounds, coffee and food, theater and music, neighborhood businesses, historic buildings, and downtown Bellingham just a short walk away.
So put on your walking shoes and come explore!
DISTANCE: Approximately 2 miles
TIME: 50–60 minutes
DIFFICULTY: Easy
Begin Tour
Future home of 4th Corner Commons
1306 Dupont St, Bellingham, WA
Imagine this as home: Your front door opens onto a courtyard connecting you with your neighbors, and just beyond it, a neighborhood waiting to be explored, with delightful surprises around every corner.
Welcome to 4th Corner Commons!
Before you set off, take a look around. This is where our new community will take shape.
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Across Dupont Street are several neighborhood businesses, including a yoga studio, hair studio, Gabriel's Art Kids, and Wanida Thai Restaurant.
Two beautiful heritage Elm trees anchor the front corners of the property. These trees will be preserved during construction of our new community.
Dupont Street has bicycle lanes in both directions.
Look south along Dupont Street and you'll see just how close downtown is—only about eight blocks away.
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From the corner of Dupont Street and I Street, walk toward the back of the site along I Street.
Turn right (southeast) onto Ellsworth Street.
Look for Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, an active and beloved congregation that frequently hosts concerts and community events.
Turn left (northeast) onto H Street.
You'll pass Fouts Park, with its playground.
Look for the street mural at H Street and Halleck Street.
Turn left (northwest) onto Halleck Street.
In spring, be sure to look toward J Street, where the cherry trees are spectacular in April.
Cross Broadway Avenue and make a slight left onto Monroe Street.
Fountain Plaza
2001 Meridian Street
Bellingham, WA
Imagine running errands without getting in the car. Coffee, groceries, services, a quick bite, and a little wandering, all part of the neighborhood.
The fountain at Fountain Plaza marks the historic beginning of the Guide Meridian route. In the 19th century, travelers and their livestock stopped here for fresh water and a rest. The Guide Meridian later became an important route north from Bellingham.
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Cross Meridian Street at Monroe Street.
Look north along Meridian at the shops and neighborhood services.
On your left, you'll find The RE Store—definitely worth a stop if you enjoy treasure hunting for interesting building materials, furniture, and architectural finds.
Turn right (north) onto Kulshan Street.
See if you can spot the house with the gargoyles on the corner of Monroe and Kulshan.
Walk three long blocks and turn left (west) onto Connecticut Street.
2620 Northwest Avenue
Bellingham, WA
Good Local Brews
You've reached Goods Local Brews, a neighborhood favorite and a great example of the casual, local character you'll find throughout this part of Bellingham.
With lots of covered outdoor seating, food trucks, a produce stand, beer on tap, and even a hair salon housed in an old bus, Goods has a little bit of everything.
Tip: This is a good place to imagine the possibilities of a Saturday afternoon when you live nearby.
Columbia Neighborhood
Take your time here. One of the joys of walking a neighborhood is discovering the details–the gardens, porches, quirky houses, and delightful expressions of personality.
The Columbia Neighborhood is known for its beautiful, tree-lined streets and distinctive homes. As you walk, take a look at the gardens, front porches, landscaping, and all the creative ways people have made their homes their own.
This is one of those stretches where it's worth slowing down and looking around.
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From Goods, carefully cross Northwest Avenue and continue west on Connecticut Street for two blocks.
Turn left (south) onto Park Street.
Continue on Park Street until you reach Elizabeth Park.
Elizabeth Park
2205 Elizabeth Street
Bellingham, WA
Imagine this as your backyard. A morning walk. An afternoon with the grandkids. A picnic with a friend. A game of pickleball. A summer evening listening to music under the trees.
Established in 1884, Elizabeth Park is the oldest park in Bellingham. It covers 4.5 acres and is home to dozens of tree species, along with a historic bandstand, fountain, playground, tennis courts, and open space.
The park has long been a gathering place for the neighborhood. In summer, the free Summer Concert Series brings people together to picnic, dance, listen to music, and enjoy one another's company.
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Make your way through the park toward the southwest corner at Madison Street and Walnut Street.
1400 West Holly Street
Bellingham, WA
Broadway & Holly
Community comes in many forms. A clubhouse. A theater. A neighborhood bar. A shared meal. A summer concert. What are the places where you imagine becoming a regular?
A great place to pause and take in the view
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Exit Elizabeth Park at Madison and Walnut and head south on Walnut Street.
Turn left onto Eldridge Avenue.
Cross Eldridge/Holly Street at Broadway Avenue and walk to the overlook.
From here, you'll see the marina straight ahead and, to your left, Western Washington University on Sehome Hill.
Cross Eldridge/Holly again.
Now take a moment to look at Broadway Hall. Built in 1904, it was originally known as the Aftermath Clubhouse and is believed to have been the first women's clubhouse built in Washington.
Next door on Holly Street is Elizabeth Station, a neighborhood institution known for pizza, an extensive beverage selection, and its role as a social hub for the Columbia Neighborhood.
Theatre Guild
2205 Elizabeth Street
Bellingham, WA
Just ahead is the Bellingham Theatre Guild, a volunteer-driven community theater that has been producing theater in Whatcom County since 1929. The Guild has produced hundreds of shows and operates out of a historic former church building.
It's another great example of the kind of community institution that makes this neighborhood feel like more than just a collection of houses.
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Turn left (northeast) onto J Street.
Note: From here, you're only about four short blocks from 4th Corner Commons.
Turn right (southeast) onto Astor Street.
Turn left (northeast) onto H Street.
As you pass Bancroft Street, look for the Old Village Trail on your right. The trail runs parallel to Dupont Street toward downtown.
Lettered Streets
1001 Dupont Street
Bellingham, WA
Imagine your Saturday morning. Coffee here. A newspaper or a good book. Maybe you run into a neighbor. Maybe you walk home together.
You'll soon reach Lettered Streets Coffee House, one of our favorite neighborhood coffee spots—and only about two blocks from 4th Corner Commons.
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Your neighborhood coffee stop
Head right (southeast) through the theater parking lot.
Turn left (northeast) onto G Street.
Turn right (southeast) onto Dupont Street.
You'll soon reach Lettered Streets Coffee House, one of our favorite neighborhood coffee spots—and only about two blocks from 4th Corner Commons.
The coffeehouse occupies the historic Breitenstein Building, constructed in 1890 by German mason and bricklayer Frederick W. Breitenstein. Many people still refer to it as the Pickett Building because of the "Pickett 1890" lettering on the building's façade.
And here's another reminder of just how close 4th Corner Commons is to downtown: continue southeast on Dupont Street and you'll reach downtown in roughly five blocks.
There you'll find the Central Library, museums, the Pickford Film Center, Mount Baker Theatre, restaurants, art galleries, shops, and plenty more.
End Tour
Future home of 4th Corner Commons
1306 Dupont St , Bellingham, WA
