Tacoma’s downtown skyline is changing daily with the development of chic condominiums, stylish townhomes and trendy apartments, and the annual Tour of Urban Living will be your chance to get inside 16 of these properties to be a part of the action.

The Tour of Urban Living will take place Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, self-guided tour highlights the best that downtown Tacoma has to offer. Tour the urban lifestyle that includes Tacoma’s museum row, fabulous eateries, revitalized waterfront, eclectic shops, and the free Link Light Rail that will get you there.

But this year’s Tour won’t just be a gathering of potential residents and admirers. It will be kicked off with a celebration of the people who already live downtown.

The second annual Block Tie Affair will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., to celebrate Tacoma’s urban pioneers. Last year’s inaugural gathering attracted more than 400 downtown dwellers and this year’s function promises to appeal to even more. The Block Tie Affair is an opportunity for those who’ve already chosen to live downtown to meet face-to-face while enjoying appetizers and entertainment from local musicians, along with the chance to tour the galleries of the museum.

The Block Tie Affair is sponsored by the downtown Tacoma development community, the Downtown Tacoma Merchant’s Group and the City of Tacoma. The Tour of Urban Living is sponsored by participating properties, Click! Network, the Business Improvement Area and The News Tribune.

Maps of the Tour of Urban Living are currently available via http://www.downtowntacomaliving.info and the City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department, 747 Market St., 9th Floor. Tour maps will also be available on both days of the event at an information booth inside the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 1515 Commerce St.