
Grey's Anatomy is a popular medical drama series set in Seattle that revolves around the lives of surgical interns, residents, and doctors working at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, formerly known as Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. The show is led by Dr. Meredith Grey, who rises through the ranks from an intern to the hospital's chief of general surgery. The hospital, though fictional, is based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, and exterior shots of the building are taken from Fisher Plaza, home to KOMO, adjacent to the city's Space Needle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Seattle Grace Hospital (formerly), Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital (formerly), Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital (current) |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Address | 303 W Comstock Street, Queen Anne, Seattle |
| Inspiration | Harborview Medical Center, Seattle |
| Filming Locations | Los Angeles, Hollywood, Kerry Park, KOMO Plaza, Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, North Hills |
| Filming Exterior | KOMO Plaza, Fisher Plaza |
| Helipad Exterior | KOMO Plaza |
| Filming Interior | Sets in Los Angeles |
| Filming Started | 2005 |
| Creator | Shonda Rhimes |
| Main Character | Dr. Meredith Grey |
| Other Characters | Dr. Ellis Grey, Dr. Preston Burke, Dr. Arizona Robbins, Dr. Miranda Bailey, Dr. Callie Torres, Dr. Richard Webber, Dr. Owen Hunt, Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dr. Mark Sloan, Dr. T. Thomas, Dr. Chang, Dr. Katharine Wyatt, Dr. Rebecca Swender, Dr. Harry Victor, Dr. Jim Nelson, Dr. Knox, Dr. Vincent Orsen, Dr. Matthew Savoy, Dr. Harrison, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Cristina Yang, Dr. Alex Karev, Dr. Neil Lefkoff, Dr. Jeremy Bennett, Dr. Raj Sen, Dr. Kevin Fisher, Dr. E. Gendall, Dr. Paul Kay, Dr. Hoffman, Dr. Pinosky, Dr. Erica Hahn, Dr. Sadie Harris, Dr. Margaret Campbell, Dr. Megan Nowland, Dr. George O'Malley, Dr. Jordan Kenley, Dr. Martin Vance |
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What You'll Learn

The hospital is fictional and not filmed in a real hospital
The hospital in Grey's Anatomy is fictional and not filmed in a real hospital. While the show is set in Seattle, the hospital that serves as the setting for the show is not located there. The fictional hospital, Seattle Grace Hospital, is based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. However, the medical center is not used for filming, and the show is mostly filmed in Los Angeles on sets. The exterior shots of the hospital are filmed outside the Veterans Administration Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in North Hills, Los Angeles, and the helipad at KOMO Plaza (also in Los Angeles) is used to show the rooftop of the hospital.
The show revolves around the doctors working at Seattle Grace Hospital (later named Seattle Grace Mercy West and finally, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital). The central character of the show is Dr. Meredith Grey, who viewers follow from her time as an intern at the hospital to her role as the hospital's chief of general surgery. The hospital has become a character in its own right, playing a key role in many storylines and carrying a lot of history.
While the hospital is not a real place, there are several iconic Grey's Anatomy filming locations that fans can visit in Seattle. These include the KOMO TV News Plaza, which houses Seattle's leading news source and serves as the exterior of the hospital, and Kerry Park, which offers picture-perfect views of downtown Seattle and has been featured in many filming scenes.
In addition to these locations, fans can also visit the infamous Intern House located at 303 W Comstock Street, where almost all of the interns at the hospital lived across the seasons. Finally, a hike up to Poo Poo Point offers breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline, which has been featured in various posters and city skyline shots throughout the series.
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It is based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center
The fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (turned Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital) in Grey's Anatomy is based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. The show was created by Shonda Rhimes and premiered in 2005 by ABC. Although the show is set in Seattle, most of the filming takes place in Los Angeles, with the hospital set located in Hollywood. The outdoor shots of Seattle are mostly real, with the exception of the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, whose exterior shots are taken from Fisher Plaza, home to ABC's Seattle affiliate KOMO.
The hospital is named Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a nod to the show's main character, Meredith Grey, and her mentor, Dr. Mark Sloan. The hospital is also sometimes referred to as Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital following its merger with Mercy West Medical Center in 2009 due to financial difficulties.
The show features many iconic Seattle landmarks, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Gas Works Park, Kerry Park, and Bainbridge Island Ferry. These locations provide a picturesque backdrop to the show's dramatic storylines, which centre around the lives and relationships of the doctors working at the hospital.
While the hospital in Grey's Anatomy is not a real place, fans of the show can visit some of the filming locations in Seattle and Los Angeles. The sets are usually closed to the public, but occasional events and charity auctions are held, providing exclusive access to dedicated fans.
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The hospital's exterior is filmed at KOMO Plaza
The hospital in Grey's Anatomy is fictional and does not exist in real life. The show is set in Seattle, and while much of the filming is done in Los Angeles, the exterior shots of the hospital are filmed at KOMO Plaza in Seattle. KOMO Plaza is home to ABC's Seattle affiliate KOMO, and the helipad on the roof of the building features in many dramatic shots. The building is adjacent to the city's iconic Space Needle.
The hospital was initially called Seattle Grace Hospital, but after experiencing financial difficulties, it merged with Mercy West Medical Center to become Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. It is now known as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The show's sets are not usually open for tours, but events and charity auctions are sometimes held to allow fans an exclusive look.
Fans of the show can visit other filming locations in Seattle, including the infamous Intern House, where almost all of the interns lived across the seasons, and Kerry Park, which offers picture-perfect views of the city, including the Space Needle, Mount Rainer, Elliott Bay, Bainbridge Island, and downtown Seattle.
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The show follows Meredith Grey's progression from intern to chief of general surgery
The long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy follows the life of Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the daughter of world-renowned general surgeon Ellis Grey. The series begins with Meredith's acceptance into the surgical residency program at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. The hospital is based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, but the show is mostly filmed in Los Angeles.
During her internship, Meredith works alongside fellow physicians Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev, and George O'Malley, who each struggle to balance their personal lives with hectic schedules and stressful residency requirements. They are overseen by Miranda Bailey, a senior resident, who later becomes the hospital's Chief Resident and an attending general surgeon. Meredith is particularly close with Cristina, who becomes her best friend.
As a surgical resident, Meredith is still under the supervision of other physicians and surgeons. This role is pivotal for her successful surgical career, as she participates in a number of learning opportunities and becomes more familiar with the operating room. She rotates through different services, developing an understanding of her interests and what she wants to pursue further.
After the successful completion of her residency, Meredith officially becomes an attending general surgeon. She later moves on to various leadership roles, including Director of Residency and Interim Chief of Surgery. Following the death of her husband, Meredith returns to Seattle and is appointed Chief of General Surgery by Bailey, who had held the position prior. In this position, Meredith manages all the general surgeons, trains interns and residents, and works on difficult surgeries, such as double-lung transplants.
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The hospital has been central to many storylines
The hospital in Grey's Anatomy has been central to many storylines. The series revolves around Dr Meredith Grey, following her journey from surgical intern to a fully qualified doctor and eventually the hospital's chief of general surgery. The series also chronicles the personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings. The hospital was initially known as Seattle Grace Hospital, based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. It was established in 1947 and served as the central location for the show until it merged with Mercy West Medical Center in 2009 due to financial difficulties, forming Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. The new hospital was based at the current site of Seattle Grace Hospital.
The hospital then changed its name once more to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in memory of Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan. The doctors who were on the plane that won the lawsuit against the hospital, which created animosity, bought Seattle Grace Mercy West with help from the Harper Avery Foundation. They became the Board of Directors, known as the "Grey-Sloan 7".
The hospital has become a character of its own, carrying a lot of history and keeping many storylines going. For instance, a grieving widower arrived at the hospital to kill the doctors who worked on his wife's case, shooting 11 people, injuring seven, and killing himself. The hospital also serves as a common relaxation area for the physicians, with Joe's Emerald City Bar and Grill located across the street.
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Frequently asked questions
The hospital in Grey's Anatomy was initially called Seattle Grace Hospital. It was later renamed Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital and is now known as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The hospital in Grey's Anatomy is located in Seattle, Washington, USA. However, the show is mostly filmed in Los Angeles, California.
No, the hospital in Grey's Anatomy is not a real place. It is a fictional hospital based on Seattle's Harborview Medical Center.
Some of the doctors working at the hospital in Grey's Anatomy include Dr. Meredith Grey, Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dr. Miranda Bailey, and Dr. Callie Torres.




















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