Photos are subjective, and I've seen photos here where I "don't get it" either. It's what makes the world go 'round.
I've seen so many photos of Seattle that I couldn't even attempt to count. I've taken a fair number of them myself. None, in my humble opinion, match #1 above.
First, it's a unique vantage point. That means it's not the same old from-the-water shot. Also, what is lacking makes it different, and that's the famous Space Needle. (It is in the second shot, though.) Most folks want to make sure that gets in the shot at the cost of composition. (I've been guilty of that myself.) Most of those shots are for tourists or for relatives out of town.
The colors are just fantastic and without the oh so typical overdone post processing job. (Everyone seems to be into over-saturation now-a-days.) -- It just looks natural and inviting.
And composition is spot on.... etc...
And that's why I like it.