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BELLEVUE’S WEST SIDE: MANSIONS AND MODERNS

August 24, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven Leave a Comment

Bellevue lies east of Seattle, across Lake Washington. No longer just a bedroom community of Seattle, Bellevue is a growing, sophisticated city. So big, in fact, that this week I want to focus on a portion of that area: Bellevue’s west side—essentially comprising Medina, Clyde Hill, West Bellevue, and Enatai (including Beaux Arts Village).

Many people—when looking for homes on Bellevue’s west side—tell 360 Modern they will consider homes in any of the above neighborhoods. No wonder. Take a drive through this beautiful, inviting area and you’ll experience firsthand the flavors of these individual communities.

MEDINA

Technically, Medina is a city. One-and-four-tenth square miles in size, incorporated in 1955, current population under 3,000. The most famous resident is Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates. In Medina, you’ll find some of the priciest single-family real estate on the Eastside, much of it Lake Washington waterfront. There’s also the private Overlake Golf and Country Club, featuring an 18-hole course, outdoor swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Medina’s newer, more impressive residences mix easily with the town’s older, established mid-century homes. The community’s overall feel—with its tiny post office, wood frame corner grocery, and public beach—is surprisingly woodsy, rural, and welcoming.

CLYDE HILL

In size, population, and affluence, the City of Clyde Hill is a lot like Medina. However, unlike Medina, Clyde Hill does not have waterfront homes. What this prosperous micro-city does have is a large inventory of outstanding luxury residences that—due to Clyde Hill’s elevation—often feature spectacular Lake Washington and mountain views. Close to Downtown Bellevue, parks, and more. Plus, just minutes to Downtown Kirkland.

WEST BELLEVUE

From upscale single-family residences, to condominiums so plush they look like French chateaux, West Bellevue is a mix of some of the best Bellevue has to offer. The city was designed on a large grid pattern with a mind for automobile traffic. In that way, Bellevue comes with the ideals and ideas of the Atomic Age. Bordering Clyde Hill to the west, and Enatai to the southwest, West Bellevue boasts a large inventory of mid-century Modern and contemporary Modern homes in subdivisions like Surrey Downs and Lochmoor. There’s also shopping (Bellevue Square is right there—so are Lincoln Square, The Bravern and Old Bellevue) and many public parks (Meydenbauer Park on Lake Washington, the City of Bellevue’s Downtown Park, and more). Close to the Bellevue Art Museum. Convenient to I-405. And—recession or no recession—there’s a fair amount of new construction going up in West Bellevue.

ENATAI (AND BEAUX ARTS)

Luxury single-family waterfront homes and view properties. Twisting, sylvan roads. Welcome to Enatai. Like West Bellevue (but unlike Medina and Clyde Hill), Enatai is part of the City of Bellevue. Making the most of its natural setting, Enatai has several parks, including Enatai Beach Park on Lake Washington. Enatai also borders the 320-acre Mercer Slough Nature Park (Lake Washington’s largest remaining wetland).

Enatai surrounds Beaux Arts Village, which was established in 1908 “to develop art and its appreciation here in the Northwest” and incorporated as a city in 1954. The population of this tiny hamlet is only about 300. Exit your car in Beaux Arts, and you’re immediately aware of the scent of lush vegetation and cedar trees. This is ideal Northwest living: large lots (a few on Lake Washington), spacious one-of-a-kind homes (some in the mid-century Modern style). Beaux Arts residents also have access to the community’s private beach and its two docks of community moorage.

The streets in Beaux Arts are mostly narrow, winding lanes bordered by ferns and towering Evergreen trees. The area is so quiet and woodsy, it’s reminiscent of an alpine village. But get in your car—or go for a bit of a walk—and in minutes you’re in Downtown Bellevue.

MODERN IN BELLEVUE

As an affluent area, Bellevue has more than it’s share of custom Mid-Century and Contemporary Moderns, several by our most famous and influential architects-Paul Kirk, Roland Terry, Paul Thiry and Omer Mithun, to name but a few. Over the years, many of the older Mid-Century homes were torn down to make way for the large custom homes found throughout the area. However, with the popularity of the style returning, remaining Mid-Century homes are often being loving restored and renovated. For the more modest pocketbook, the neighborhood of Surrey Downs is an enclave of small, mid-century modern homes built by Omer Mithun in the 50′s. 360 Modern broker Kirsten Robertson had the highest priced sale ever recorded in Surrey Downs on a house that sat on the market all of 5 days!

Contemporary Moderns are abundant and most are expansive, custom residences with no detail or expense spared. If you are looking for a reasonably priced, newly-built, Modern home, this is not the place. Many of the newer condominium projects like the beautiful, LEED Gold Certified Bellevue Towers and One Main were built in the modern style however and most have units that fit the pocketbook of the first or second-time home buyer.

Bellevue as a city has much to offer-proximity to Seattle and easy access to the Eastside, upscale restaurants, shopping and cutting edge Modern homes. In a word…amazing.

Filed Under: Articles, Bellevue, Eastside, Kirkland Bellevue

MAGNOLIA: PANORAMIC PENINSULA

August 18, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven Leave a Comment

Last week I wrote about Mercer Island. This week, we’re exploring a peninsula—specifically, the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle. Hilly, winding Magnolia is located just west of Queen Anne Hill. It’s one of the largest neighborhoods in the city. To the north, it’s bounded by Shilshole Bay and Salmon Bay; to the west by Puget Sound; to the south by Elliott Bay and Smith Cove.

THREE BRIDGES

To get to Magnolia, you have to cross any of three bridges that carry you across tracks owned by the BNSF Railway. Magnolia is about ten minutes to Downtown, five minutes to Queen Anne, and five to ten minutes to Ballard (depending on whether the Ballard Bridge is up or down.)

First-time visitors to Magnolia are often pleasantly surprised by its relaxed, small-town feel. The heart of the community is the business district, nicknamed “Magnolia Village.” There’s not much traffic in the Village, and the sidewalks are planted with Magnolia trees. Village services include a post office, hardware store, gas station, garden center, supermarket, coffee shops and restaurants, and numerous retail shops.

SUMMER FUN

In summer, Magnolia Village is home to the Magnolia Farmers Market. There you’ll find fresh produce, flowers, baked goods. This year, the market opened in June and runs every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, through October 8. The nearby Magnolia Community Center offers sports activities and classes. The adjacent Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool—open May through September—is one of only two public outdoor pools in Seattle. And of course, Magnolia is home to the city’s largest public park, Discovery Park, with its many trails, breathtaking views, and quiet beach.

MID-CENTURY GEMS

Magnolia has been part of Seattle since 1891, but was largely developed post-WWII. Therefore, Magnolia features a large number of mid-century Modern homes. The Seattle Public Library’s Magnolia Branch is a mid-century gem. Originally opened in 1964, the building was designed by Paul Hayden Kirk. A plaque attached to the landmark structure says it is “recognized as a quintessential example of Northwest design with distinct influences of Japan.”

At the southwest edge of the peninsula, you’ll find an abundance of beautiful, high-end properties ranging in style from Craftsman and Colonial to the steel beams and sculpted concrete of mid-century and contemporary Modern dwellings. Most homes in that part of Magnolia have underground wiring and spectacular views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Several contemporary Modern homes are currently going up in and around that area.

In the past two years, our own Heidi Ward has listed twelve Magnolia homes—ten of which were either mid-century Modern or newer contemporary Modern homes. In just one example of how a knowledgeable, experienced broker can help give you an edge, Heidi recently sold a Modern home in Magnolia “off market” (that is, she represented both buyer and seller, and the home was never even listed on the MLS).

The power of 360Modern!

Filed Under: Articles, Contemporary Modern, Magnolia, Mid-Century Modern, Modern Neighborhoods, Seattle Tagged With: Magnolia, Seattle

MERCER ISLAND: DESIGNED FOR LIVING

August 11, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven 2 Comments

East Seattle

Mercer Island residents have the best of both worlds. On the one hand, Islanders enjoy a picturesque existence. They live in a lushly forested environment, surrounded by the freshwater “moat” of Lake Washington. On the other hand, they also enjoy the sophistication and convenience that comes with being just minutes from Seattle.

BLUE WATER AND MOUNTAINS

Of course, it wasn’t always that way. Mercer Island saw its first European-descent settlers in the late nineteenth century. For many years, the region was accessible only by boat, and remained sparsely populated. But in 1940, a floating bridge was built linking Mercer Island with Seattle. The island’s population grew. By 1970, the entire area was incorporated as the City of Mercer Island.

Today, Mercer Island remains a place of greenery and tranquility. A community of mostly single-family residences, the island offers hundreds of acres of open space and parkland, plus many miles of forested walking/hiking trails. Winding, country-like roads reveal surprises around every corner: Amazing retreats perched on steep bluffs; emerald green hillsides rich with sword ferns, maples, and towering evergreens; sweeping blue water and mountain views.

LOTSA MODERN

The friendly Downtown area at the north end of Mercer Island offers many shops and services, yet manages to keep its small-town feel. And not surprisingly, given the history of its growth, the island has an impressive inventory of mid-century Modern and custom Modern homes.

Many well-known “Northwest School” architects designed homes here—including Ralph Anderson, Paul Hayden Kirk, and Wendell Lovett. Northwest mid-century architect Gene Zema designed ten homes on the island. (A book on Zema’s work is scheduled for publication in 2012.)

BRISK MARKET

In the last year, Mercer Island saw over two hundred and fifty sales of single-family homes. Fifty-four of those residences fell into the category of Modern—whether mid-century, contemporary Modern, or Northwest contemporary. Right now, we are seeing a lot of new contemporary Modern homes being built there. Days on the market currently average about three months, although many homes have sold in just a few days. Waterfront and view properties on the island can be pricey, one million and up. But the average price for all non-waterfront homes is $895k—up 1.8% from last year. And that’s in a down market!

Interested in Mercer Island?

360 Modern team Monica Posado and Laurence Barratt, specialize in Mercer Island Modern homes. One of their current listings is a choice 1959 Fred Bassetti-designed home (sale pending) that was under contract in just seven days.

Filed Under: Articles, Eastside, Mercer Island, Mid-Century Modern, Modern Neighborhoods

Laurelhurst: Charming and Eclectic

August 4, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven Leave a Comment

Can Modern and Traditional live happily side by side? You betcha. Especially in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood. Located in the northeast part of the city, much of Laurelhurst was originally developed in the 1920s and 30s. Its large storybook Tudors and upscale Colonials beautifully reflect the residential architecture so popular during that period.

But from the 1940s to the present, Laurelhurst has also welcomed many spectacular in-fill residences in the Modernist style. Today, Laurelhurst is a fabulous, eclectic mix, where every home is as individual as its owners.

WATER AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Laurelhurst sits on a steep hill. The eastern side of the hill slopes down to Lake Washington, the south to Union Bay. So there are impressive waterfront residences, but there are also many lovely homes stepping back up the hill, with spectacular views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. Underground wiring throughout the area enhances those views.

Laurelhurst’s winding, hilly streets are quiet and inviting. You might hear the snip of a gardener’s shears or the low hum of a faraway seaplane, but that’s about it. Most yards are beautifully landscaped. And there is a large inventory of graceful, mature trees.

BEACH CLUB

Laurelhurst home owners south of NE 50th Street are eligible to join the private Laurelhurst Beach Club, on the shores of Lake Washington. The Beach Club is open June through September. Members can enjoy swimming (lifeguard on duty), volleyball, small craft boating, and more.
A treasured public resource is Laurelhurst Park, featuring tennis courts, ball fields, play area, and large lawns. The park is also home to the brick-fronted Laurelhurst Community Center, built in 1934 (an addition was constructed in 2007). The old portion of the building is an official city landmark.

TWENTY-EIGHT MODERN

Of the sixty homes that sold in Laurelhurst last year, twenty-eight were mid-century Modern. Our own Tanya Thackeray Wilson was involved in three of those Modern home sales. In particular, Tanya was the listing agent on “a fantastic Modern house on a tiny lot.” It was a short sale—but Tanya went all out. She put the same time, effort, and marketing into it that she would put into a traditional sale. The result? The home sold for full market value (almost unheard of for a short sale).

Tanya points out that Laurelhurst is close to both the University of Washington and the Burke Gilman Trail. University Village is just minutes away. And, Tanya says, there’s a great trio of public schools serving Laurelhurst: Laurelhurst Elementary, Hamilton International (Middle) School, and Roosevelt High School.

Filed Under: Articles, Laurelhurst, Modern Neighborhoods, North Seattle, Seattle

Olympic Manor: Variety and Views

July 26, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven 1 Comment

If you want to see one of the largest concentrations of mid-century homes in Seattle, visit Olympic Manor in Crown Hill (north Ballard). The main entrance is at NW 85th Street and 23rd Avenue NW.

Once, this was the site of the popular Olympic Golf Course, built in 1927. But Seattle’s post-war economic boom brought fast-growing families and the demand for new housing. In 1953, the golf course was razed. A new community of over 350 homes—Olympic Manor—went up in its place.

MID-CENTURY VARIETY

The majority of residences in Olympic Manor were built in the 1950s. The result is a pleasing variety of mid-century styling: two-story, split-level, and single-story are all here, and although most wouldn’t be considered “modern”, they are often blank slates that could tend that way if the owner chose to go that direction. While Olympic Manor’s architectural lines are mostly classic two-story homes and one-story ramblers, you’ll also find a sprinkling of Mediterranean and Asian-influenced retreats. With their spacious floor plans and large lots, these homes were built for comfort—and that aesthetic still holds true today. Exterior materials include wood, exposed concrete, and that mid-century favorite Roman brick.

PROTECTED VIEWS

The majority of Olympic Manor homes feature sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Restrictive covenants not only preserve the community’s mid-century look, they also protect its water and mountain views by limiting tree height. A few streets (not all) have underground wiring.

What else will you find in Olympic Manor? In-city quiet. Also wide sidewalks, broad lawns, neatly trimmed shrubs (the Olympic Manor Garden Club has been going strong for over 50 years). Lots of room to walk, play or ride bikes.

Olympic Manor’s winding roads discourage cut-through traffic, so street activity is minimal and parking is rarely a problem. Wide driveways and generously sized two-car garages are common. So are decks, patios (summer BBQs!), and huge picture windows—the better to enjoy those water and mountain views.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Olympic Manor has an active community club. The annual Yuletide lights display always makes the list of must-see holiday lights around Seattle. And the annual Olympic Manor two-day community-wide garage sale draws loyal crowds. (This year’s sale is slated for Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11. And yes, depending on who’s selling what, you’ll occasionally find a mid-century era treasure.)

Olympic Manor is about two minutes from Crown Hill’s main shopping and services. It’s less than ten minutes to popular Downtown Ballard. Turnover is not high here, but homes do come on the market. Last year, fourteen properties changed hands in Olympic Manor. Two of them were “modern” and both sold within days.

Filed Under: Articles, Mid-Century Modern, Modern Neighborhoods, North Seattle, Seattle

Hilltop Community: The Folks Who Live On The Hill

July 21, 2011 By The Mid-Century Maven 4 Comments

The Hilltop Community, near Bellevue, is a treasure. This truly special time capsule of mid-century Modern is important for several reasons: The organic, natural beauty of the area; its significant collection of Northwest Modern homes (which blend so well with that natural beauty); and the forward-thinking philosophical and democratic principles that have guided Hilltop’s residents for over sixty years.

The Backstory

Hilltop is a collaborative community. It was founded in the late 1940s and early 1950s by a small group of friends—and quickly became one of the Northwest’s most exciting mid-century experiments in social planning and living.

The roughly sixty-acre tract features forty naturally landscaped home sites of an acre each (or close to it). By-laws prohibit subdivision of the lots. The remaining twenty-three acres of greenbelt hold Hilltop’s private playfield, swimming pool, tennis court, walking trail. These are go-to homes for buyers seeking classic Modern living, family living, entertaining.

Northwest Modern

Nearly all of Hilltop’s residences were built in the 1950s. Many significant Northwest Modernist architects designed dwellings there—including Fred Bassetti, Paul Hayden Kirk, and Wendell Lovett. These homes were brilliantly scaled to feel a part of the landscape, not imposed upon it.

Utilities are underground, and most homes have outstanding views. There are no fences. At Hilltop, the spirit of cooperation and shared values is strong. Home owners work together to maintain the common areas. And in a charming, decades-long tradition, neighbors often get together for a Friday night barbecue.

Buying In

Limited inventory and desirable lifestyle mean Hilltop homes don’t often come on the market. In the last two years, there have been just four sales there. These ranged in price from a 2-bedroom, 2-bath residence that changed hands for $625k in August 2009, to a 4-bedroom, 2-bath that sold in late 2009 for $830k. Hilltop’s two most recent sales (both in 2011), were at $650k and $690k, respectively.
What You Really Need to Know: 360 Modern was involved in three of Hilltop’s four most recent sales. Two of those homes never even hit the open market—we had buyers already lined up. The third sold in a few hours, again because 360 brought in a buyer right away.

Hilltop is just one instance where I feel 360 Modern’s focus on Modern homes, and our strong connection with that network, really gives you an edge. I hope you will call us with any questions you have about Hilltop, or any other Modern community or home.

Filed Under: Articles, Eastside, Kirkland Bellevue, Mid-Century Modern, Modern Neighborhoods