Lake Washington Map of the Stars

Hundred Homes Publishing has published the map "Lake Washington Map of the Stars."  It provides a detailed from the water guide for viewing 55 of the most spectacular mansions (some multi-mansion compounds) in Lake Washington 130 Homes.  The map is available in book stores throughout the PNW. (It is not available online.)  The map is 91 cents ($1 including tax) and free with the purchase of Lake Washington 130 Homes.

Cruising Medina’s West Coast and Lake Washington

Page numbers on the map refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes.  This area covers pages 105 to 124.

The City of Medina is a low-density residential community with a population of 3,500.  It has 4.5 miles of waterfront and 1.6 square miles of land.  The city ranks number 2 behind Hunts Point in the state in per capita income with $82,000.  The waterfront boundaries are with Bellevue to the east in Meydenbauer Bay and with Hunts Point to the north around Evergreen Point in Fairweather Bay.

The southwest point of Medina is Dabney Point and home to Medina’s beach park, city hall and police department.  Medina’s west coast from Dabney Point to the SR520 Bridge is known as CEO row and Medina’s Gold Coast.  The mega-lots (lots over two acres) in this area of Medina stretch over 200 yards from the shoreline to Evergreen Point Road. Medina’s western bluffs are over 100 feet above the water.  Many of the bluff houses are hard to see from the water because they are high on the hill offering fantastic views.  Because of the height, many estates have trams.  These trams cost more than $100,000 each.  The stairways from the bluff to water level have over 100 stairs. There are three MLS listings over $4.2 million.

At the southern end are the side-by-side expansive Peter La Haye (deceased and inventor and developer of cataract implant lenses) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder and CEO) multi-mansioned estates (previous post).

Further north is the must see, Bill Gates compound. Since 1997 Microsoft and Bill Gates have been holding an annual very exclusive “CEO Summit.”  The inaugural 1997 conference introduced his 50,000 sq ft, $150 million, LW estate that was near completion.  Usually about 100 top-level people from around the world attend.  Sessions and meetings are held at the Microsoft campus and Bill’s estate, aka his personal Convention Center (see guide).

(This is the tenth chapter [go to next chapter] of our “Lake Washington Cruising” article. The chapters are being posted in reverse order.  When all chapters are posted they will be in order in this blog with the first chapter at the top.  I will be posting approximately two chapters per month.  You can read and print an abbreviated pdf version of the entire article.)

Bill Gates Mansion

Guide For Viewing From Water

A – Grand Staircase – 92 feet long, descending 84 steps with roof 63 feet above the stairway.  The Grand Entrance is at the top with a 6,300 sq ft garage for guest limos.  The gate for the road to the estate is in the upper right.  The driveway continues past the Grand Entrance through a second gate to the family four car garage above the inner sanctum [D].

B – Library (hidden behind [A] and trees), 2,100 sq ft and home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester.

C – Guest and convention wing with reception hall, guest rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, theaters, etc.

D – Family 11,500 sq ft “inner sanctum” with 4 bedrooms. A 60 x 17 foot indoor/outdoor pool is below and the lakefront building is the boat house.

E– Executive offices and main reception hall.

F – Security offices, activity center and exercise room.

Since 1997 Microsoft and Bill Gates have been holding an annual very exclusive “CEO Summit.”  The inaugural 1997 conference introduced his 50,000 sq ft, $150 million, Lake Washington estate that was near completion.  Usually about 100 top-level people from around the world attend.  Sessions and meetings are held at the Microsoft campus and Bill’s estate, aka his personal Convention Center.  Most of the meetings and social events are closed to the media and public and advance notices of the times and places of these are not provided.  The above is a guide to his lakefront convention center as viewed from the public waters of Lake Washington.  The estate along with more information is in LW 130 Homes on pages 118 and 119.

Medina Northwest - Mansions

South to North

A major Seattle fund raising brunch for President Obama was held at the Medina mansion of former Microsoft President, Jon Shirley on September 25, 2011. About 65 guests paid $35,800 per couple and listened to Obama blast the GOP. More information is in a 10/5/11 Seattle Mansions post. Jon was President and COO of Microsoft from 1983 to 1990 when he retired. The couple collects art and vintage racing Ferraris. The mansion is two houses north of Bill Gates’ campus. The Shirley’s mansion has 27,255 sq ft with only two bedrooms. Much of the mansion’s space is for the art and automobile collections. The value of these collections is estimated to be worth more than the $40 million estimated value of the property. The property is on 4.35 acres with 244 feet of waterfront.

This mansion was listed for $8.5 million in 2010 and $6.9 million in 2011. It is currently not listed. From the listing by Rondi Egenes, Windermere and Bruce Gunnels, Big Dog Realty “A masterpiece in construction, design, and finished detail. 130 front feet facing due west. 3200 square foot garage. State-of-the-art tram down to exquisite home, featuring 180 degree views of lake, mountains and Seattle Skyline. Augercast pilings at every bearing point under all structures. Invisible retaining walls, natural springs and waterfalls. Georgian heart pine floors and beamed ceilings, river rock fireplaces. Custom built by commercial contractor. The ultimate in privacy and solitude.” Most of the homes in this area are on the bluff with a tram to the waterfront and dock. This home is on the waterfront level with a tram up to the garage. The home is 4,540 sq ft on 1.0 acres with 130 feet of waterfront. It is owned by Daniel and Susan Nelson.

This home was listed in early 2012 and taken off the market later that year. It was listed by Tere and David Foster, Windermere, “This street-to-water estate in the heart of Medina is the perfect place to make memories for years to come. Drive up to this 1.03 acre of lush landscaping and past the sport court. Sitting atop the water, this home features views of Seattle and the mountains from almost every room. Walls of windows looking out at the oversized view patio sets the perfect scene for summer gatherings. Curl up in the recently remodeled media room in the basement for movie nights. Take the tram to 62 feet of west-facing waterfront to spend on sunny afternoons. Build your own beach house. Long-term guests may reside in the one bedroom guest house, well-appointed and finished in 2006. An inspiration for designers and architects: honed marble, clean lines and a luxurious master bathroom. Medina-approved remodeling plans available. This property has everything you need in a neighborhood you’ll never want to leave.” The property is owned by Anthony and Elaine Pagones. They are both Windermere Realtors/Brokers. The main house is 4,270 sq ft and the guest house is 1,720 sq ft.

Page Numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes.

The tour of Lake Washington Map of the Stars^® Mansions continues with Medina Evergreen Point - Mansions.

Medina Evergreen Point - Mansions

South to Northeast

This property is listed by Kathy Beckes, CB Danforth: “Estate Property. West Facing 232' Low Bank Medina Waterfront. 1.4 Acres. Spectacular views of Seattle Skyline, Olympic Mountains, University of Washington and beyond. Total Privacy, Expansive yard and 100' dock for multiple boats. Largest West facing Medina waterfront property available in years. Rarely does a property of this magnitude come on the market. Complete set of plans for a 13,000 sq. ft. home included in sale. Engineering/landscape design complete. Gold Coast Medina Estate Property.” The property is owned by KEH LLC. The agent for the LLC is John Tomlinson, an attorney, and the members of the LLC are Jacob and Inger Deutsch.

The Seattle Times and Puget Sound Business Journal had numerous 2012 articles about Michael and Linda Mastro’s flee from justice and their capture in October. The saga was one of the top stories of 2012. The Mastro’s were captured in France after 16 months on the lam. Their former mansion sold 12/6/10 for $9.1 million by the bankruptcy court. There are a series of attorneys listed as the buyers: Robert Bruce Johnston, LCY LLC Series Homes, and James F. Rigby Jr. that were used to sign the documents to keep the real buyers’ identity off the official records. Mastro paid $15 million for the mansion in 2006. The Mastro bankruptcy, with original debts of $570 million, is the largest in Washington state’s history. Many “family and friends” lost their fortunes when his commercial real estate investment funds failed. More information about Mastro and his former Medina Mansion is in Seattle Mansions posts: 1/3/13 In and Out of French jail, 2/26/12 Auction of Pieces, 4/6/11 Mastro Injured, 11/10/10 Sale of Mansion, 10/11/10 Listing of Mansion and 11/12/09 The Bankruptcy and Mansion. The 2010 listing was by Lisa Whittaker, Coldwell Banker Bain. The mansion is 7,050 sq ft on 1.1 acres with 176 feet of waterfront.

Christopher P. and Patricia Liddell sold their Medina mansion 3/21/11 for $4.5 million to Chandan Chauhan. Christopher had been CFO for Microsoft and GM. Chandan is a co-founder and Sr VP for Bellevue based Intelius. See 3/12/11 Seattle Mansions post and 5/20/11 Seattle Mansions post for more information on Liddell and Chandan. The Liddells purchased the mansion in 2005 for $7 million. The home was listed for sale at $8.8 million in 2009. At the time of the sale it was listed by Tere Foster, Windermere: “Waterside Reflections on Lake Washington. Waves roll gently up on the beach as the sunset dances across pavilions of glass. A magical dreamscape lays claim to 174 feet of waterfront w/ two docks. Views of LK WA, the UW Stadium, Seattle & Olympic Mts. The level waterside presents lush native plantings & pond. Gracious open living offers a sunny breakfast nook, view dining rm & intimate living area. An exceptional one-of-a-kind masterpiece w/ nature at your doorstep.” The estate has 7,365 sq ft on 0.63 acres.

This home is listed for $7.0 million. From the listing by Wendy and Kathryn Lister, CBBain: “1926...original specifications as stunning today as then. Rich cherry, moldings, terra cotta, shuttered windows, coved ceils. More, more! Fascinating analytic dyed cabinets, boxed ceil, 3 stoves, radar range, stainless backsplash, black granite...where? 5 star kitchen...in dress up clothes. 'Miles' of hardwoods. Library shelves. Tiers of gardens. Geranium greenhouse. Hand blown window. The dock? Can accommodate 124'. 45' moorage, 3 lifts. Old-fashioned street lamps. Dance studio, movies, wine.” The home is 4,990 sq ft on 0.5 acres with 75 feet of waterfront. It is owned by Bruce D. Milne. He is the Founder and CEO of Bothell-based Corum Group. From the firm’s website: “He has overseen more M&A transactions than anyone in the world over the past 22 years.”

This mansion is listed for $10 million. From the listing by Tere and David Foster, Windermere “Clean lines frame sweeping views of Lake Washington from this modern residence in Medina. Awash in sleek finishes and refined details, this home makes a dramatic statement. Sited on 80 feet of waterfront, the setting provides year-round entertainment, with outdoor living rooms, a sport court, and lush landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows and dramatic chandeliers set the stage. Caesarstone counters with clean lines and glass tile meet extreme functionality in the kitchen. Spend weekends working out in the swim spa followed by relaxation in the sauna. Game nights in the rec room, complete with a large projection screen and full kitchen. Not a room is missing from this over 9,000 square foot house [on 0.5 acres]. An absolute modern masterpiece on one of the most desired streets in Medina.” It is owned by PFHC Holdings LLC whose managers are Paul and David Pong. The Bellevue-based Pong family of LLCs has developed hotel properties in the greater Seattle area.

This mansion was listed for $7.2 million in 2010, $6.9 million in 2011 and $6.8 million in 2012. From the listing by Tere and David Foster, Windermere “The Manor at Fairweather Bay, presides over a protected position on the lake. The estate is a marriage of old world elegance and a modern sensibility. The grounds play host to expansive emerald lawns and private dock. A palette of colors and unrivaled attention to detail: rich millwork, stones, and European arches. Generous entertaining spaces: intimate formal rooms, media & game rooms, and outdoor living area. Guest house, garages for 6 cars & a spa are some of the luxuries at this fine estate.” The mansion is 6,040 sq ft on 0.6 acres with 60 feet of waterfront. It is owned by Jon A. and Laura Wood.

This mansion is listed for sale at $9.8 million. It was previously listed for sale for $9.9 million in 2009, for $8.5 million in 2010 and sold for $7.3 million 4/11/11. It previously sold for $11 million in 2006 to Joachim Hertel. David M Dryer is the current owner. The home is listed by Anna Riley, Windermere: “Grace and grandeur on the lake. This treasured waterfront oasis on exquisite street to water grounds has just been beautifully renovated with the luxury finishes and breath taking style. 100 ft of cherished waterfront w deep moorage. A true gas lamp gated arrival signals beautiful details including a slate roof, Italian plaster, statements of stone and unending master craftsmanship. A rare estate for today's active lifestyle celebrating the ultimate NW dream lifestyle. Private guest house.” The mansion is 7,560 sq ft on 1.0 acre with 100 feet of waterfront.

Page Numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes.

The tour of Lake Washington Map of the Stars^® Mansions continues with Hunts Point West – Fairweather Bay - Mansions.