Mercer Island Northwest - Mansions

Hunter Simpson, Kazuhiro Sasaki et al. Mansions

North to South

The home was listed for $8.1 million in 2012, reduced in early 2013 to $7.8 million and taken off the market in May 2013. It was listed by Betsy Terry, Ewing & Clark. From the Listing: “Stunning no-bank home designed by Northwest Master George Suyama. Soaring ceilings with clear paneling and strong structural elements, tall walls of glass taking in the dominating northerly views of Lake Washington. Open floor plan blends the spaces: marble and oak floors, handsome paneling, limestone accents and terrace that continues to the lakeside. Stunning millwork incl custom, tall doors, fine cabinetry. 3 car garage. Beautiful entry courtyard. Extraordinary design & setting. Guesthouse.” The mansion is owned by William P. and Margaret Dorsey and is 5,760 sq ft with on 0.47 acres with 90 feet of waterfront.

The above sign was displayed for approximately two years (2007-2009) while the mansion on the left was under construction on the north end of Mercer Island. Pictures similar to the one above appeared in national publications and Internet blogs. The mansion on the left was built for Justin Graham, the architect was Eric Cobb and the owners of the mansion next door, who were displaying the sign, were Greg and Carol James. The Graham house was completed in 2010 and the neighbors, the architect and the kids became friends. Cobb and this mansion have received numerous architectural awards. Justin is President of Seattle based Grakon International Inc (aka Grakon, LLC). The company is a “Global Leader in the Design & Development of Advanced Lighting Systems & Engineered Trim Components for Premier OEM Vehicle Manufacturers.” The mansion is 6,270 sq ft with 76 feet of waterfront on 0.5 acres. The Jameses sold their mansion in 2012 (see following paragraph). (More information about and pictures of the Graham mansion and sign are in a Seattle Mansion 4/23/13 post)

This mansion sold 11/28/12 for $6.6 million. It was listed 10/12 for $6.9 million by Tere and David Foster, Windermere: “The estate stands proud as you enter the gates to this luxurious residence placed on a shy half acre in one of the most sought after communities on Mercer Island. Soaring ceilings, marble & wrought-iron anchor grand spaces for entertaining. The open floor plan creates a sense of ease for formal or casual gatherings. A grand master suite with large walk-in closet and spacious bath provides an escape. Game and movie nights in the entertainment wing with its’ own kitchen. Waves roll up on the private beach, as you enjoy jewel-tone sunsets & the glow of the city lights from downtown Seattle and Bellevue. Mature lawns host garden parties, with an outdoor kitchen and expansive patio. A perfect spot for Seafair, with an amazing dock & surely one of the best positions on the lake.” The sellers were Greg and Carol James. Greg is the Founder and CEO of Renton based TOPICS Entertainment. The buyer was Andrew C. Myers. The mansion is 7,730 sq ft on 0.5 acres with 75 feet of waterfront. In 2007 and 2008 the mansion had a famous sign on its dock regarding the mansion under construction next door (see paragraph above). (More information about the Myers-James mansion is in a Seattle Mansion 4/23/13 post)

This mansion sold for $6.0 million 4/29/11 to an LLC. It was the home of W. Hunter and Dottie Simpson. Mr. Simpson died in early 2006 at the age of 96. Hunter and Dottie were prominent, long-time Mercer Island residents known for philanthropy and community service to Mercer Island and the Seattle area. Hunter was a top executive with IBM before joining, in 1966, Redmond based Physio-Control. The company is a developer and manufacturer of heart and blood pressure monitoring equipment including defibrillators. He became President and CEO and built the company into a top international company recognized as an outstanding business to work for. His obituary was published 1/22/06 in The Seattle Times. This Mercer Island mansion is 5,920 sq ft on 1 acre with 110 feet of waterfront.

The lot with a teardown house was sold in 2008 for $9.3 million. It was listed for $12.5 million by Kathy Beckes, CB Danforth, From the Listing: “Mercer Island's Faben Point Waterfront, one of the most prized parcels. Gold Coast Waterfront on this truly spectacular estate, nestled organically on a 1.27 acre parcel, with 160' of the most coveted Lake Washington waterfront. In the heart of Mercer Island's enclave, Faben Point, this property offers a main residence, a gated drive, special privacy only afforded on a large parcel, a guest house, livable lakeside beach house, deeded dock and covered moorage. Rare opportunity to inherit all the benefits and fun of this historic property, minutes from downtown Seattle!”The house was torn down and this new 8,100 sq ft was built. The purchaser/builder/new-owner is Fox Creek LLC. The governing persons of the LLC are Mark and Lisa Caputo. Mark is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mercer Island based Liberty Dialysis. The company has more than 100 nationwide dialysis clinics. The company raised more than $300 million in one of the Seattle area’s largest private financing deals in 2010.

Around 1920 a Seattle land tycoon, Sam Israel, bought this parcel where three large mansions now stand. Sam lived here until 1961. After that his house was boarded-up and the weeds and blackberries grew wild. He died in 1994 at age 95 and his legacies are the Samis Foundation and the Samis Land Co. The Foundation held this property and sold it to Bellevue-based Pacific Properties in 1998. The three mansions were completed 2003-2006. The mansions, from left (north) to right are: 10,340 sq ft with 90 feet of waterfront on 0.7 acres (2008 appraised value $9.1M); 8,911 sq ft with 96 feet of waterfront on 0.7 acres (2008 appraised value $6.1M); and 9,000 sq ft with 110 feet of waterfront on 0.8 acres (2008 appraised value $8.1M). The one in the middle was listed for $10.4M in 2009. The one on the right (south) was sold in 2010 for $6.8 million (12/20/10 SM post).

This mansion was listed for $10.4 million in 2009 and taken off the market later that year. From the listing: “Exclusively Mercer Island.. lakefront manse with suspended jewel box views dripping like diamond pendants. Impressive volume.. negative edge pool.. dancing under the stars in the el fresco party zone. A kitchen theater: beveled glass, commercial Viking range, dentil molding, Plasma TV. Sun Valley in Seattle ~ floor to ceiling river rock stone. Full home office; 3^rd kitchen. Main floor master suite; full guest quarters. 96 feet of sandy beach. Gated shy suburban acre. Loge Seafair seats. Moorage.” This is the home of John B. and Monica Norris. John is the owner and CEO of Norris Homes Inc. Norris Homes, founded in 1991, builds homes in its 18 communities in the Puget Sound area. The mansion is 8,911 sq ft with 96 feet of waterfront on 0.7 acres.

This mansion sold for $6.8 million 10/14/10. It was listed for $8.8 million in 2009 and lowered to $7.9 million in 2010 by Kris Robbs & Jane Potashnick, Ewing & Clark. From the Listing: “MI Westside, Northend reduced over $1.5 to accommodate the fall in market prices. A Showstopper! 5BR, 8BA, 7FPL. Be creative-some financing or trade possible for small summer property. Built for FUN! Great RM flows seamlessly into formal areas. Lower level boasts antique bar, theater, wine cellar. Upper level Mstr ste made for romance-fpls, steam shower, footed tub and dream closet. Outside enjoy decks, lower level covered patio sits by the hottub and pool with frpl's. Guest house. 5 car gar. WOW.” The mansion sale was featured in a 12/20/10 Seattle Mansions Post. The sellers were William K. and Mary E. Buckley. The buyer was Lars Karlsson Edenkrans, a prominent clothing industry CEO from Sweden. The mansion is 9,000 sq ft with 110 feet of waterfront.

This is the former home of Kazuhiro Sasaki of the Seattle Mariners. He came from Japan and relief pitched for the Mariners from 2000 to 2003. He was an American League Rookie of the Year and an All-Star player. He was a local icon known for throwing “The Thang.” The home was purchased in 2004 for $2.2 million by Sun Lo and Hsiao Lin. It is named “Bridge View.” The home is 3,880 sq ft on 0.4 acres with 85 feet of waterfront.

        (Updated 5/19/13)

Page numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes

Click on Mercer Island North - Mansions for north-end Mercer Island mansions to the east.

Click on Mercer Island West-North - Mansions for Mercer Island mansions to the south.