Medina South – Bellevue West – Mansions Index – Simonyi, Myhrvold, Brotman, Obama, McCaw et. al

The following mansions are in earlier posts in this blog along with information about the mansions and their owners. Click on the highlighted and underlined heading to go to the respective posts.

South to Northwest

Bellevue Meydenbauer Bay East – Mansions (click to go to)

  

Medina Meydenbauer Bay West – Groat Point - Mansions (click to go to)

Medina South - Mansions (click to go to)

 The index for the tour of Lake Washington Map of the Stars^® Mansions continues with Gates, Bezos, Shirley, Mastro, Romney - Mansions Medina West Index (click to go to).

Page Numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes

President Obama at Brotmans 2/17/12

President Obama has returned to the Brotmans for a fundraising brunch today, February 17, 2012. This event was first reported in the Seattle Times in an Associated Press article on February 1 and there was a follow-up article today. The $17,900 per plate brunch for 65 people is at the mansion of Jeff and Susan Brotman. The funds will be used for Obama’s reelection campaign and to support the Democratic National Committee. The Brotmans previously hosted a $7,500 per plate Democratic fundraising lunch with Michelle Obama on October 25, 2010. The mansion is in the exclusive cove of Medina that includes Nathan Myhrvold’s T-Rex house, Charles Simonyi’s Window 2000 house and Gary Reed’s former estate. The mansion is on page 98 in Lake Washington 130 Homes.

Cruising and boating this area is in earlier LW Cruising posts (5/8/11 and 5/4/11).

Jeff is the Chairman and co-founder of Costco. The mansion, as reported in the New York Times, is known as “Their Art House” that includes monumental pieces by Richard Serra and James Turrell. The house was designed by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects who are known for designing art-galleries-cum-residences. The louvers on the front (water side) and roof of the house adjust to provide the optimum natural light on the extensive art collection.

Medina South - Mansions

South to Northwest

Medina’s south coast is known for its spectacular homes. After Gates’ estate, the most popular LW mansion viewing site is the cove northwest of Groat Point. This is the location of the “Windows 2000 House,” “T-Rex House” and “Their Art House.”

This mansion is 10,250 sq ft on 0.96 acres with 120 feet of waterfront. It is the home of Charles M. and Yvonne Pigott. Charles was President and CEO of Bellevue-based PACCAR, Inc. He led the company from 1965 to when he retired in 1996. PACCAR is now recognized as the truck manufacturing world leader and has numerous manufacturing facilities in the greater Seattle area. The company was founded by Charles’ grandfather, William Pigott, Sr., in 1905. Charles’ son, Mark Pigott (page 113), became Chairman and CEO in 1997.

Former Microsoft executive, Charles Simonyi, owns the mansion which has more windows than any other home on this lake. The house picked up its name when Microsoft introduced Windows 2000. Charles Simonyi is a Hungarian-born former Microsoft executive. His former girl-friend, from the 1980s until 2008, was Martha Stewart. He later met Lisa Persdotter, a Swedish socialite, and they got engaged on 08/08/08. He was 60 and she was 28 at the time. Their wedding in Gothenburg, Sweden, following three days of celebrations, was attended by neighbor Bill Gates. Simonyi was one of the initial commercial astronauts and the first commercial outer space frequent flyer. The mansion is 19,000 sq ft on 1.3 acres with 300 feet of waterfront. (For more information see Seattle Mansions May 2011 post and pages 4 and 94).

This property was listed at $7.9 million in 2009, $6.5 million in 2010 and $5.9 million since 2011. It is listed by Wendy Lister and Kirsten Paulsen, CBBain. “Platinum lakefront...southwest Gold Coast. Unsurpassed wade-in waterfront. Summertime marine amphitheatre...growing up or slowing down fitness rowing...sailboats in the bay...genius pool setting. Acknowledging classic sensitivity: full coach house with kitchen, terra cotta morning courtyard, French doors; solarium; shutters, knot gardens. A Medina generation home saluting its giant neighbors...retaining the irreplaceable charm of the past.” This home is on page 96 in LW 130 Homes. It is nestled in Medina’s southwestern cove between some of the area’s most spectacular mansions. It is owned by David and Judith McGrath and has 6,200 sq ft of 0.6 acres with 42 feet of waterfront.

Another former Microsoft executive, Nathan Myhrvold, owns the T-Rex House (page 97 and Seattle Mansions 2/22/10 post). Nathan used some of his Microsoft multimillions to fund a dinosaur bone digging foundation. Inside the big rounded windows of his living room you can see one of the t-rex skeletons he helped dig up. He co-founded Bellevue-based Intellectual Ventures in 2000 and the company has been featured in recent news. He is a prize winning nature and wildlife photographer and a master French chef, occasionally working as an assistant chef at top-of-the-line restaurants. The mansion is 19,600 sq ft on 2.0 acres with 115 feet of waterfront.

Costco co-founder and Chairman, Jeff and Susan Brotman own the mansion (page 98) known as “Their Art House” that includes monumental art pieces. The louvers on the front (water side) and roof of the house adjust to provide the optimum natural light on the extensive art collection. Jeff and Susan Brotman hosted lunch with Michelle Obama at their Medina mansion on October 25, 2010 (see Seattle Mansions 10/24/10 post). The $7,500 per plat lunch was a fundraiser for US Senator Patty Murray’s (Democrat Washington) reelection. President Obama returned to the Brotmans for a $17,900 per plate fundraising brunch on February 17, 2012 (2/9/12 Seattle Mansions post). The mansion is 11,500 sq ft on 2.35 acres with 215 feet of waterfront.

William G. “Gary” Jr. and Victoria Reed sold their 8,600 sq ft Medina mansion on 5.35 acres with 305 feet of waterfront (page 100 in Lake Washington 130 Homes) in September 2009. The estate features a waterfront tennis court and fabulous lawns and gardens. They moved to their new mansion in Madison Park. This and the Bezos' property at 5.35 acres each are the largest waterfront properties in Medina. See Seattle Mansions Blog for the sale and new mansion. The recorded buyer was Blue Water Realty LLC whose principals are Gary’s son and daughter, Doug Reed and Sarah Reed. Gary is the retired Chairman of Simpson Investment. He is the grandson of Mark Edward Reed who is the first of the Reeds to run Simpson Investment that is owned by the Reed/Mosley families. Gary grew up on the Reed Estate in Madison Park that was the early 1900s LW waterfront estate that was larger than the current Gates and Allen compounds. The estate was subdivided into nine lots and Howard Schultz is the most prominent resident on the old estate. (see 4/23/12 post).

This home was listed for $5.9 million in 2012 and lowered to $5.3 million in 2013. From the listing by Leo Van Hollebeke and Tere Foster, Windermere: “Expansive views & privacy in the heart of Medina. Enjoy 105 ft of south-facing beachfront, looking out to snowcapped mountains, Lake Washington, & nearby cities. Sited on almost 3/4 of an acre, mature lawns provide privacy for the ultimate in serenity & quiet. Clean lines & walls of windows reflect sparkling blue waters in this mid-century modern rambler. Entertain on the view patio leading out to the private dock. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on one of the most desired streets in Medina.” The home is 3,120 sq ft on 0.7 acres with 105 feet of waterfront. It is owned by John R. Biddle. He acquired the property from the estate of his mother, Mona Louise Biddle, when she passed away in 2011 at the age of 85. Her deceased husband, Brooks Biddle (1924-1999), was the founder of Bothell based Brooks Biddle Automotive, Inc. and a well-known football player at UW.

(Updated 5/23/13)

(Page numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes)

Hunts Point West – Fairweather Bay – Mansions

South to North

The $11 million sale was recorded 1/23/12. The buyer was listed as ERGL LLC whose agent and manager is Eric Bensussen. The sellers, Rodney and Janice Olson, purchased the Hunts Point 2 acre tip on 3/31/11 for $14.8 million (see Seattle Mansions /11/11 post). More information on this sale is in a 2/23/12 Seattle Mansions post. The listing price was $12.9 million at the time of the sale. It was listed by Tere Foster and Becky Gray, Windermere: “The Bellisima on Hunts Point. A grand interpretation of a Mediterranean classic characterized by distinctive quality and design. The carefully curate details have been applied individually preserving the character of the estate and carriage house. A tribute to highly sophisticated taste. A complexity & warmth that is seldom seen together. The nobility & beauty of fine materials. Graceful lines, sensitivity to proportion, a waterfront masterpiece. An extraordinary home. Exclusively Hunts Point.” The mansion is 9,675 sq ft on 1.1 acres with 80 feet of waterfront and is on page 136.

This mansion was listed for $9.5 million in 2011 and $9.0 million in 2012. From the listing by Rondi Egenes, Windermere “Prime Hunts Point waterfront with Olympic Mountain Views. The structures were totally remodeled in 2006. The main house is spectacular with big view windows, a skylight running through the entire home and an atrium in the home center. New kitchen, elevator, and baths; plus sauna. Walls of clear cedar and bamboo floors. The guest house is 1,508 sq. ft. plus 610 sq. ft. of storage, all new with another bedroom and possible 2 additional bedrooms, a gym; and office. Park-like setting on over an acre.” The mansion and guest house total 7,350 sq ft on 1.1 acres with 80 feet of waterfront. It is owned by Reginald S. Koehler III. He is Senior Counsel with the Perkins Cole law firm in Seattle.

This is the home of John N. and Sally Nordstrom. John retired as Director of Nordstrom in 2006. The mansion is 6,300 sq ft on 1.21 acres with 125 feet of waterfront and is on page 143.

This is the home of James D. and Janet Sinegal. James is the co-founder, with Jeffrey Brotman, of Costco and former President, CEO of the company. James started his retail career in 1954 as a bagger for FedMart. He worked with Sol and Robert Price in San Diego to form Price Club in 1976. In 1993 Costco and Price Club were similar in size with about $8 billion each in annual sales and the two companies merged. In 1994 and Price Club stores became Costcos. The mansion is 8,370 sq ft on 1.56 acres with 165 feet of waterfront and is on page 144. President Obama attended two fundraisers 7/24/12 at the mansion (click for more info).

This is the home of Scott D. and Laurie Oki. Scott is the owner of Oki Golf and was Sr. VP of sales and marketing with Microsoft when he retired in 1992 and cashed in stock options for approximately $100 million. He started Oki Golf with the acquisition of a 350 acre parcel that was an 1800s coal and construction waste landfill on top of a hill overlooking Lake Washington and Puget Sound and turned it into The Golf Club at Newcastle, a nationally top rated, high-end public 36 hole golf course with a 44,000 sq ft clubhouse. Oki Golf now owns nine golf course clubs in the Puget Sound area and Scott is known as the area’s golf mogul. The mansion is 7,180 sq ft on 1.85 acres with 259 feet of waterfront and is on page 145.

This property was listed for sale for $22.8 million in 2009, for $19.7 million in 2010 and sold for $14.8 million 3/31/11. It previously sold for $17.5 million in 2006 to Andre and Lisa Radandt from Bakersfield CA where they own Bolthouse Farms. This is the site of the former home of Stan Sayres (1897-1956) “The Legend of Lake Washington.” Sayres’ mansion was demolished in 2008. The current purchaser was Hunts Point Trust (Rodney and Janice Olson whose former home is south of here and the picture and write-up are above). This property was listed by Wendy Lister, CBBain: “Legendary Signature! A merger of nature's uncompromised beauty complemented by this vibrant Hunts Point position. Prominent at the tip, 1.93 acres of flat land. 846 feet of continuous waterfront. Magnificent new teak dock. Owners have also completed refurbishing the strong boulder bulkhead and have constructed two extraordinary granite walls. Two swathes of wade-in beaches. Parklike, the guardian of the peninsula ~ zoned for two lots. North, East and Western exposure. For those that can!” More information is on page 148 of LW 130 Homes and in a 6/11/11 Seattle Mansions post.

(Updated 7/23/12)

(*Page numbers refer to LW 130 Homes. This posting will be periodically updated to add links to the MLS listings and for new sales and listings.)

Lake Washington Map of the StarsTM

Lake Washington Map of the Stars^TM

Map not to scale.

Present and Past Residents/Owners: 

1 – Howard  Schultz, Starbucks Founder; 2 – Colin Moseley, Simpson Chairman;  Gary Reed, Former Simpson Chairman; 3 – Former Home of Keith McCaw, Cellular Phone Pioneer;  Rob Glaser, RealNetworks Founder; Peter Rose, Expeditors CEO; 4 – Paul Allen, Microsoft Co-Founder;  5 – Mercer Island’s newest $28 Million Mansion For Sale; 6 – Lake Washington 2009 Sale, $15.7 Million; 7 –$22 Million For Sale; 8 – $22  Million For Sale, Groat Point; 9 – Charles Piggott, Former PACCAR CEO; 10 – Charles Simonyi, The “Windows 2000 House”; 11 – Nathan Myhrvold, The “T-Rex House”; 12 – Jeffrey Brotman, Costco Co-Founder; 13 – Mansion sold in 2009 for $22 Million by  William “Gary” Reed, Jr, Former Simpson Chairman; 14 – Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder; Former Home of Peter La Haye (1940-1999), Cataract Lenses Pioneer, For Sale in 1999 For $45 Million; 15 – Mark Piggott, PACCAR CEO; 16 – Bill Gates, Microsoft Co-Founder; 17 – Evergreen Point; 18 – John N. Nordstrom, Former Nordstrom Director; 19 – James Sinegal, Costco Co-Founder; 20 – Former Home of Stan Sayres (1897-1956), “The Legend of Lake Washington,” Hunts Point, $20 Million Lot For Sale; 21 – Craig McCaw, Cellular Phone Pioneer and Former Home of Kenny G, Saxophonist; 22 – Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO; 23 – Former Home of  Leigh Hunt (1855-1933), Seattle Post-Intelligencer Founder and Publisher, Yarrow Point, $20 Million For Sale.