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.

Mercer Island East Channel South - Mansions

South to North

The southern tip of Mercer Island, “Southpointe,” is the mansion of Marc A. and Sally Onetto. Marc is Sr. VP Worldwide Operations for Amazon. They purchased the estate 7/3/2007 for $5.6 million extensively renovated and upgraded it in early 2009. The home is 5,150 sq ft on .63 acres with 147 feet of waterfront.

Looking east across the lake in Renton is the 19 acre Seahawks headquarters and practice facility which opened in 2008. The facility is state-of-the-art and considered one the NFL’s top 3 team facilities.  It has one indoor and four outdoor full-size football fields plus administrative offices, gyms, rooms for lockers, training, dining and conferences and a 146-seat auditorium. The buildings have 113,000 square feet.

This mansion was listed for $6.9 million in 2011, $6.2 million in early 2012 and $5.9 million in late 2012. It is listed by Wendy and Kathryn Lister, CBBain. From the Listing: “The power of beauty! . . . Full, delightful connected coach house. Extraordinary 1397sf covered boathouse area . . .  Pillars rise up; dark beams lend authority . . . The stunning stone kitchen . . . Four substantial en suite bedrooms including the Master Suite with his and hers salon baths. . . . Downstairs, a mélange of living and fun. . . 500 bottle wine cellar; 2 kitchenettes  . . . The grounds anchor the home . . . simply magnificent.” The estate has the 8,400 sq ft mansion on 0.62 acres with 95 feet of waterfront, 5 bedrooms and 6.25 baths. This is the mansion of Richard Ferry, retired Founder Chairman of Korn/Ferry International. Korn/Ferry is the largest and regarded as one of the most prestigious international executive search firms. Mr. Ferry co-founded Korn/Ferry with Lester Korn in 1969. Mr. Ferry retired in 2001 and moved from Los Angeles to Mercer Island because of his love for the Pacific Northwest. He purchased this lot and its old home for $1.6 million in 1999 and built this mansion in 2003.

The home was listed at $6.8 million early 2012 and recently was lowered to $6.3 million. It is listed by Gigi Forbes, Windermere. From the Listing: “This stunning residence is a creation of the finest materials, unparalleled craftsmanship and sophisticated design. With nearly 5,500 sq ft, this 4 BR, 4.5 bath home is a masterpiece of elegant and uncompromised modern living. The natural feel of warm, exotic woods and natural stones fused with the artistry of custom glass will just take your breath away. Every view and every detail is an experience that will keep you inspired and joyful in spending time in your home. Let this be your retreat.” The property is 0.6 acres with 65 ft of waterfront. The property is owned by Richard and Rick Soltys Huizinga. The Huizingas are software developers for the mobile and gaming industries.

This mansion was listed for $5.0 million by Kathy Beckes, CB Danforth. : “Premier lakefront luxury estate on 90 feet on flat no-bank waterfront. An Exceptional home designed for exclusive entertaing. This newly completed showpiece offers 6,000 square feet of dazzing finishes and superior craftsmanship. This stately home boasts two private master suites. Open the expansive lakeside Nana walls and experience the pleasures of indoor/outdoor living. Walk the exquisitely landscaped level grounds. Water feature with bronze sculpture, huge play yard. Level access!” This property was sold 10/26/10 by Gerald and Jodi Kent to Hui Liu and Yu Hou.

This is the most spectacular mansion on Mercer Island’s eastside. It is owned by Martin and Janet Rosa. He is a retired Bellevue dentist and Las Vegas property investor. The couple purchased this lot and its old home for $2.4 million in 1993 and built this home in 1995. The mansion is 11,400 sq ft on 1.9 acres with 260 feet of waterfront. The 70 ft yacht, The Bella Rosa, is often docked here when it is not in Alaska or other destinations.

This landmark historic mansion sold for $5.3 million in December 2012. It was listed for $8.0 million in 2011, taken off the market later in the year and relisted in 2012 for $6.8 million. From the listing by Bob Bennion and Mary Snyder, Windermere “Recently refurbished estate property on 2.96 acres with lovely grounds, 175ft no-bank waterfront, and lake and mountain views. Stately 1934 Colonial designed by Edwin Ivey offers gracious interiors with exquisite millwork and hardwood floors. Entry with curved staircase; library; study; granite kitchen; paneled family room; officesuite; 5 bdr and 7+ bth, including gorgeous master suite & waterfront guesthouse; 3 fireplaces. Sweeping lawns, mature plantings; dock; 4-car garage.” The sellers were David R. and April Humphrey, the founders of Seattle based ILD Global. The buyers were Tso Ling and Shiang Wen Su. Tso Ling Su is the owner of Bellevue based Su Development, an apartment building developer. This 7,400 sq ft mansion was built in 1934 in Seattle’s Madison Park and cut in three pieces and barged to Mercer Island in the 1940s. An article about the mansion and this sale are in a 4/5/13 Seattle Mansions Blog.

This mansion was listed in early 2012 when it was under construction at $5.8 million and later in the year lowered to $5.5 million. It is currently listed for $6 million by Alex Jobe, Keller Williams: “Not a single detail was overlooked as this new construction 6,279 sf home boasts timeless craftsman flair on a very prvt fncd lot w/stunning views of Lk Wash & Mt Rainier. Entertainer's floor plan unfolds w/5 bdrms, 8 baths, gourmet kitchen, great rm, formal dining rm, library & media rm. Wine closet with 175-bottle capacity. Luxurious master suite. Library has wet bar & flr-to-clng cherry cab's. Entire home is pre-wired for sound sys. Covered patio w/radiant heat. 122-foot dock. 3 car garage.” The property is owned by Ferncroft LLC whose manager is Frederic Weiss, CEO of The Weiss Company, a commercial real estate developer. The home is 6,279 sq ft on 0.38 acres with 114 feet of waterfront.

Mansions continue with Newport Shores - Mansions.

(Post revised 4/7/13)