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

Cruising Seattle’s Lake Washington Emerald Coast

The northeast shoreline of Seattle on Lake Washington is known as the Emerald Coast of Seattle, the Emerald City. Seattle’s Lake Washington Emerald Coast neighborhoods are Madison Park, Harrison/Denny Blaine (commonly just “Denny-Blaine”) and Madrona. The Madison Park neighborhood includes the Seattle LW waterfront from the SR-520 Bridge to the north edge of the Seattle Tennis Club (p25 LW 130 Homes). Denny-Blaine is to the immediate south and includes the Seattle Tennis Club and the waterfront past the McCaw mansion on p38 of LW 130 Homes. Madrona is the next waterfront to the south. It includes Rob Glaser’s 3 lots and 2 mansions and the last (southern most) Seattle mansion in the book. That mansion belongs to Peter Rose and is on p40 of LW 130 Homes.

These are the prime Seattle neighborhoods. Before the floating bridges were built this was the area for the mansions of Seattle’s movers and shakers. Now the area is a diverse mix of old and new money along with some medium priced housing. There are many fantastic mansions, in addition to the shoreline, on the hills and surrounding the Broadmoor Golf Club. The Golf Club was founded in 1924 and overlooks Union Bay. The gated entrance to the Broadmoor Club and community is less than one mile from Madison Park’s waterfront park.

Madison Park (The Park)

Downtown Madison Park is one block inland

Madison Park pier/dock

Judge John J. McGilvra was the pioneer-founder of the Madison Park area in the 1860s when he acquired 420 acres in this area. A street is named after him. McGilvra built a road through forest from Seattle to his property and named it Madison Street after President James Madison. McGilvra set aside 24 acres for a public park at the end of Madison Street. The neighborhood was the home of “Madison Park” and assumed the same name.The Madison Park commercial district starts one block inland and covers about ten square blocks. It is an eclectic community of about 60 businesses including restaurants and coffee shops with sidewalk patio seating and various independently owned shops.

Reed Estate (left) and Washington Park Tower (right)

The 23 story Washington Park Tower is our landmark. It and the adjacent condos are to the immediate south of Madison Park (The Park). Washington Park Tower has 53 condominiums and was built in 1969. This is the highest residential building on Lake Washington.

At the Washington Park Tower Dock

The five waterfront homes south of here are in an exclusive gated community of nine homes. This is the 8 acre Reed Estate where Howard Schultz lives and where Gary Reed grew up. It was established in the early 1900s by Gary’s grandfather, Mark Edward Reed. It was that era’s version of the current Gates and Allen estates. It was subdivided in the 1940s into a private gated community of nine homes. The only homes here of the 1940s era are on LW 130 Homes pages 20 and 22. When the property was subdivided one of the mansions was cut into 3 pieces and barged to Mercer Island. It is the house on page 72 of LW 130 Homes and in the 2/16/12 post. The mansions (Schultz, Reed, Diamond, Alvord et al.) on Madison Park’s waterfront are featured in the 4/22/12 post.

Entrance gate to the Reed Estate nine home community

Mansion on Mercer Island that was barged from the Reed Estate

Denny-Blaine Waterfront with the Seattle Tennis Club in the foreground

Viewing Denny-Blaine in the spring

Denny-Blaine and Madrona have many fabulous old mansions with gorgeous grounds on the waterfront and on the hills above. Plus there are many newer modern mansions. The mansions (Ackerley, Horowitz, Ragen, Keister, Chesnut, Moll et al.) on north Denny Blaine’s waterfront are featured in the 4/20/12 post. The mansions (McCaw, Kurt Cobain, Blume, Robbins et al.) on south Denny Blaine’s waterfront are featured in the 4/19/12 post. The mansions (Glaser – Rose et al.) on Madrona’s waterfront are featured in the 4/14/12 post.

View from Denny-Blaine looking east

Rob Glasers Madrona 3 lot and 2 mansions compound

Where President Obama had lunch in 2010

(see Seattle Mansions 9/27/10 post)

(This is the third chapter [go to next chapter “Cruising NW Mercer Island”] of our “Lake Washington Cruising” series. 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. You can read and print an abbreviated pdf version of the entire series.)

Mercer Island West – Central - Mansions

North to South

“The Boulevard Place Mansion” sold 11/21/12 for $13.3 million. This property was featured in Seattle Mansions posts on 4/15/12, 8/31/11 and 10/21/10. It was listed for sale at $28.8 million in 2010, lowered to $19 million in 2011 and an auction on 8/30/11 failed to attract the minimum bid of $15.5 million. The mansion was listed by Kris Robbs, Ewing & Clark, “Unique property takes advantage of 1.6 acre, street to Lake prize. Two-inch limestone floors extend from entry, spill down terrace around the in-ground pool & hot tub. Impressive 164' westside waterfront ready for speed boat, Seadoos & yacht. Soaring ceilings, balcony, warm wood office & leaded glass doors, with state-of-the-art theater & 9.1 surround. Two outdoor Viking BBQ complement gourmet kitchen. Escape to romantic master suite, spa bath with aroma/chroma therapy So many divine finishing details!” The living area is 13,636 sq ft. The sellers were David and Becky Sandwith and the buyer was a trust. David, his parents and siblings sold Kent based Mikron Industries, a manufacturer of high tech window components, for $205 million to Quanex Corporation in 2004.

This is the former home of Jim Zorn of the Seattle Seahawks. He had this home custom built and lived here while he was quarterbacking the team from 1976-1984. Locals call this the “gingerbread house.” He was the star quarterback for the expansion NFL Seattle Seahawks’ first seven seasons. During his Seahawk reign he teamed with Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent. Largent was the first inducted into the Seahawk “Ring of Honor” in 1989 and Zorn was the second in 1991. The property was purchased for $1.3 million in 1988 from Zorn by Dr. Richard T. and Kathleen Sutcliff. Dr. Sutcliff is a former Seattle eye surgeon and registered sex offender (Seattle Times 7/20/05). The mansion has 5,290 sq ft on 0.5 acres with 195 feet of waterfront.

This mansion was sold 10/24/11 for $6.1 million. It was listed for $6.8 million by Betsy Terry, Ewing & Clark: “Glorious 210 feet of prime no bank Lake Washington Shoreline w/ 200 degree western panorama also looks down &up lake. Gorgeous outlook onto Seward Park. 41000 sf [0.9 acres] lot. Large house [8,170 sq ft] 99% remodeled in 1982 is ready for your personal touches or a fantastic site. Grand rooms, fine floor plan, tall ceilings. Huge and luxurious Master suite. Swimming pool. Ample parking incl carport and garage. covered moorage. One of the most private and wonderful parcels on MI!.Poss. Seller financing!” This property was sold by Ka Hung Lau to Lepage Lake House LLC whose agent is listed as Matthew J. Lepage. He is the COB of Renton based American Fast Freight and Hawaiian Ocean Transport. The mansion was demolished June 2012.

This mansion was listed this week (early 2013) for $10.9 million by Wendy Lister and Kirsten Paulsen, CBBain: “A Vassos Demetriou Tour de Force. An unforgettable treasure of 178' of pristine waterfront on a coveted double lot with gated entry. A dramatic, yet elegant floor plan awaits you at this Contemporary Masterpiece that will impress the most sophisticated home aficionados. For the first time available on the market, this Custom home offers premium finish work & a symphony of entertaining spaces that embrace the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All 5 bedrooms are en suite. Yachts are welcome.” This property is owned by Jerry D. and Angelina Burtenshaw. Jerry is in charge of Alpine-Burtco, an international catering and concessions company and the concessionaire for Safeco Field (Mariners), the Tacoma Dome and the former Kingdome. The mansion is 9,790 sq ft on 0.9 acres with 178 feet of waterfront. More information is in a 4/19/13 Seattle Mansions post.

This mansion was listed at $5.3 million in 2011, lowered to $4.9 million in 2012 and $4.4 million in early 2013. It is listed by Larry Williams, John L Scott. From the listing: “The centerpiece of Mercer Island's Forest Avenue, the premiere waterfront on the West side. Spectacular finish level. Exacting standards. A focus on longevity. Design balances entertainment, casual living. Four large bedrooms, spacious master suite, paneled retreat den. Bar, game room and spa. Expansive dock. Server room provides unlimited security, audio, video, communications flexibility. Equally impressive power management. Radiant heat, air conditioned. Elevator. The Villa on Forest.” The mansion has 7,090 sq ft on .6 acres with 74 feet of waterfront. The property is owned by N. Bert Loosmore. He was a Co-founder (in 1993 while an engineering student at Stanford) of NJ based I.D. Systems. The international company provides vehicle management and tracking systems. He is an ecology and environmental management professor at Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

The listing price was reduced in early 2012 from $5.0 million to $4.8 million and taken off the market in late 2012. This property, with 4.25 acres, is the second largest (to Paul Allen) waterfront estate on Mercer Island. It has 181 feet of waterfront and three buildings with 4,620 sq ft. The home was listed by Kris Robbs & Jane Powers, Ewing & Clark: “Majestic forested retreat is largest privately held property on MI complete w/181 ft of no-bank, west facing wft & dock. The tranquil setting with views of Seattle & Seward Park, is a refuge from City life and a return to Old MI. Water fowl, eagles, and marine activity, rolling lawn and well tended gardens frame the property. Owner will act as steward for this special property which includes a pioneer cottage and renovated caboose! Architecturally Significant home worthy of remodel. A Sanctuary!” The property is owned by Barbara L. Davidson.

This modern mansion is owned by Joseph and Judy Schocken and is 5,400 sq ft on 0.87 acres with 200 feet of waterfront and a private beach. President Obama selected Joseph Schocken from Mercer Island as an advisor for the Administration’s JOBS Act signed into law in April 2012 (5/24/12 Seattle Mansions post). Schocken attended the Rose Garden bill-signing ceremony. Joseph is considered to be one of the Democratic Party elite. He and his wife, Judy, have raised millions of dollars for the Democratic Party. This includes fundraisers at their beautiful Mercer Island waterfront mansion. They have personally donated close to a million dollars over the years. They have spent weekends on Nantucket with John and Teresa Heinz Kerry. He is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and attends dinners with the Committee’s high-level National Advisory Board. Joseph is president and founder (1987) of Broadmark Capital, LLC, a prominent Seattle investment bank.

(Updated 4/20/13)

Page numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes

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

Click on Paul Allen for his compound to the south.

Click on Mercer Island Southwest - Mansions for more mansions to the south.

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)