Mercer Island East Channel Mansions – Index – Ferry, Rosa, Devenuti, Lewis, Blethen, Onetto, Humphrey, 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 North

Mercer Island East Channel South – Mansions (click to go to)

North to South

Newport Shores - Mansions (click to go to)

Southeast to Northwest

Mercer Island East Channel North - Mansions (click to go to)

The index for the tour of Lake Washington Map of the Stars^® Mansions continues with Simonyi, Myhrvold, Brotman, Obama, McCaw – Mansions Medina South – Bellevue West – Index (click to go to)
Page Numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes

Madison Park Waterfront Mansions

Schultz, Reed, Diamond, Alvord et al.

The 23 story Washington Park Tower is our landmark. The building has 53 condominiums and was built in 1969. This is the highest residential building on Lake Washington. It is very unlikely any more lake-front buildings close to this height will be built in the future because of zoning regulations. The residents enjoy incredible views. The three upper floors have two 2,200 sq ft, two bedroom units on each floor. The estimated value of each of these units is $2.2 million.

This mansion was featured in a Seattle Mansions 4/19/10 post. The listing price was $12.8 million. The home was purchased by Frederick Beau Gould and Julie Pigott Gould. Frederick is a Seattle attorney. Julie is active in numerous local charities with other members of the Pigott families. The former owners, Jack and Carol Briggs, were also active in charities and the home was featured as a wonderful site for many fund raisers. The home has a pool, two kitchens and three fireplaces. From the Ewing & Clark listing: “The home is wonderful for entertaining inside and outside. Inside there are large entertainment rooms with French craftsmen detailing. The outside features the pool, beautiful, well-maintained landscaping, sculptures and fountains.” The mansion has 7,470 sq ft of living space on 0.7 acres with 135 feet of waterfront.

This is the mansion of Howard D. and Sheri Schultz. Howard, his $21.7 million 2010 pay-package and the mansion were featured in a 11/3/11 Seattle Mansions post. Howard is the Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Starbucks. The first Starbucks roasted and sold coffee beans and opened its first store in 1971. In 1985 Howard founded a new coffee and espresso company which, in 1987, acquired the original Starbucks’ assets and its name. Starbucks now has more than 15,000 stores throughout the world with $10 billion in annual sales. Howard was the lead investor of a group that purchased the Seattle SuperSonics of the NBA from Barry Ackerley in 2001 (4/15/12 Seattle Mansions post). Howard’s group sold the team to Oklahoma City in 2008. The mansion and the one in the previous paragraph are in an exclusive gated community of nine homes that are on the property of the Reed Estate. (More information on the Reed Estate and Gary Reed is in the next paragraph.) Howard drives through the Estate’s gate and then another gate to his property. His mansion and property, with 16,880 sq ft on 1.8 acres with 248 ft of waterfront, are the largest in the Estate's community.

William G. “Gary” Jr. and Victoria Reed moved from their Medina home (LW 130 Homes page 100) in 2009 to this mansion. The Reeds and their mansions were featured in two 10/1/10 Seattle Mansions posts. This first post features his former Medina mansion that he sold for $22 million and the second post features this mansion. The new mansion has 7,700 sq ft on 0.7 acres with 60 feet of waterfront. The 8 acre Reed Estate where Howard Schultz lives (see previous paragraph) is where Gary grew up. It was established in the early 1900s by his 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 Seattle Times labeled Gary “the most powerful Seattle business leader you’ve likely never heard of.” He is or has been on the Boards of Microsoft, Paccar, Safeco, The Seattle Times Company and Washington Mutual. Mark Edward Reed who joined Simpson Logging in 1897 was named president after the company’s founder, Sol Simpson, died in 1906. The Reed family bought out the Simpson family and the company is now one of the largest private, family owned companies in the state. It is now Tacoma-based Simpson Investment Company. Gary served as Chairman from 1971 to 1996. Gary’s nephew, Colin Moseley, who lives in the neighboring Reed Estate, is now Chairman and the fourth generation of Reed/Moseley family management.

$6.7 Million Sale 10/16/10. The mansion was listed for $7.9 million by Wendy Lister, CBBain. From the listing: “Beverly Hills glamour at waters edge. A curving wall of glass captures the constant change of reflections of water and sky ~ every turn an adventure of extravagance used with great restraint. Exquisite details with powerful moments of drama. Lavish master suite ~ his and her salons. French doors in the guest house cabana open to the black bottom free form pool. Significant entree for strong art collectors. 120' frontage. Brilliant azure lake hues...Bellevue city skyscape...Cascade mountains.” The sellers (the home was custom built for the family) were Joel and Julie Diamond. Joel is Chairman and CEO of Diamond Parking and is the son of Josef Diamond who was known in Seattle as the father of self-serve parking lots. Diamond Parking, founded in 1922 by the Diamond family, is the world’s oldest parking company and operates over 1,000 locations throughout the western United States. The purchasers were Ellsworth C. and Eve Alvord. Ellsworth is with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in their Seattle office. The Seattle Center Eve Alvord Theater is named after her. The Alvord family members are well known Seattle area philanthropists. The mansion is on page 23 and is 6,420 sq ft on 0.4 acres with 120 feet of waterfront. Ellsworth and Eve Alvord also own the mansion on LW 130 Homes page 26 that is about 0.2 miles south of here and three properties south of The Seattle Tennis Club.

The Seattle Tennis Club is just south of Madison Park in Denny-Blaine. The Seattle Tennis Club was founded a few blocks north of its present site as the Olympic Tennis Club in 1890. The name was changed to Seattle Tennis Club in 1896 and it moved to its current site in 1919. An $11.5 million renovation was completed in 1999. The club sits on 8 acres and offers its 3,000-plus members 19 tennis courts (including 6 indoor hard and 3 outdoor clay courts), a fitness center, squash courts, locker rooms, several dining rooms, banquet facilities, pool, beach, boathouse and pro shop. The club is popular for society wedding receptions. A non-equity membership is about $20,000 and monthly dues are about $250 plus a $100 per month dining minimum. There is a waiting list for memberships. Many members are the fourth generation of family members. This is the most expensive and prestigious tennis club in the PNW.

The tour of Seattle’s Emerald Coast waterfront mansions continues with north Denny-Blaine, south Denny-Blaine and Madrona posts.

Mercer Island Southwest - Mansions

North to South

This is the home of Marty and Sharon Lott. A major expansion of this Mercer Island home was completed over the last three years. It now has a total of 12,310 sq ft. The property is 1.8 acres with 150 feet of waterfront. The Advertising Specialty Institute^® named Marty Lott “2011 Person of the Year.” He and this home were featured in a 2/22/12 Seattle Mansions post. Marty is the founder and president of Issaquah based SanMar. The company is a leading supplier of apparel and accessories. The company is an award-winning supplier of 14 retail, private label and mill brands. It supplies apparel and accessories to screen printers, embroiderers, promotional products distributors, athletic dealers, industrial launderers, etc. SanMar is the exclusive distributor of Nike Golf, OGIO®, New Era® and other name brands.

This mansion is a 2012 listing for $7.3. From the listing by Tere and David Foster, Windermere “A timeless Northwest waterfront retreat by Reid Morgan on Mercer Island. Sited on 118 ft of Lake Washington waterfront, soaring ceilings & walls of windows frame views. Warm beams anchor clean lines. Careful lighting accentuates your finest art collection. Over 6000 sq ft of open spaces. Watch the sun set from your own private deck off the master suite. Spend summers on the lakeside patio featuring a spa & gentle steps to the water. Expansive lawns. Private dock. Your own luxurious escape.” The property is 0.5 acres. It is owned by Walter E. Schoenfeld. He is the former CEO of Seattle based Vans Inc. He also a former General Partner and Owner of the Seattle Mariners and was a Director and Vice President of the Seattle SuperSonics. This property is adjacent to (north of) the former home of Michael Chang on page 66 and the next paragraph.

This is the former home of Hall of Fame tennis star Michael Chang. He holds the record for the youngest male to win a Grand Slam singles tennis tournament. He was seventeen in 1989 when he won the French Open. He sold this mansion in 2008 for $10 million to Stephen S. and Christina Bezos Poore. Christina is Jeff Bezos’ (Amazon Founder’s) sister. Steve and Christina are directors of the Bezos Family Foundation. The Foundation was established by Jeff and Christina’s parents, Jackie and Mike Bezos. The Foundation strongly supports youth-education and health-care programs. Steve has also been active as a donor and board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County and Mercer Island. The mansion has 6,620 sq ft of living area on 0.73 acres with 237 feet of waterfront and on page 66 in LW 130 Homes.

A major expansion of this home was completed over the last three years. It now has a total of 7,370 sq ft. The property is 1.6 acres with 169 feet of waterfront. The home is owned by Paul Maritz. He was with Microsoft from 1986 to 2000. His last position was executive vice president of the Platforms Strategy and Developer Group. He was part of the 5-person executive management team and, according to Wikipedia, was the third-ranking executive behind Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. He was responsible for most of Microsoft's desktop and server software, including Windows and Internet Explorer. He is now CEO of Silicon Valley based VMware Corporation and was the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2011 Executive of the Year. More information is in a 2/21/12 Seattle Mansions post.

This is the former home of Mike and Kathy Holmgren. They sold the home in 2008 for $3.7 million to Frank C. and Eileen Ellefsen. Mike was head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008. During his reign the Seahawks had 86 wins and 74 losses, 5 division championships and one NFC championship, losing to Pittsburg in Super Bowl XL. He was formerly the head coach of the Green Bay Packers and led them to the Super Bowl championship in 1997. Frank is a co-owner (with Dave Wells) of Puget Sound based Island Tug and Barge. The company, with 13 vessels, is a leader in PNW ship towing, vessel assist and marine construction support. In early 2013 the Ellefsens moved to Mercer Island East Channel (LWC post) and listed this home for $3.9 million. The listing agent is Joan Bayley, Winderemere: “Resort style living! 96 ft of western lowbank wtrfrnt w/a sprawling beach area, newly built yachtsman's dock, fabulous outdoor BBQ space, salt water spa, waterside cabana & a lake level kitchenette perfect for entertaining. State of the art commercial grade ktchn. Dreamy main floor master. Spacious living/dining/family/bonus rms. Detached 2 bdrm guest house. Heated shop w/1/2 bth. Sauna. Solar shades/radiant heat. Gorgeous park-like grounds. Plans ready for permit available for additional level.” This home has 3,670 sq ft on 1.40 acres with 96 feet of waterfront and is on page 67 in LW 130 Homes.

(Updated 4/20/13)

Page numbers refer to Lake Washington 130 Homes

Click on Paul Allen for his compound to the north.

Click on Mercer Island West – Central - Mansions for more mansions to the north.

Click on Mercer Island East Channel South - Mansions for mansions to the east.

Mercer Island East Channel North - Mansions

South to North

This mansion was sold March 2013 for $5.7 million. It was listed for $6.3 million by Joan Bayley, Winderemere “At last the estate you've been looking for has just been completed! Huge flat lawn w/ sandy beach access,1+acre w/ 150 ft of sparkling wtfrnt. The significant stone & shingled exterior, boxed beamed ceilings, oversized moldings & rustic wood accents exude an old world elegance of an era gone by. Wide open great room concept. Professionally proportioned kitchen & butlers pantry. Entertainers deck w/ built-in firepit. Wood paneled den, theater rm, wine cellar. Large dock w/ 3 boat slips & lift.” The home is 6,338 sq ft on 1.0 acres with 150 feet of waterfront. It was sold by Kurt Dammier, the builder. It was purchased by Frank C. and Eileen Ellefsen who also own the former home of Mike and Kathy Holmgren on West Mercer (MI-SW Homes). Frank is a co-owner (with Dave Wells) of Puget Sound based Island Tug and Barge. The company, with 13 vessels, is a leader in PNW ship towing, vessel assist and marine construction support.

This is the former home of basketball star Rashard Lewis. He started his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1998 and was one of their stars through the 2006-07 season. The home was sold 10/16/09 for $3.4 million. The mansion is 7,000 sq ft on 0.4 acres with 85 ft of waterfront.

This is the home of Frank A. Jr. and Charlene Blethen. Frank is the Publisher and CEO of The Seattle Times. Frank’s great grandfather, Alden J. Blethen, founded The Seattle Times in 1896 and Frank is the fourth generation of family leadership. Frank became Publisher in 1985. Frank’s son, Ryan Blethen, is Director of New Product Strategies and Associate Publisher. Frank’s cousin’s, Robert C. Blethen’s, former mansion in the Bellevue Meydenbauer Bay East - Mansions post. The home is 3,900 sq ft on 0.6 acres with 112 ft of waterfront.

This is the home of Jeffrey I. and Judith Greenstein. Jeffrey was the Chief Executive of Quellos Group, a Seattle investment firm. In 2011 he and his partner, Charles Wilk, were each sentenced to four years and two months of prison. They were found guilty of recruiting wealthy clients to execute one the largest tax-evasion scams in U.S. history involving $240 million of evaded taxes in one year. A Seattle Mansions blog post has more information. The mansion is 9,150 sq ft on 1.0 acres with 100 feet of waterfront.

Mercer Island teardown – 2.4 acres with large covered dock

A north end Mercer Island property was listed at $7.0 million and sold in the same month (6/27/11) for $6.8 million. The listing (Kathy Beckes, CB Danforth) stated: “North End Mercer Island, 2.4 ACRES, 150' No Bank Waterfront, Mesmerizing views . . . your own soccer field. Build your dream home, tennis court & swimming pool. No limits here! One-of-a-kind!” The property and sale were featured in the in a Seattle Mansions 1/5/11 post. The purchaser was listed as On the Rock 98040 LLC and the seller was Cordell J. Almond. Mr. Almond is a CPA, partner in the Hersman Serles Almond accounting and consulting firm and principal for Seidman Private Securities, LLC. The property consists of two parcels and is one of the largest low-bank, buildable properties on Mercer Island. The manager listed within the LLC is Scott Gibson. A Scott Gibson, along with other members of his family were the owners of Fatigue Technology, a former Tukwila based aerospace company.

This mansion is listed for $8 million by Scott Richards, Windermere. (No Realtor comments are currently included in the listing.) The mansion is 7,100 sq ft on 0.5 acres with 100 feet of waterfront. It is owned by James B. and Victoria V. Corcoran. He is CEO of UK based SAV Credit Limited. He was President of Retail Banking for Seattle based Washington Mutual from 2006 to mid 2008. The Corcorans purchased the property in 2007 for $6.7 million.

This is the home of Richard G. and Leslie West. Richard was Chairman and Managing Director of Seattle based Cruise West. The company was founded by this family in 1973 and specialized in small ship “up close, casual and personal” cruises. The line started with Alaska cruises and had expanded to numerous oceans, seas and rivers with nine 52 to 102 passenger ships. It went bankrupt in 2010. At the time it was the largest American-owned cruise line. The mansion is 9,670 sq ft on 0.64 acres with 100 feet of waterfront.

This mansion was listed for $5.3 million in 2012 and was lowered to $5.1 million in January 2013. It is also offered for $4.3 million without the 0.35 acre lot behind it. It is listed by Tere and David Foster, Windermere: “NORTH END Waterfront. Resting gently on a level lot w/ sandy beach & deep water moorage, this home offers expansive spaces w/ carefully crafted timeless details. Sunlight showers every space as you enjoy views of Lake Washington and the Bay. Entertaining is effortless in the dream kitchen with Dacor appliances, slab granite. A hand honed Oak staircase guides you to the upper level to the luxurious master suite. Includes additional lot with sport court behind home.” The property is owned by Robin Melin, the former wife of David W. Melin. The home is 4,850 sq ft on 0.7 acres and shares 100 feet of waterfront and a dock for three boats with the the property behind it.

This property was listed at $6.4 million in 2012. It is listed by Jennifer Ruud-Johnson, Re/Max: “Mezmerizing Elegance meets the edge of a private cove offering 100ft of lakefrontage. Summertime fun found on flat green lawns & private 150ft dock can host lge yacht. 1/2 acre+ manicured grounds boast privacy from all sides, boat-lift for your run-about, pool, hot-tub, luxury & class. Vast views to Meydenbauer & Bellevue-skyline. Exacting details, European chandeliers, French-flare, main flr master draws in picturesque views. Soaring ceilings, radiant heat, extensive parking. Truly a stunning property!” The property is owned by Douglas F. and Joan M. Ruud. Douglas is a Seattle based attorney. The mansion is 5,700 sq ft on 0.56 acres with 100 ft of waterfront.

(Updated 4/9/13)

Click on Bellevue Meydenbauer Bay East - Mansions for mansions to the northeast.

Click on Newport Shores - Mansions for mansions to the southeast.

Click on Mercer Island East Channel South - Mansions for mansions to the south.