Area: Denny Blaine
Address: 260 39th Ave E View local map
NWMLS: 29064571
List Price: $5,250,000
Status: Available
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 5.25
Heat: Gas, Electric
Taxes: 2009 - $57,975
Year Built: 1922
Square Feet: 9,970 per King County Records
Lot Size: 33,936 per King County Records

Built in 1922, this distinguished home is one of the city's most beautiful grande dames. It was designed by Seattle architect Sherwood Ford, remembered especially for his design of the Washington Athletic Club. Ford oriented the house so that it would enjoy an unusual sense of privacy and take full advantage of spectacular views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains from its hillside perch above Lake Washington Blvd. An extensive renovation in the early 1990's revived and updated the home, while preserving all of the original architectural details including 1¾" thick paneled doors, pedestal sinks, original tile, hardwood floors and fine crafted woodwork throughout. A 1,200-sq-ft library addition and other aspects of the remodel blend seamlessly with the original house.

Brick pillars mark the entry to a semi-circular cobbled courtyard in front of a stately English style house with stucco walls and a steeply pitched, green slate roof with four chimneys. The roof, original to the house, is punctuated by a center gable and several dormer windows. A Georgian door surround with columns and a flat pediment provides an impressive front entry.

An entrance hall with a black-and-white marble tile floor and walk in coat closet, introduces a wide center hall with a magnificent split staircase. French doors flanked by sidelights open to a brick terrace looking out on a lovely back lawn with reflecting/lap pool, and lake and mountain vistas. More French doors open on either side to formal living and dining rooms, each with a wall of floor-to-ceiling, double-hung true paned windows with original glass framing the glorious eastern views. The living room has a western wall of windows as well. The hall and formal rooms are graced with hardwood floors and exquisite millwork, including crown molding and wainscot walls. A hallway off the front entry offers an exquisite powder room with silk Chinese wall covering and marble counter top.

The formal dining room has a wood-burning fireplace and a magnificent crystal chandelier, original to the house. An adjoining, octagonal-shaped breakfast room with sweeping views retains its original cabinetry and distinctive architectural detailing.

The living room has an elegant wood-burning fireplace and two sets of doors opening into an adjoining sunroom with built-in bookshelves, a wood-burning fireplace, and a stunning azure mosaic tile floor. Two walls of windows afford a pleasing verdant aspect of mature trees and shrubbery that surround the house.

The sunroom opens onto the dramatic two-story, 2,500-volume library. This spectacular space has a vaulted ceiling, a spiral staircase to its upper level, and a triple-height bay window with lake and mountain views. The casework and cabinetry were built on site with exceptional craftsmanship from rift-cut white oak. Built-ins include a computer desk, credenza file drawers and a special drawer cabinet for old maps. The library is also equipped with a wet bar including a mini refrigerator and large icemaker. Opposite the bar, French doors lead out to the terrace which extends along the entire length of the back side of the house, crowned by a pergola supported by classic columns. The south end of the pergola, was original to the house. The north end was painstakingly constructed in the early '90's to replicate the original. The area outside the library has a plexi-glass ceiling which allows it to be enjoyed even during "liquid sunshine".

The kitchen, updated during the 1990's renovation, has black granite counters, traditional raised panel cabinetry, and faux hardwood vinyl floors. Appliances include a Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator, Dacor 5-burner gas cook-top, GE double ovens and microwave, KitchenAid trash compactor, and two dishwashers -- one by KitchenAid, the other Maytag. The kitchen also has an informal dining area with a built-in desk and extensive silver storage cabinets lined with anti-tarnish fabric. The original butler's pantry has swinging door access to the dining room. Just off the kitchen is a laundry room with, a work sink, storage cupboards, and outdoor access to a latticed utility area. Half of the kitchen is a family room with a gas fireplace trimmed in tile and an elevator that connects the home's three levels. A hallway between the family room and front entry has back stairs to both the upper and lower levels and a side entrance.

A generous hallway with built-in bookshelves and a large walk-in linen closet is at the top of the grand entry staircase, and introduces the six bedrooms on the second level. Sleeping quarters are divided into two wings, with the family bedrooms on one end of the house and three smaller bedrooms, originally designated for servants, on the other. The 1990's renovation created an expansive master suite endowed with 'his and her' dressing areas and baths. The master bedroom has a gas fireplace with a verde marble surround and breathtaking lake and mountain views from its large bay window. 'Her' dressing area has a marble-topped vanity several large cupboards with drawers and an 82 square foot walk-in closet. The adjoining bath features a jetted tub, a glass-walled shower and a bidet. 'His' full bath retains its original tile and fixtures. Adjacent to it is a dressing area with original built-in cabinetry and a walk-in closet. It opens on to an exercise room furnished with a treadmill and a universal gym. Pocket doors open to the library's upper level.

A second smaller bedroom, shares the updated "hers' bath, while a third, large, bay windowed bedroom has its own full bath with original tile and fixtures. The three smaller bedrooms in the old servant's quarters are positioned in a back hallway sharing one bathroom with a large, glass-doored shower. All three have shuttered windows and carpeted floors. Also situated in the back hall is a small linen closet, and the entrance to the elevator. Stairs to the main level and the attic are off the hallway which joins the two bedroom areas. The old fashioned attic, which runs the full length of the house, offers abundant storage and great potential for additional finished living space.

The huge basement includes a finished rec room with hardwood floors, a vintage fireplace and a kitchen like wet bar, with full sized refrigerator and cabinetry. This large room easily accommodates the snooker table which is original to the house and will remain with it. Also located on the lower level are a guest bedroom with full bath, (originally the chauffer's quarters), a utility toilet (installed for the gardener) and a workshop with a built-in bench that has great potential as a wine cellar. There is a storage room, and two mechanical rooms, one for the pool pump and filtration system, and one for the brand new, state of the art, gas boiler which circulates hot water to the radiators on all three floors. This house is warm in winter and naturally cool in summer. A double fire door provides access to a heated, underground garage with its original glass and panel sliding doors, now automated, and the elevator which goes to the two upper floors. Just outside the garage is a cement storage room for gardening equipment.

This magnificent home sits on lovely, professionally landscaped grounds with mature plantings including vintage rose bushes and towering Rhododendrons. The eastern side of the house looks out upon a completely private setting with a level back lawn and pool bordered by a stucco wall with brick detailing. There are no neighboring homes in sight, The yard terminates in a steep bank leading down to Lake Washington Blvd fifty feet below which creates an open vista of treetops and expanses of water and mountains. The atmosphere is serene, reminiscent of a villa on Lake Como. The stars are visible on clear nights and residents can enjoy spectacular sun and moon rises. The home is located in the highly sought Denny Blaine neighborhood and is only minutes from the Seattle Tennis Club and the village-like amenities and restaurants of Madison Park where you can have a charge account at the local hardware store and the well stocked market. Madrona restaurants are equally close. Children could walk to the Bush School and it is a favored neighborhood for jogging and cycling or scenic walks.

If you're interested in this home, please email us at twobobs@seattlefineproperties.com .