Historic Seattle property up for sale
SEATTLE -- They are some of the most unique and historic structures in the region, and now the homes at Fort Lawton are up for sale.
The homes were built more than 100 years ago for officers and their families, and for the most part they have remained unchanged.
Children have lived in them, grown up and died, and now the Seattle landmarks on nine acres are up for sale.
"It's 14 buildings, 26 separate units of which Coast Guard people live in it now, and it's being converted into civilian use," said David Young of Jones, Lang & Lasalle.
The buildings offer a sweeping view of the Olympics, as well as Discovery Park to the front and the back.
German prisoners in World War II built the brick gutters, and the homes are equipped with wrap around porches. Those are just some of the details that come with the colonial revival style homes.
"This particular unit is a little over 2,600 square feet," said Seth Heikkila of Jones, Lang & Lasalle. "Off of many of the kitchens you'll actually see a butler's pantry."
If the buyer desires, the interiors can be altered and updated, but only to a point.
"With the historical landmark status, details down to the look and feel of the windows have to remain the same. There's very specific guidelines," Heikkila said.
Heikkila said Jones, Lang & Lasalle hasn't set an asking price.
"We literally don't have much of an idea what the pricing will be," Young said.
In the end, it will go to the highest bidder. No date has been set yet to take bids, but Young said that will probably take place in the next several months.
The homes were built more than 100 years ago for officers and their families, and for the most part they have remained unchanged.
Children have lived in them, grown up and died, and now the Seattle landmarks on nine acres are up for sale.
"It's 14 buildings, 26 separate units of which Coast Guard people live in it now, and it's being converted into civilian use," said David Young of Jones, Lang & Lasalle.
The buildings offer a sweeping view of the Olympics, as well as Discovery Park to the front and the back.
German prisoners in World War II built the brick gutters, and the homes are equipped with wrap around porches. Those are just some of the details that come with the colonial revival style homes.
"This particular unit is a little over 2,600 square feet," said Seth Heikkila of Jones, Lang & Lasalle. "Off of many of the kitchens you'll actually see a butler's pantry."
If the buyer desires, the interiors can be altered and updated, but only to a point.
"With the historical landmark status, details down to the look and feel of the windows have to remain the same. There's very specific guidelines," Heikkila said.
Heikkila said Jones, Lang & Lasalle hasn't set an asking price.
"We literally don't have much of an idea what the pricing will be," Young said.
In the end, it will go to the highest bidder. No date has been set yet to take bids, but Young said that will probably take place in the next several months.
Oh, I love these old homes! And the wrap-around porches. They just don't make 'em like they used to. All the nooks and crannies, the windows where you don't expect them (up stair ways). The funky roof lines. I go on the tour of homes in Everett and Snohomish when I can; I love it.
I want to buy one
Fort Lawton is no more. These homes are in the middle of Discovery Park, and have been since the park was established and opened in 1973. Open to the public 365 days a year, Discovery Park is the largest municipal park in Seattle. It was planned as, and is maintained as, a natural area, and nature preserve. These homes are in the Landmark Historical District in the park, which is on the National Historical Register. The story of how this publicly owned land and these historic homes wound up on the private real estate market is an interesting one, and it would be in the public interest if KOMO and the rest of the media had done a thorough investigation of that process and made clear to Seattlites what was afoot inside their park.
Beautiful homes to say the very least. My husband and I were in Ft. Lawton at the beginning of the summer and saw these homes. If it wasn't so far to work and if the radome allowed civilian use, my husband might be interested. Good luck to the home buyer for such a historic purchase!
To anyone who may be considering one of these houses, may I suggest reading the book "Images of America - Fort Lawton" by Jack W. Jaunal, (C) 2008 Arcadia Publishing. Lots of old pictures in that book too.
I want to live there!
Be ready to pay to heat a barn.
The radome is a necessary item - it's a currently used FAA radar and not going anywhere anytime soon. Â Also, the picture has been reversed. Â The view depicted is incorrect.
 @Concerned Commenter If the picture has been reversed then the street signs must normally read backwards.
 @nodozr  @Concerned Commenter Oops - my bad ... faulty memory!  Thank you, nodozr.
possible tent city location?
Can you microwave things by just setting them on the far side porch of the end house next to the radome? Â ;-)
 @My_Thoughts I always thought that was God's golfball