Alki’s Friedlander Court apartments up for sale for $3.8 million

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
A brand-new multi-million-dollar listing on Alki – the 87-year-old Friedlander Court courtyard apartments at 2246 Alki SW (map). The nine-unit complex on a 15,000-square-foot lot has just gone up for sale, listing price $3.8 million. County records say they were built in 1926 and have been under current ownership since 1996, with a purchase price reported as $850,000 that year. The new listing describes the property: “Classic brick 9-unit w/ big units and 5 garages provide immediate income to offset holding costs for future development. Zoning allows 20-unit apartment building or 10 townhomes with unobstructed views of Puget Sound and Olympics.” While the complex has never gone through historic review that we know of, it was held up as a notable example of “Bungalow Court” architecture five years ago when Charlestown Court was being reviewed; The now-dormant Vintage Seattle website took a closeup look at Friedlander Court a year later. (Thanks to Jonathan French for the tip.)

S February 28, 2013 (10:17 am)

Can you say big building coming soon.

sacatosh February 28, 2013 (10:33 am)

I really hope this one’s left intact nd not torn down. It’s such a beautiful little property and a perfect example of the charm of West Seattle.

Morgan February 28, 2013 (10:36 am)

I have wanted to own this building since the first time I saw it, just don’t have that kind of cash laying around : (

Elizabeth February 28, 2013 (10:40 am)

The Vintage Seattle Facebook page is active, and they post great photos on a regular basis!

https://www.facebook.com/VintageSeattle?fref=ts

WSB February 28, 2013 (10:42 am)

Not the same people. I already made that mistaken assumption a week or two back and they corrected me. But yes, that FB page has been sharing some cool photos. – TR

Mike February 28, 2013 (11:39 am)

It will be a shame to lose this beautiful structure to a soul-less box.

emcat8 February 28, 2013 (12:00 pm)

Great. So they’re basically encouraging some developer ass**** to buy this and tear it down for a big box. Fabulous. I wish I believed in an afterlife that these people could rot in.

Alki Resident February 28, 2013 (12:06 pm)

Did the elderly lady who owned it pass away? She was such a nice woman.

lox February 28, 2013 (12:06 pm)

I hope someone saves this place.

Spana February 28, 2013 (12:38 pm)

I have been obsessed with that building since I was kid. And then obsessed again when I imagined it could be like my own Melrose Place. And THEN just LITERALLY this weekend I was fantasizing about winning the lottery and buying it and turning it into my own private residence. I hope no one tears it down – it is so DARN CUTE

Christine February 28, 2013 (12:49 pm)

Spana, did you get your lottery ticket yet? You should do it and film your very own Friedlander Court.

Diane February 28, 2013 (1:01 pm)

ironically, the Alki Shoremont Apartments, called ”doomed building” and “called out in the comments for being an ordinary 1920′s “clone.”, when Vintage Seattle posted this story in 2009, has since been saved, and beautifully restored; unlikely the Friedlander Court can be saved, with a nearly $4 million price tag; boo
~
unless, some wonderful hero might emerge (like at the Shoremont) and follow the last plans of Charlestown Court, to raise the current apts to top of new residential building, instead of razing it all to build new who-knows-what?

G February 28, 2013 (1:20 pm)

Growing up in West Seattle, this place is a postcard in my mind. How many countless times as a kid did I ride my bike past this building in the summer. But, alas, life is not a snowglobe where nothing changes. Hopefully, though, it can be saved.

C February 28, 2013 (1:49 pm)

You know what’s scary?? I live in this building and had NO IDEA that our (rental) home was up for sale. Shouldn’t the people who live here be notified of the sale?

Carol O. February 28, 2013 (2:13 pm)

Welcome to 2013 and beyond. The future looms.

Mary February 28, 2013 (2:14 pm)

Like others here, I’ve always dreamed of owning this property, living on the beach, dreaming the bungalow dream. Alas, no mountain of cash.

K February 28, 2013 (2:32 pm)

My very first apartment was at the Friedlander, a “1 bedroom” (the bedroom was lacking a window and closet). The building is quite charming, it would be such a shame to see it torn down. That said there were some major plumbing and maintenance issues that weren’t being addressed when I lived there, I can’t imagine restoration would be cheap. I now live in the restored Shoremont building down the road, it would be awesome if whoever purchases the property is able to restore the Friedlander like the Shoremont was!

Diane February 28, 2013 (2:54 pm)

so sorry to hear C
~
this topic has come up before, with wsblog stories of apt buildings for sale, and tenants not informed; I agree, it is wrong
~
this could also happen to me; I’m in an old apt bldg, with gorgeous downtown views; if I owned the property, might very well be tempted to sell; though I do know that owner here lives quite well off of our rent

Alki Resident February 28, 2013 (2:54 pm)

I hope this can be kept as a landmark somehow. it’s unique and old. So may people have lived here on Alki and this place stands out. The waterfall in the middle of the court freezes in the winter cold months and looks amazing. People would stop and take pics of it. If condos go up it will kill the view for the people directly behind in the alley. It’ll be a sad day if it gets torn down.
@ C- is the owner/ landlady still around or has she passed?

Diane February 28, 2013 (2:58 pm)

agree K, it would be nice; except that the savior of the Shoremont was able to buy it dirt cheap, during recession, bank-owned; and the Friedlander seller wants almost $4 million

T-Rex February 28, 2013 (3:09 pm)

NO!!! This place is a landmark in West Seattle, so sad if they tear it down.

smokeycretin9 February 28, 2013 (3:40 pm)

It should say the land is for sale. take pics while you can.

gina February 28, 2013 (6:13 pm)

You should see the 1 million dollar plus house for sale on the corner of 45th and Admiral.

patrick February 28, 2013 (8:18 pm)

Can I get some Whine?

Ray West March 1, 2013 (4:19 am)

I can’t imagine anyone would buy this apartment building for almost 4 million dollars and then run it as a rental property in its current form. It will most likely be torn down for yet another hideous condo. How sad. It’s architecture like this that gives Alki its unique charm and homey atmosphere and it’s being lost at an accelerating rate. It’s happening all over West Seattle. I don’t even recognize my own neighborhood anymore.

Why not sell the individual units as condos? The owner could still make a hefty profit and save the building at the same time.

Alki Area March 1, 2013 (7:33 am)

Sad to hear, that was one of the cutest buildings on Alki. I’m sure it will become a condo building. Economics and all. That land is some of the most valuable in Seattle. If you are “allowed” to build 3, 4, or 5 stories up (each with 2 or 3 condos) why wouldn’t someone? Free market economics demands it. Just like it doesn’t make “sense” anymore to build a 1 story log cabin downtown Seattle anymore instead of a 40 story building given the land prices, no one will buy a $4 million property to build a 1 story cute circa 20s brick building. Just not worth it.

markinthedark March 1, 2013 (8:34 am)

A buyer keeping it as a rental at that price would need to average about $2,700/month/unit to make it work. No way that’s going to happen.

Bob Roberts March 1, 2013 (11:07 am)

Don’t blame the owner, take a look at the property tax records; $34,286 in taxes for 2013 (and the building is valued at $1,000); the county wants more condos (aka taxes).
The tax hit for these 9 apartments is about double the standard apartment tax ratio in Seattle.

WSB March 1, 2013 (12:03 pm)

Bob has an important point. At a recent Design Review meeting for a Junction project, a representative for a local service club mentioned that they are paying huge taxes on their property because it’s being taxed for its perceived value under its ultimate zoning, not for what it’s being used as. While the buildings may only be worth X, the land’s value keeps going up. – TR

Sillygoose March 1, 2013 (1:37 pm)

Oh no I certainly hope this property stays in tact I have always loved this little place. Fingers crossed some developer doesn’t buy it and build another eye sore!

howty March 1, 2013 (1:37 pm)

a nice tasteful modern 3 story would look nice there.

Noelle March 1, 2013 (10:34 pm)

3.8 wow

Icy ice March 1, 2013 (10:39 pm)

A nice tasty ice rink would look even better there — then we could finally drop the puck to a view.

Amrakx March 2, 2013 (1:43 pm)

Perhaps, if indeed it is converted to a condominium project, they will look at the Alexander Court Condominiums at 2920 Alki Ave SW for reference. By retaining the historical structure as the foundation and building functional space from within, it would serve as a more cost efficient use of the space and at the same time respect the historical significance and period architecture of the building. 2 cents.