West Seattle history: Updates on two city-landmark houses

Updates on two of the three West Seattle residences that also happen to be city landmarks:

(WSB photo)

SATTERLEE HOUSE: The “Painted Lady” at 4866 Beach Drive SW has been on and off the market for years but finally has found a new owner. According to county records, it was sold in late July for $1,025,000. Some exterior work is under way, as you can see in our photo, taken last weekend; it was also an agenda item for the Landmarks Board last month, with approval sought for exterior-paint colors. The house’s history includes a tussle over a proposal to build three houses on its “front lawn,” denied by the city and taken by its former owner all the way to the State Supreme Court, as covered here 2008-2010. The lawn remains platted as separate lots, but no development proposals are pending.

HAINSWORTH/GORDON HOUSE: On the market for just under $2 million is the Hainsworth/Gordon House at 2657 37th SW.

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
County records show it has changed hands four times in the past ten years, most recently a foreclosure sale at the end of 2013. Read some of its history here.

TO SEE ALL THE CITY LANDMARKS IN WEST SEATTLE – explore this map.

Alki resident September 6, 2015 (2:51 pm)

What was the original listing price of the Satterlee house?

WSB September 6, 2015 (2:58 pm)

From keeping an eye on this house going back to the saga of the lots in front, I don’t think this “history” is complete, but fwiw, Redfin’s “property history” table says it relisted in March at $1,075,000: https://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/4866-Beach-Dr-SW-98116/home/11894772#property-history … In 2008, at one point, we noted it listed for $2.2 million: https://westseattleblog.com/2008/02/real-estate-updates-beach-drive-and-beyond/

flynlo September 6, 2015 (3:30 pm)

The county records link in your article connects to
the vacant lot that abuts Beach Drive and shows that
it did change hands, the link for the actual “Painted Lady” still shows as being in Conners name!

WSB September 6, 2015 (3:33 pm)

The site was sold as one. I don’t know why the records were filed on this particular parcel but in my research of real estate and land development, it’s fairly common for the records to be filed on one lot but encompassing all. I originally, before finding it attached to the front-lot address, was linking to the various real-estate listings that all showed the entire listing (4866 Beach Drive) sold in August. Such as the one in my comment above. (Added, also, the sale documents on record show the purchase as involving parcels 793600 (prefix) and suffixes 0235, 240, 245, 231, which are the three front lots plus the lot with the house.) – TR

Diane September 6, 2015 (3:54 pm)

the Hainsworth/Gordon House is just a few blocks from me; gorgeous on the outside; would love to see the inside

WS4life September 6, 2015 (4:46 pm)

Growing up in West Seattle I was fortunate enough to have known most of the family’s that lived and actually raised their families in these last remaining WS mansions. i.e. Villa Heidelberg, Satterlee house. It’s a shame that these grand Estates are not shared with the many via B&B or other means any longer.

Ann September 6, 2015 (7:28 pm)

I too would love to see the inside of The Hainsworth home. It’s beautiful and I love reading about it’s history! I’m guessing they won’t be having an open house?

WSB September 6, 2015 (7:42 pm)

You could certainly contact the listing agent to ask – far as I can tell, this is the property’s page on the site of the realtor who currently holds the listing:
.
http://www.windermere.com/listing/WA/Seattle/2657-37th-Ave-SW-98126/27450616

Steve September 7, 2015 (10:30 am)

We live a block from the Hainsworth house and in the early 90’s it was a B&B. Business took us out of town so we rented our house out. We came back for a week and stayed at the Hainsworth. It’s very beautiful inside and was really well kept up by the owners at the time. I guess you could say we were lucky to experience it.

Ann September 8, 2015 (10:16 pm)

Thanks WSB! However, I’ve tried twice now to contact the listing agent but he doesn’t respond. Once through Zillow but this last time I emailed him directly…no reply. 😐

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