That’s Tamea Duckworth, who not only is community sales manager for Sylvan Ridge Townhomes in West Seattle, she lives there too. We’re introducing you to her, because today we welcome Sylvan Ridge Townhomes as one of the newest WSB sponsors. And per WSB tradition, it’s their chance to let you know what they’re about: “Most Sylvan Ridge clients are in the 1st-time-homebuyers category, or moving up from a condo. People visiting Sylvan Ridge find our floor plans very unique because of the openness on the main floor. Our double-sided gas fireplaces with built-in bookshelves act as a room divider between the dining & living room. The upper-level master suite and second bedroom have vaulted ceilings for a spacious and airy feel. We are one of the few townhomes here in West Seattle that have two-car attached garages, and we are our own community, meaning we are in our own little cul-de-sac surrounded by trees, so it’s very quiet. All our homes have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room.” Tamea adds some information about her personal touch: “I have tried to be not just a friendly & informed sales agent here at Sylvan Ridge but, a good neighbor as well because I do actually live here, so I schedule window washing, dryer vent cleanout, got the community involved with the neighborhood-watch program. I am now working on our upcoming 2nd annual community picnic.”

This month at Sylvan Ridge Townhomes, a new phase with 10 more homes is scheduled to be ready. Our home of the week is priced at $299,950. We have other homes from $314,950 that qualify for our limited-time $8,000 buyer bonus. The Sylvan Ridge sales center and available homes are open Fridays through Tuesdays, 12 to 6 pm, at 2733 SW Sylvan Way, above the Home Depot and down the hill from the junction of 35th and Morgan. Tamea can also be reached by phone at (206) 933-6800 or tduckworth@matrixrealestate.com, and more information is available on our website at www.sylvan-ridge.com.

We thank Sylvan RIdge Townhomes for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

“Too often, our landmarks are big, grandiose houses,” observed one member of the city Landmarks Board just before their vote moments ago, unanimously agreeing to consider designating West Seattle’s far-from-grandiose “Bloss House” as a landmark. We wrote about it two and a half weeks ago, when the Southwest Seattle Historical Society (Log House Museum) shared the news that Historic Seattle would bring the 1915 North Admiral Craftsman bungalow (4055 SW Holgate) to the board. Most board members noted that its main attribute as a potential landmark is the fact that its interior is virtually unaltered from the original Craftsman-style details, as well as its exterior, so before they agree to officially designate it, they may decide they want the nomination to include its exterior as well – though that is not usually what’s done with private residences. The home’s owner was not able to be at the hearing because of health challenges but several people spoke in support of the nomination, one citing comments on the previous WSB story as evidence of community support. The board also had a full presentation on the nomination document (text here, photos here), which includes information about West Seattle history as well as this home in particular. Next step: June 2nd is set for the hearing and vote on whether to officially declare the “Bloss House” a Seattle landmark.

There’s a new feature in the next edition of the free workshop that Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) is presenting this Wednesday night – important information about new EPA lead-paint rules starting this month for homes built before 1978. And you might also be interested in learning how to cash in on the energy-tax credits that are ending this year. The “Building a Better Home” workshop offers information for custom-home building as well as remodeling. It’s free, led by Ventana’s owners along with architect Kim Goforth, starting at 6 pm Wednesday and running about an hour and a half. They request that you RSVP ASAP since space is limited – call 206-932-3009.

We’re welcoming the Dakota Condominiums today as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what they’d like you to know: The Dakota Condominiums are located at 4116 California Ave. SW (map), just two blocks to “The Junction,” West Seattle’s shopping and dining district and home of the year-round West Seattle Farmers’ Market and West Seattle Summer Fest. This is a great neighborhood where homeowners can walk to everything — the bank, the grocery, cafés, shops, the post office — but when they need to drive into downtown Seattle, it’s also very accessible. Priced from $219,950, the collection of 39 studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes is FHA-approved. The developers, Kevin Krout with Paul Cesmat and Steve Butler of Omni Construction, hand-selected quality materials that represent the Northwest’s natural beauty and have a classic, timeless appeal. Interiors feature oak hardwood floors in the main living areas and kitchens, slab granite countertops with full-height backsplashes, maple cabinetry, full-sized washers and dryers and a full stainless steel kitchen appliance package. Many of the homes include mountain and/or sound views and a select few surround a landscaped interior courtyard for added outdoor entertainment possibilities. Additional amenities include a rooftop terrace with seating and 360-degree views, a controlled access parking garage and video-monitored entry. The Northwest Multiple Listing Service recently reported an increase in home sales, and its agents say buyer traffic is up as the April 30th deadline approaches for the federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for existing homeowners who purchase a new residence. Buyers should try to take advantage of the tax credit if they qualify and be aware that historically low interest rates could go up soon. All of the condominium homes at The Dakota are complete and ready for move-in. The community’s model homes are open weekends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For photos and floor plans, visit our website at www.westseattlecondos.info, or call 206-948-6046 with any questions.

We thank the Dakota Condominiums for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

(Photos republished with permission of Rick Miner)
Thanks to Creighton for spotting this one in the real-estate listings. The house next to the Alki Point Lighthouse (on the northeast side) is for sale, asking $1,300,000. The 2-bedroom, 1-bath house at 3221 Point Place is 92 years old, according to the listing information, which pronounces it a teardown. We dug around to find out more of the backstory – read on to see what we found out:Read More

The mayor’s office announced a change at the top of the city’s Office of Housing – director Adrienne Quinn, a West Seattle resident, is heading east, to join Enterprise Community Partners as vice president for Public Policy and Government Relations. The announcement quotes Quinn as saying, “I decided that now was an important time to spend more time with my elderly parents who live on the East Coast, as well as work on housing policy in DC given the opportunities created by the Obama Administration.” She’s run the Housing Office, which has 43 employees, for five years. A 10-year veteran of the department, deputy director Bill Rumpf, will serve as acting director, according to the mayor’s office. The housing office works closely with agencies like West Seattle-based Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, whose executive director Derek Birnie provided extra info for this story.

Last June, we published that photo with Ron Richardson‘s followup story on the $3.8 million sale of the historic Laurentide estate in Fauntleroy. Today, the folks at Estately flagged us to their list of the 25 biggest Seattle real-estate sales of 2009, and the Laurentide transaction is one of two West Seattle deals on the list. The other is 1114 Sunset, a $2.8 million sale on Estately’s list; we mentioned that property as a $3 million foreclosure last July. See where they ranked, and what else is on the Seattle Top 25, by going here.

(Side note: If you are interested in real estate, two local experts just rejoined the WSB sponsor team this week – Alice Kuder, who’s sponsoring the Crime Watch page, and Roger Steiner.)

This afternoon we welcome our newest sponsor, upRidge at Longfellow Creek, which invites you to a grand-opening celebration tomorrow. Here’s what they’d like you to know about this new development: What was once a blighted lot with abandoned houses is now West Seattle’s newest townhome community; upRidge at Longfellow Creek; 15 stylish townhomes surrounded by tranquil views of urban green space, brought to you by developer Mike Giomi of Terra Firma II. Located in West Seattle, about one mile north of Home Depot and across the street from the temporary site of Chief Sealth High School, upRidge sits above Longfellow Creek (photo above shows its “beaver pond” section nearby), with a system of bike trails and walkways that stretch for miles in either direction. Enveloped by its natural surroundings, upRidge feels peaceful and quiet, yet is just minutes to downtown Seattle. We all know the saying – it’s what’s on the inside that counts. That’s why upRidge is designed with quality features and amenities designed to enhance your lifestyle. Enjoy the best of urban living in one of these awesome new homes. Two-plus and three-bedroom homes, with variable floor plans, are priced from $250,000 to $310,000. A grand opening will be held for the public on Thursday, October 15th from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Please stop by and take a tour of upRidge and enjoy food from Olympia Pizza & Pasta. Visit upRidge.com or call Cara Mohammadian at (206) 650-9554 for more information. We thank upRidge for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; the sponsor team, with info on joining, is all here.

One of our newest sponsors is Arrowhead Gardens, the senior-living community that’s celebrating its grand opening in West Seattle this weekend; here’s a map to its location, and here’s the official announcement:

The Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) is pleased to announce the opening of Arrowhead Gardens, its newest affordable senior living community. Residents have been able to take occupancy of the first of three (3) residential buildings about two weeks ahead of the originally scheduled opening date.

Arrowhead Gardens will be hosting its official Grand Opening event over the upcoming weekend of September 18-20, 2009. The festivities will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, September 18th, with a special Grand Opening ceremony by invitation only. The general public is invited to a Grand Opening celebration on both Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th, with food, refreshments and live music. Prospective senior residents and their families can tour the community during the Grand Opening event weekend, or at anytime by appointment. Visit Arrowhead Gardens today, where the lifestyle is rich and the rents are affordable. And don’t miss the Grand Opening event! See what all the fuss is about.

Located in the Highland Park neighborhood of West Seattle, Arrowhead Gardens is the latest of 27 affordable senior living communities operated by SHAG, the largest senior housing provider in the Puget Sound region. Certain age and income restrictions apply. Arrowhead Gardens provides affordable independent living opportunities designed specifically for active seniors, age 61 years or older, or disabled seniors, age 55 or older.

Arrowhead Gardens will contain an aggregate of 449 dwelling units in three (3) unique and architecturally distinctive residential apartment buildings situated on a lushly landscaped four (4) acre campus and configured in a village-like setting around a fourth building, ­the Village Center, ­a community building which contains leasing and management offices and most of the community’s special amenities and facilities. All buildings are access-controlled, elevator-serviced and fully sprinklered. Secure underground parking is also available. In addition to the affordable rents and the large selection of one- and two-bedroom apartment homes to choose from, it’s the beautifully landscaped gardens and courtyards, soothing water features and a wealth of other amazing amenities and facilities that have most new and prospective residents excited. ³We¹ve heard from seniors who have visited and toured Arrowhead Gardens that have said it has a ‘resort’ feel to it,” said Bill Fenner, SHAG¹s Executive Director.

Lots more information about the grand opening, and Arrowhead Gardens, can be found here.

McQuaid Real Estate reported via Twitter today that it’s closed a $4.5 million deal on a 36-unit multifamily building in West Seattle. According to the company’s publicly viewable Facebook info, it’s the Admiralty House at 1520 California SW (Google Street View above), which McQuaid had listed for $4.9 million (here’s the flyer). Its current online listings include La Playa Vista on Alki for $1.8 million.