Phinney Ridge: A Suite Idea

This townhouse is pleasant inside and out. It’s one of a set of three tucked between an apartment building and single-family homes in an undistinguished part of Phinney Ridge, only half a mile from the commercial strip along Greenwood Ave. N.

It’s spacious compared to some of the townhouses I’ve toured lately – definitely not one of Christine’s Cozy Quarters. There’s a full bedroom and bath on the ground floor, for example, and the kitchen has a big island and lots of prep space.

I like the “suite” idea implemented in the upper-floor bedrooms. Within each room is a partial wall with a wide, doorless opening. This defines some of the floor space as a possible sitting area. Combined with the vaulted ceilings, there’s a generous feel to the rooms. Each has its own bathroom, too, making both a private hideaway.

From a practical standpoint, however, I see some things that might drive someone crazy. The path into the single-car garage is a snaky squeeze through two right-angle turns. There’s no direct backyard access; you go out the front door and around the side to a gate. And the second-floor half bath, which will get used a fair amount since that’s the main living space, is too small for my taste: the door barely clears the sink cabinet and the sink itself overwhelms the counter with less than 2.5 inches of tile on either side.

If you’ve got some stretch in your budget, this sister, stand-alone unit is also on the market, for $529,950. There’s no yard, but it has an extra 330 sq. ft., a two-car garage, better sun exposure, and a poorly designed laundry room.

STATS:
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
Asking: $439,950
Address: 7910 6th Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Square footage: 1600 (KCR). Lot size: unknown
Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 3.5
Last sale price: new construction
MLS#: 26171211
Click here for detailed listing.