Green Lake: A Pyromaniac’s Dream

It’s true: This home really has four fireplaces – a pyromaniac’s dream. The last time I saw that many was at my in-laws’ house. Of course, it was built in 1884 and wood-burning fireplaces were referred to as “heating” back then….

Four fireplaces. That kind of “more is more” thinking typifies this house. If one piece of molding is good, then two, three, or five must be better. If Craftsmen design is desirable, then layering on some Victorian, Colonial and Italianate makes the place even more attractive. I don’t know what kind of statement the builder wants to make, but what I hear is babbling. (For an example of carrying out a unified architectural statement, see this Phinney Ridge contemporary.)

But there is one message that comes through loud and clear: This house is big. The full-height basement raises it up off street level enough to afford a decent amount of privacy from folks on the sidewalk. The street’s pretty quiet and the distance from the lake is great: Far enough away to avoid the traffic and parking problems from visitors and close enough to make the park your second back yard.

There’s even a slice of lake view from the luxurious master bathroom. Unfortunately, it’s the only window in the suite that provides one. All you can do from the master bedroom is warn your neighbors when they need to re-roof.

The developer poured a lot of money into the kitchen, providing upscale touches like self-closing drawers and a built-in espresso maker. Those seemed to have distracted him or her from the fundamentals, though. I saw gaps in the grout and between the cabinets and counters, and the location of the pantry…well, I don’t have elastic arms.

Oh, and let me go on record as someone who thinks that windows with the kind of fake muntins that are sandwiched between glass is an insultingly cheap choice when you’re asking this high a price. But they chose concrete siding, too, so at least they were consistent with the poor picks.

STATS:
Neighborhood: Green Lake
Asking: $1,300,000
Address: 2311 N. 64th St., Seattle, WA 98103
MLS#: 27026342
Click here for detailed listing.

KCR DATA:
Living square footage: 3540. Lot size: 4590 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 5 Baths: 3.5
Last sale price: new construction