Wallingford: Thank God They Left It Alone

The person who buys this Wallingford bungalow is getting a gem. Unlike many of its contemporaries, this place has been left mostly alone during the past 74 years.

As a result, the original molding, leaded glass windows, and floors are still intact. Folks also resisted the urge to paint, bless their little hearts. Both the brick fireplace and molding are untouched (although I suspect the woodwork was restained a different color at some point). The built-in bookcases retain their leaded glass doors, and the den/bedroom off the living room has its French doors.

Finding this much original detailing is difficult, let me tell you. And where the owners did update, like the kitchen, it was done in keeping with the bungalow spirit. The aluminum window over the sink is the only wrong note.

There’s a shared driveway leading to a decrepit single-car garage that needs serious repair. (And repair is the best tack to take since it’s right on the lot line and you’ll never get a permit to replace it in situ if you tear it down.)

The house is located on a great Wallingford street loaded with period housing. Thackeray’s an arterial, but it’s pretty lightly traveled; you’ll have to decide for yourself whether the 26 bus, which comes down the street, is either a convenience or a nuisance. You’re 10 feet from your neighbors, but that’s standard in old Seattle neighborhoods.

Some of the houses here will have views of downtown and the Space Needle, but with only a single story, this isn’t one of them. You’ll just have to admire the classic interior details, instead.

STATS:
Neighborhood: Wallingford
Asking: $634,950
Address: 4536 Thackeray Place NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Bedrooms: 3 Baths: 1
MLS#: 27051317
Click here for detailed listing.

KCR DATA:
Living square footage: 1230. Lot size: 4350 sq. ft.
Last sale price: $389,900 (Dec. 2002)