Russo Hunts Point Mansion sells for $11.3 Million

This estate in Hunts Point (page 148 in Lake Washington 130 Homes, http://www.hundredhomes.net/) sold for $11.3 million in March 2010. This waterfront mansion was built in 2002, replacing a mansion that was purchased in 2001 for $5.8 million and torn down. The home buyer is listed as Joseph Gaffney, a partner with the Dorsey & Whitney LLP law firm. He may be acting as a trustee for an anonymous buyer. The former owners and sellers were Raymond and Linda Russo.  The Russos owned and managed numerous apartment complexes in the Seattle area. Two of their management companies are Quinault Apartment Associates LLC and R.P. Management. Raymond is a former regent at Seattle University and the Russos were co-chairs of the 2003 SU Gala. The estate has 7,460 sq ft of living space on 1.2 acres with 157 feet of waterfront.

March homes sales showed the most $1 million plus sales in the Seattle area since I started research for my book in 2008.

Ragen Seattle Mansion Sells for $9.6 Million

This estate in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle (page 30 in Lake Washington 130 Homes, http://www.hundredhomes.net/) sold for $9.6 million in December 2009. This is one of Seattle’s fine old waterfront mansions that has not been torn down for a modern home. The home buyer is listed as Janis Cunningham, a partner with the Perkins Cole law firm. She may be acting as a trustee for an anonymous buyer. The former owner and seller was Brooks Ragen.  He co-founded Seattle-based Ragen Mackenzie Group, a full service brokerage firm.  The firm grew to 300 employees with offices in Washington, California, Oregon and Alaska managing over $11 billion in assets when it was acquired by Wells Fargo in 2000.  Nearly simultaneously Brooks left the firm and co-founded McAdams Wright Ragen in Seattle and the firm is now one of the region’s largest brokerage firms. The estate has 4,020 sq ft of living space on 0.6 acres with 153 feet of waterfront.

Gould Buys Briggs Madison Park Mansion for $10.6 Million

This house in Madison Park (page 19 in Lake Washington 130 Homes,
http://www.hundredhomes.net/) sold for $10.6 million in December 2009. The home was purchased by Frederick Beau Gould and Julie Pigott Gould. The Goulds moved from a nearby Madison Park home and their boat is named “Julie.” Frederick is a Seattle attorney. Julie is active in numerous local charities with other members of the Pigott families. The former owners, Jack and Carol Briggs, were also active in charities and the home was featured as a wonderful site for many fund raisers. The home has a pool, two kitchens and three fireplaces. The selling brochure said: “The home is wonderful for entertaining inside and outside. Inside there are large entertainment rooms with French craftsmen detailing. The outside features the pool, beautiful, well-maintained landscaping, sculptures and fountains.” The estate has 7,470 sq ft of living space on 0.7 acres with 135 feet of waterfront.