Gorgeous and (Very) Unique Wallingford Loft Apartment

Description

This is a unique opportunity for the right person(s). Built in the 1920s, the building is a former telephone exchange building that was converted into artists’ apartments and studios almost 50 years ago. Currently there are professional artists from many disciplines living and/or working in the building. There is even a working glassblowing studio on the basement floor. From the industrial brick walls to the 13’ ceilings to the large apartment/studio spaces to the community of current working artist residents this place truly embodies the image of a New York City Artist Loft - only this one is located in one of Seattle’s most desirable neighborhoods: Wallingford. Wallingford is one of the most preferred neighborhoods in the city. It is well-located (close to the UofW) and contains an admirable collection of craftsman cottages, great shops and restaurants. We have decided to reserve one apartment (there are 9 total) as a shorter-term rental for the next few years. The most recent tenant in this apartment rented for 25 years until his family of four out-grew the space. Their recent departure has given us this opportunity to build in more flexibility. We were Super Hosts on Air BnB for another property. What the apartment itself offers: a gorgeous fully furnished space with terrific light, beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, a loft storage space and a shared patio/garden right outside your front door. While technically the apartment is one giant room you will see from the pictures that areas are designated in a way that does afford privacy. It has proven an easy space in which a family of three could live and work. (Full disclosure: the wall with the next door tenant isn’t as soundproof as we’d like so on occasion you might hear the faint sound of her music or other neighbor noise. If you are a particularly noise-sensitive person you should give this consideration, although, on the other hand, the last tenant was in this apartment for 25 years. Also, the building was designed for industrial purposes which translates to things like oddly placed light switches. The apartment is quirky from the soldering alcoves left over from the industrial days to the antique Olympic Hotel door which leads into the bathroom to an odd but appealing collection of old typewriter, submarine models and blown glass on display. The landlords: Jim has owned the building since 1978 and has built (literally and figuratively) this artist residential and working community. By trade he has been a commercial fisherman in Alaska, a boat builder, and a shellfish cultivator. Teri came on the scene in the early 90s. She is a writer, a retired public school teacher and flower farmer. She was the founder and executive director of an award-winning youth creative writing center for many years. The two maintain an apartment in the building where they spend time most weeks but spend more time at their small farm on the Olympic Peninsula. They have many irons in the fire. They would be happy with an individual, couple or possibly a family with one child. They're looking for people who can both appreciate the artistic nature of the building, are easy-going and someone(s) who will be respectful of all tenants in the building. We look for interesting people doing interesting work – however that defines itself. While there are no social obligations for any tenants, it is a friendly building and we would prefer someone who might enjoy an occasional happy hour on the deck.