For Sale: the Wurdmann mansion

By Diane Hettrick

For years, Lake Forest Park residents daydreamed over the Wurdemann mansion. Sitting on a four acre piece of property near the intersection of Ballinger Way and Bothell Way, it was vacant for years. Weatherbeaten and apparently crumbling into ruin, it sat in romantic splendor.

The Wurdemanns were among the first to purchase lots in Lake Forest Park, securing a five acre area. Their mansion was built in 1915 in the Georgian style with a marble staircase, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, four dressing rooms, and a grand spiral staircase.

In 1990, Brian Taylor and partners bought the property, subdivided off several lots, and completely renovated the house and outbuildings.

The main house is 5,000 square feet with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The lot is 41,000 square feet with "poetic grounds, tennis court, circular drive, Georgian style porches, walls of French doors and a carriage house attached to a three car garage. The entry introduces beautifully the gorgeous detailed interior of the home. Majestic wide stair case, elegant formals and period detailing throughout."

Now it's on the market again. I'm told that several more lots have been divided off but it is still a large property. The house is no longer a romantic ruin, just a big house. Even the price of $1,680,000 is comparable to other homes in Lake Forest Park.

It's still beautiful and it still has the view of Lake Washington.

For all of you who have wondered what it is like inside, realtor Kim Thomas of the Lake Forest Park Windermere office has provided these photos.

If you are interesting in buying, you can reach her by email or 206-601-4969.

It has been used several times by organizations. In 1990, it was the Seattle Symphony Designer Show House (see article in The Seattle Times). In 2014, the Shoreline Historical Museum gave private tours of the mansion as a fundraiser for the museum (see our article).