The Story Behind
175 Feet of Lake Washington Waterfront in Storied Medina
There are waterfront homes, and then there are homes that are defined entirely by the water. This residence belongs unmistakably to the latter category. Stretching more than 100 feet across its lakeside elevation, the structure was deliberately conceived to maximize the relationship between interior living and the shimmering expanse of Lake Washington beyond. The result is a home where 180-degree water views are not a feature of a single privileged room but rather the ambient condition of daily life.
The architectural language is contemporary in the most considered sense — curved exterior forms soften what might otherwise read as austere modernism, while expansive glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoors and out without sacrificing the warmth that makes a house a home. Step inside and the 24-inch limestone slabs that carry through the entire main floor announce the property's commitment to material excellence immediately underfoot. These are not gestures toward luxury; they are its foundation.
The kitchen anchors the social heart of the main floor with warm-toned wood cabinetry, black stone countertops, and an island scaled for genuine gathering. Two distinct living areas each claim a built-in fireplace, and the open dining space — framed by floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the lake and the distant Bellevue skyline — transforms every meal into an occasion. Even on the grey mornings that define a Seattle winter, the walls of glass ensure the interiors remain genuinely light-filled, a design achievement that speaks to the thoughtfulness of the original build.
The primary suite occupies its own world within the home. A sitting room offers space for quiet reading or easy conversion into a private media retreat, while sliding glass doors open directly to the water. The limestone bathroom carries the spa-like material palette of the main floor into an intimate register, anchored by a deep soaking tub, a private garden view, and two fully outfitted closets that satisfy even the most discerning wardrobe. Two dedicated home offices, a well-equipped exercise room, and a full-wall media center make the case for never leaving — and the sprawling studio, currently configured for fine art practice, ensures that creative pursuits have a home of their own.
Outdoors, the property unfolds across three decks and two covered patios, with an outdoor BBQ suited for large-scale entertaining and intimate evenings alike. Granite steps lead directly into the lake. A private dock, two boat lifts, and a dedicated Sea-Doo lift make the water immediately accessible, while a hot tub offers the ideal vantage point for sunsets that rank among the most spectacular the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
The grounds themselves reflect three and a half decades of patient cultivation, with mature plantings and trees that lend the property an established, almost estate-like quality. A recent refresh by Ohashi Landscaping — a respected Pacific Northwest firm known for blending Japanese design sensibility with contemporary residential landscapes — has brought the exterior environment into alignment with the clean, modern aesthetic of the architecture, ensuring that the garden reads as an intentional extension of the home rather than an afterthought.
Medina occupies a narrow peninsula on the western shore of Lake Washington, directly across the water from Seattle's Madrona and Madison Park neighborhoods, and its name carries significant weight in Pacific Northwest real estate. One of the smallest cities in Washington State by area, Medina has long attracted residents who prize privacy, natural beauty, and proximity to urban resources without the density that typically accompanies them. The community's tree-lined streets, generous lot sizes, and strict development standards have preserved a residential character that feels rare in the context of one of the country's fastest-growing metropolitan regions.
The city sits within the Eastside corridor anchored by Bellevue, whose downtown — home to a growing skyline, world-class dining, and the Seattle Art Museum's Bellevue Arts Museum — is accessible within minutes. The transformation of downtown Bellevue over the past two decades has made the Eastside a genuine cultural destination in its own right, with the Bellevue Collection, Lincoln Square, and a restaurant scene that has attracted nationally recognized culinary talent. For residents of Medina, this proximity means that the conveniences and cultural offerings of a major urban center are genuinely close at hand, while the residential enclave itself remains insulated from urban intensity.
Cross the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge — the longest floating bridge in the world, connecting Medina directly to Seattle via State Route 520 — and the city's arts institutions, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle waterfront are within a short drive. The bridge itself has become one of the region's signature infrastructure achievements, and its presence makes Medina's sense of remove feel all the more remarkable given how efficiently it connects to the broader metropolitan area.
Lake Washington, which defines Medina's eastern and western exposures, is one of the largest natural lakes in Washington State and serves as the recreational backbone of the region. Boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming are central to life along its shores, and the lake's clarity and scale — stretching roughly 22 miles from north to south — ensure that its presence never feels ordinary. Summer on Lake Washington is a particular kind of Pacific Northwest experience, with long evenings, warm water, and a social culture built around the docks and decks that line its shores.
Medina's public schools fall within the Bellevue School District, consistently ranked among the strongest in Washington State, while the area's proximity to private educational institutions and the University of Washington's main campus in Seattle broadens the academic landscape considerably. The surrounding Eastside also hosts the headquarters of several major technology companies, making Medina a natural residential choice for those whose professional lives are anchored to the region's technology industry.
For everyday needs, the city's location places residents within easy reach of Bellevue's retail and dining offerings, as well as the boutiques and restaurants of Kirkland's charming waterfront district to the north. Farmers markets, waterfront parks, and community gathering spaces contribute to a quality of life that is both sophisticated and genuinely livable — a balance that Medina, perhaps more than any other community on Lake Washington's eastern shore, has managed to sustain.
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Curated Content • Presented by Rodney Tom
















