Patti Payne's Cool Pads: Elliott Bay Book Co. founders list Seattle home for $3.4M
The Carrs bought their manse 45 years ago and it still has its original amazing flooring and exquisite woodwork.
Walt and Maggie Carr, retired couple from Seattle, have decided to sell their house in Mount Baker's neighborhood for $3.39m.
In 1973, the couple behind the iconic Elliott Bay Book Co. founded it in Pioneer Square.
The classic bookstore, where tens of thousands of authors competed to read out their latest works to rapt audiences for 50 years, celebrates its golden anniversary.
The Carrs sold their store in 1999. Since then, it has been relocated to Capitol Hill.
They now live on Vashon with their daughter and her family as seniors. 'We live multi-generationally,' Walt says.
In 1978, they found the home they're now selling. A 1929 manse that they purchased after viewing over 60 homes on a market with many offers. They lived in the house for 45 years.
They knew as soon as they saw it that it was the perfect place to raise their family. Maggie was expecting their first daughter, but they said that the bookstore was like a fourth child.
The Carrs said it was a great house for a growing family. They finished each other's sentences, and spoke almost as one. Walt Carr said that the house was between 60 and 70 years old at the time we bought it.
They were impressed by the house's solid foundation. Walt says, 'It's a very solid house.' It's almost too big, with the amazing woodwork and flooring. He says that the craftsmanship and materials used in 1929 aren't seen in modern homes.
Some of these materials include the Batchelder tiles fireplace and the refinished quarter-sawn Oak floors.
Maggie loves the kitchen in this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home. She says that the kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where you can have great conversations with friends and family while cooking and eating.
The third-level retreat with its media/office room and guest suite was also a hit.
They both agree that the house is great for entertaining with its wall of windows and lush backyard, where their three daughters were married. The house also offers sweeping views from Lake Washington to the Bellevue Skyline and Cascades.