Fort Lawton homes sold

By reporter Steven Smalley

The first two renovated Fort Lawton homes, all on the historic register, have come up for sale and are already sold, pending inspections and other contingencies. These sales follow an invitation-only preview by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, which ended last week.
?We are over the moon about the buyers,? reveals Stephanie McMahon, Sales Director for the project. ?We are delighted that we?re at this point.?
An offer on the first home, which came in above the asking price of $799,000, was accepted conditionally to include the buyer?s requirement of an inspection prior to closing. An offer on the second home?was accepted late Friday night with no concession on price, pending a buyer?s inspection, according to McMahon.
As many Magnolians remember, it was a years-long ?Seattle Process? to receive clearances ? from the Navy to the City and beyond ? before restoration could begin on former military housing now located adjacent to Discovery Park. These government homes, beginning on Montana Circle and progressing to Officers? Row, received a complete interior make-over to include new electrical, plumbing, hydronic heat, appliances, and on-demand hot water. Aside from windows and other preserved details, the interior spaces are completely updated, impressively so.

Apart from the handful of red brick units, the yellow exteriors seen on the majority of houses look like they did when originally built by the federal government a hundred years ago. Although with renovations come new roofs and paint, they all conform to strict historic standards.

The residences are placed on the market as they are finished. Beginning in the northern part of Montana Circle and progressing south, the 13-units, mostly 3-bedroom duplexes which measure approximately 2,000 square feet, are scheduled for a January completion. From there, construction moves to Officers? Row where larger homes range from 4,000-6,600 square feet and enjoy impressive views. Construction should start in the spring. Price points have yet to be determined.
?I really enjoy getting to know people here in the community,? McMahon says. ?Their curiosity and support have been nothing but bolstering for us. You?re coming into essentially a nature preserve and we appreciate those who want that. We want to be good stewards of the park.?
When completed, all residences come under a homeowners? association with monthly dues to cover all landscape and exterior maintenance, roofs, and porches. The fees will be in the neighborhood of $400, according to sources.
The sales office at 4407 Montana Circle, which includes a model home for viewing, is now open to the public 7-days-a-week, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking is limited.