The Harry Vanderbilt Wurdemann House, also known as the Wurdemann House, is a private home in Lake Forest Park, Washington.[2][3] Built in 1914 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, it was one of the first houses in Lake Forest Park.[4]
Harry Vanderbilt Wurdemann House | |
 Harry Vanderbilt Wurdemann House | |
   | |
| Location | 17602 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, Washington |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°45′19″N 122°16′29″W / 47.75528°N 122.27472°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 90002154[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1990 |
History
Wurdemann House is a two-story, four-bedroom, wood-frame structure on a concrete foundation, with 4,180 finished sf.[3] Designed to be an architectural showpiece, the rectangular plan for the house was loosely based on a Mediterranean villa style.[2] The house has two eight-pillared porticos.[5] It sits on a knoll with a view of Lake Washington.
The property originally contained several outbuildings, including a large gardener's cottage/garage, a poultry house, boiler shed, and greenhouse.[2] Wurdemann House was positioned at the entrance to Lake Forest Park, replacing a small real estate office that served the new planned community.[6]
Built for Harry and May Wurdemann after they moved to Washington, the house was sold in 1924 to Adolf Linden, president of Puget Sound Savings and Loan Association. Linden added a pool and brick-and-iron fence to the property.[2] Subsequent owners included Roy L. Maryatt, owner of Maryatt Electrical Laundry Company and American Linen Supply; Walter Brown, a local railroad owner; John Clancy, a saloon owner; Mrs. True Uncaphor, owner of the Sun Life Insurance Company; and Arie Vanderspeck, international banker and consul for the Netherlands.[2][7]
Recent changes
After being unoccupied for some years, the property was purchased by a development company in 1990.[8] A portion of the property was sought by a firm with plans to build a 55-unit retirement facility, but the local Planning Commission recommended denial of the application for variance due to widespread opposition from the public.[9]
Entrance to the property has changed from a wide, circular drive from the southeast to a small street from the north.[2]
In 1990, the mansion was leased by the Seattle Symphony for several months to raise funds through entrance fees.[10] In 2014, private tours were offered to benefit the Shoreline Historical Museum & Heritage Center.[11]