Wallyhood correction: the address of the big white house on Wallingford Avenue is 3519, not 3522. I know this well because I lived there for nearly ten years. Also, the house was not sold in 2000, because its second floor occupant, Dr. Joseph Scardapane, proudly owned it from a few years before I moved in in 1975 until he sold it last year, 2012. He also purchased the small house to the south, because he did not want an “ugly modern apartment” to block his view of downtown. And now, all is churned earth.
When Joe purchased the house, he turned it into a 4-plex. His “advisor” was long-time Wallingford resident, Stephan, a gentle, Jack-of-all trades from originally from Iceland. Stephan knew a team of Norwegian carpenters, and they instilled Joe with a love of frugal craft. Later, Joe hired me for architectural work, and I butted heads with the Norwegians more than once about design details.
Some personal history regarding the house: I lived in the 375 sq. ft. two room apartment on the northwest corner of the first floor. I think it was unofficially called the “student” apartment. I happily lived there as a graduate student, and later as a newly-wed, for nine years, until my late husband, Bill, and I upgraded to the “huge” (800 sq. ft.) apartment to the south. My petite apartment winked at a view of the Cascades and Space Needle. The south apartment had a view of Everything.
Joe, a family doc, lived upstairs. He would frequently invite me up for a gin and tonic, and I would be in awe of the panoramic vista from his home. He was a very fair and generous landlord, only raising my small apartment rent once, from $95/month to $100. Pets were not allowed, but early on, he relented to allowing my illegally adopted kitten, Agatha.
When Bill and I moved to our own precious house, only seven blocks away, it was a bittersweet leaving. John, a friend and fellow architect, had moved into the “student” apartment. He had recently gone through divorce mediation Maryland and was looking for something temporary. He continued to live there for 30 years, until he had to move last summer. We enjoyed a farewell lunch before he moved to Florida, and he caught me up on the 3519 gossip. Joe was returning to his native East coast for good. Furthermore, he had sold the house plus the cottage next door to a developer: be prepared for drastic change!
Great story!
I remember Stephan from when I was a child- a gentle Icelandic giant with a talent for home remodel and keeping up duplexes. He owned several properties right near each other south of 40th, many of which went to his widow Cleo who has since passed on. There was a whole group of older Scandinavian folks who lived right near each other as friends until they passed on- a new generation is here.
Hope that whatever is to come fits with the neighborhood, and that the residents can have their own community too.
I also am feeling a bit distraught. This house (turned 4 plex) was gorgeous and had some much character. Definitely a stand out house on the street. I am feeling very sad that it has been demolished and am missing it’s presence. Does anyone know why it was torn down? Did some buyer buy the house with the intent to build new condos or something? Does anyone know if the interior of the house was stripped? What a huge waste of history and re-usable resources if nothing was “mined” from the house. And what a loss for the neighborhood.
Bobbi, I believe it is being converted into a townhome complex. We are close neighbors, and we received a flyer on our doorstep a few months ago telling us about the construction.
@Bobbi, I’m not personally familiar with this story, but if you check out the comments under “House no more,” it appears that the owner marketed it for sale as one site (in conjunction with the other property).
Thanks Kristina & Neighbor2You for the info. I also found the post and comments for “House No More” which provided a lot of information on developments. Really so sad. I have to think that whatever person was handling the estate (maybe a guardian?) for the owner was not acting with an intention to preserve the house and a piece of the neighborhood’s history and character.