Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend

I love Spring, not only for the flowers and sunshine, but also doesn't hurt that real estate comes to life in our town.   All winter we have had not much activity and not many new listings, but this month we have had some interesting new listings and some very fast sales. 

The Uptown neighborhood is the original townsite that was settled in the early late 1800's.  Port Townsend was in the height of it's boom and there were grand buildings erected and ornate Victorian homes for those that could afford it.  Most of them have survived over the years and are favorites of our of area buyers. 

The first one that comes to mind is my own listing that went into escrow after 2 weeks.

Single level with beautiful gardens and wrap around decking. (Not a Victorian, built in 1987, one of a few single level homes in the area.

$299,000

Clay street Victorian priced at $322,000 in escrow after less than a week.

John L Scott's latest Uptown offering.  Built in 1888, the lovely Victorian home is offered at $310,000. 

This home has not been on the market for the past 30 years and is in almost original condition with some original woodwork and oak floors. 

Close to retail center of Uptown, including Aldrich's, Uptown Theater, and Saturday Farmer's Market. 

Once in a while we have the opportunity to market a home that has never been on the market before and there is so much interest, it is really exciting.  This is the case with my newest listing in the "Uptown" area of Port Townsend.  Uptown was settled by the original founding families of Port Townsend in the late 1800's and is also referred to as "Original Townsite" in the public records.  Most of the lots are small, a legal and typical lot in Uptown is 50 x 100.  There are a few that are smaller and homes are "grandfathered in".

1026 Adams Street, Port Townsend, WA

Built in 1987 for current owners and well maintained over the years.  2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths with one floor convenient layout.  Very efficient wood burning stove, kitchen with eating area, wrap around deck, tile roof, and 2 car garage.

Offered at $299,000.

Lowest priced home in Port Townsend's favorite neighborhood called "Uptown".  The original townsite is where the early  proper families settled to get away from the rif raf at the harbor.  The early settler's built their homes with concerns for weather so not all have water views but may have shelter from the bluffs. 

This cottage  was built in 1940 and is loaded with charming features, including a large window looking over the large wood deck and Olympic Mountain views.  It has one bedroom with full bath, and a second romm that could be a guest room with it's own entry, or an office.  Great for weekend getaways,   downsizing, or investment.   $225,000

Port Townsend, WA is a postcard perfect setting with gorgeous water and mountain views, nature abounding everywhere and fun things to do.  If we are not having a celebration or festival (Rhodie, Wooden Boat, Film, Jazz, Blues, Fiddles) you can spend many hours shopping in our delightful and innovative gift and shops and art galleries, or dining in some very good and interesting restaurants.  For the nature lovers, we have a long and pristine shoreline to walk and explore, mountains to climb, bicycle and kayak rentals, and miles of walking trails.   Take the whole family on an exciting whale watching excursion to picturesque Friday Harbor, or day trip to Victoria, BC or Hurricane Ridge. 

Some suggestions for short or longer stays:

"Almost Uptown Cottage"  New to the rental market this  year, and 1/2 mile from Uptown, near Fort Worden and Downtown.  Sleeps 2-4 and ranges from $125-150 per night.

Private location with loft bedroom, full kitchen and bathroom, wrap around deck, turnkey furnished, large flat screen tv sets, 30 movie channels in HD. www.porttownsendcottagerental.com 

"Birdnest Cottage"  Located two blocks from Fort Worden and beaches, this is your home away from home.  Cozy living room with fireplace, entertainments center, door to front balcony with ocean view, fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom with king bed, loft with 2 twins, and sparkling full bathroom. 

Sleeps 4-6 and ranges from $185 per night.

www.birdnestcottage.com

For a simpler space I recommend "A Garden Cottage"  located near Uptown.  This is a new and very sweet studio with sun porch, comfortable furnishings, and kitchenette for coffee and snacks. Sleeps 2 and ranges from $90-$150 per night.

www.agardencottagegetaway.com

 Enjoy!

We have been experiencing Spring for a month now, with buds on all the trees and little flowers popping up everywhere.  This is in one of the windows of my very favorite stores in Port Townsend called "The Perfect Season" which has the most wonderful and unusal items for home and garden.  You must stop in when visiting Port Townsend. 

This wonderful Victorian Building has sweet memories for Port Townsend residents.  Owned by 2 sisters who moved here from San Francisco and started a business selling gifts, antiques, great greeting cards, and wonderful and whimsy pet supplies.  It was called April Fool and Penny Too.  As I recall reading, that was about 25 years ago.  It was always the first place I would head for when needing a gift, as it seems all my friends and family are pet lovers.  Some of the items were a bit pricey, like the antique childs dish I bought to feed my little Shih Zhu Lulu in, or the pet pillows shaped like a dog lying on the floor, complete with little feet that stick out.  But if you wanted a bargain the upper room called the "attic" had some great buys. At one time it housed a bank and there was a small room filled with gift paper that had once been a vault. There was always a big fat cat in the pet accessories room just lying in a big soft bed, and a large lab type mix dog wandering around in the main room.   

It is now closed and sorely missed, as one of the owners passed away last year and the whole building is for sale. 

 Price is around $2,500,000 for a waterfront building with retail street level, upper level 2000 sq. ft. apt. and an extra parking lot on Water St. in Port Townsend.  (This is not my listing).

View from this building.

                                                                                                          This may be the smallest commercial rental you have ever seen.  It is located in Downtown Port Townsend right on the main street, Water Street.

This little space has an interesting history, and at one time was the home of our wonderful ice cream store, still know as the Elevated.  The Elevated got it's name from the small elevator shown in the photo where the ice cream was sold out of the small window. 

Today, the Elevated Ice Cream store is located across the street and has grown to a large shop with tables and chairs, a small candy store, and long lines of customers during the warmer season.   The ice cream is still home made and hand packed, and is the best!  There are usually over 35 flavors using fresh fruits grown locally, and Italian ices. 

Can you think of a smart new business to locate in the old elevator?  The rent should be affordable.

Water Street Creperie

 Most mornings I like to take a walk in the historic downtown area of Port Townsend and while the streets are empty and the sun is coming up you really notice if a store has gone out of business and something new has popped up for rent.  The past 12 months or so it seems we have had more closings than I have ever seen.

 This morning I saw a very positive and upbeat sign.  A new store called the Water Street Creperie that just opened 2 days ago.  What a lovely and delightful shop!  Tastefully decorated and beautifully furnished with tables, chairs, counters and imaginative art work.

There are outdoor tables and chairs, and a pass through counter for street side purchases.

 They feature crepes with breakfast ingredients, (eggs, cheese, etc.) or lunch type with turkey and ham, a vegetarian offering, plus wonderful desert crepes.  The two I would most like to try (as soon as I lose 20 pounds) are the Graham Cracker Crumble, and the Goat Cheese and Honey. YUMMMMM!

 I met one of the owners, (who else would be there at 7 am.?) a nice young man named Brandon Ellard, who told me he grew up in Port Townsend,  and his friendly employee Jackson.  I welcomed them and wished them luck.  Brandon's partner James Larson was out of town.  A couple of brave and daring young men, and the backbone of our country's economy.

You will see this little guy mostly out for a swim, playing in the water, but occasionally they are walking down the sidewalk, or warming themselves on the beach.  They like to hang out on the boat docks and ramps especially on sunny afternoons.  There is a wonderful painting in one of the shops of otters crossing the street in Port Townsend, and we have a restaurant named "The Otter Crossing".  They are really a fun sight.  

Port Townsend Carnegie Library in Uptown

                                                                                 A gift from Andrew Carnegie, this incredible library is housed in it's original 1898 building (with the exception of an add on from early 1990 when the town had outgrown the original building.)   A group of women organized in the late 1890's  for the purpose of building a new Library, and first bought the land, then obtained a grant from the Carnegie Library Foundation. 

 The architecture followed the guidelines of the foundation and has the look of a charming  art deco building. The front steps are no longer used, but are still grand and stately.  There is a children's section with lots of story telling and special program.  There is a room for DVD's, VCR's and special books.  

 Upstairs there is a fireplace at each end of the room, although they are no longer in use.  There are several computers and the library offers the Virtual version.     Well run and stocked this is a great library.  There are still no book late charges or fines, just a conscience jar!