Floating Home on Seattle’s Lake Union Lists for $2.85 Million

A floating home on Seattle’s Lake Union was listed last week for $2.85 million. A floating home in Seattle just one dock away from the one used in “Sleepless in Seattle” was listed last week for $2.85 million.

Located on Lake Union, a freshwater lake in the middle of the city, the home is a perfect jumping off point for water sports and offers views of Seattle and Gas Works Park, according to the listing with Danny Varona of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty.

“There are not very many of these, and there are not going to be any more,” he said, adding that the city now restricts this kind of housing.

Known as the Hawk’s Nest, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom floating home is just north of the one used in the classic 1993 romantic comedy, where Tom Hanks’ character and his son lived, according to Mr. Varona. That home sold for more than $2 million in 2014 , according to Curbed.

The Hawk’s Nest was renovated in the early 1990s, brought down to the logs instead of the studs, he explained. Hand-carved cherry wood cabinetry by artisan and former editor of Fine Woodworking magazine, Jim Boesel, was added in 1995, as well as maple flooring throughout, the agent said. The home also has a small sauna. The floating home gets its name from its roof deck, which offers “amazing views” of the lake and activities like fireworks and races, as well as the popular Seattle Seahawks football team, Mr. Varona said, adding that it uses the team’s colors in the design.

It also has a grandfathered accessory raft, a rarity since the city government stopped allowing new ones in 1974.

“It’s great for launching water toys, like kayaks, and getting back to the house,” Mr. Varona said. “It makes that much easier.”

Other amenities include a small sauna and two spaces to moor a boat, with additional leasing opportunities for large vessels, according to the agent. There are also three parking spots for land-going automobiles.

The community on the dock is another plus, he said, and many of the residents have been there for more than 20 years.

Mr. Varona noted there are “more similarities than differences” between a floating home and one on land. The biggest issue is making sure the barrels and logs, the most common way to support a floating house, are balanced and maintained.

Mansion Global could not determine how much the property last traded for. The owners were not available for comment.

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