Every year, tens of thousands of Zillow readers weigh in on house of the year and this five-story treehouse took the top place for 2017 with nearly 2,500 votes, beating out a mid-century modern mansion in L.A. and the oldest residence in Charleston.
Up until recently, this three-bedroom, four-bathroom home on Bainbridge Island, just outside Seattle, Washington, belonged to Jason McLennan, a designer and environmentalist who worked on Leonardo DiCaprio’s soon-to-open eco-friendly resort in Belize.
“It really spoke to me. It’s really connected to the environment around it,” McLennan told Zillow about the Washington home surrounded by 200-foot-tall cedars. “It has great views, great light and it has all these different levels. You can really find a space that fits your mood.”
Zillow/Erik Hecht
Built in 1978 by another architect, the living space is anchored by four salvaged wood posts, which McLennan believes to be old-growth Douglas fir that’s over 100 years old.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
Zillow/Erik Hecht
The second level is home to the living room, while the ground floor leads to an outdoor pond.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
Other salvaged elements of the house include windows made from repurposed ship portholes and brass doorknobs from an old sailing vessel.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
The kitchen features a 12-foot-long antique leaded-glass window and a patio with Puget Sound views.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
The master bedroom has a private sun room attached to it.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
Zillow/Erik Hecht
The fourth and fifth floors have more bedrooms, including one that McLennan used as a home office recently to write books and design buildings.
Zillow/Erik Hecht
“It’s just nature’s paradise,” McClennan said. “Everything is nestled in the trees, so the trees are intact and the ecosystem is intact. You do feel like you’re in a special place when you’re there.”
The home recently sold over the summer for $875,000.
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US
