Our charming, eclectic Seattle is disappearing. This is happening citywide, but more quickly in areas like West Seattle and Ballard. Zoned for high-density construction, the development continues at a relentless pace even during the pandemic.
In the last 10 years, Alki Beach has changed drastically. If you haven't been to visit us for a while, you wouldn't know it. Once a jumble of little vacation houses and bungalows, Harbor Avenue is lined with multi-story, luxury condominiums with units selling for over a million dollars. It looks like a (cold) mini Miami.
On the narrow side streets, modest family homes are demolished to build tall houses covering the entire lot. Most look the same--like big boxes.
The Stone Cottage on Harbor Avenue, known as "Eva's Stone Cottage," has been a landmark since the 1930's. It was built by Eva Falk and her family during the Great Depression.
Eva and her kids came up with the idea of decorating the facade with beach stones. They collected stones near the Alki Lighthouse, over a mile away, and hauled them back to the house in wagons. Each one was thoughtfully placed by hand on the exterior.
Now the Stone Cottage is crammed between condos and townhouses. It's been unoccupied for years and really didn't stand a chance, considering the value of the land.
A few years ago, a developer bought the property to build this15-unit condo on the cottage lot. Perhaps 50 people living in the old footprint of the cottage? Like it or not, that's what passes for progress in Seattle.
I didn't hear anything for quite a while, and seemed like another lost cause. However, just recently, the campaign was revitalized and the community finally raised $110,000 through GoFundMe. Enough money move the cottage and restore it.
I drove by a few days ago, and this was in progress. Quite a project.
And here's an artist rendering of the cottage in its new location, still in the heart of Alki near Statue of Liberty Plaza. A story with a happy ending!
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