Where is this happening?
The site began as a covert government funded research site. Later it was purchased by by a wealthy conservative family as a tax free but private park and research center. Now, the historic example of modernist architecture in a crowded city is up for sale with demotion and replacement by housing plots. Developers propose to build about 80 homes worth $60 million on this site.
The privately owned site in the middle of a wealthy neighborhood now holds a small conference center, offices and a lodge. The building and park design were done by a famous architect and the vast majority of the land is green open space and water. The company running the conference center calls it “Seattle’s best kept secret” — hidden behind large trees and a fence on back streets, next to quiet single-family homes, and a popular spot for wildlife. Last week, the property’s owner — an entity linked to wealthy telecoms investor, put the property up for sale, noting the campus was ripe for potential redevelopment for as many as 80 single family houses or as many as 300 condos. There is no asking price.