History Repeats Itself in This $345K Tiny Leschi Cottage

Welcome to Tiny Homes, an idea that is more popular with minimalists than with neighborhood associations and zoning boards. We'll point out the fun parts. You'll have to check out the logistics and legalities - but this one has safety in numbers.

Tiny homes aren't new. Neither are communities of tiny homes. It's just a good idea that was forgotten for a while. A bit more than a hundred years ago, someone built a community of ten tiny cottages down by Lake Washington. A bit more than twenty years ago, someone turned them into condos, which was probably more about labeling than reconstruction. A bit more than a decade ago, someone totally remodeled this 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 435 square foot cottage by upgrading to Brazilian cherry, a Snaediro Italian kitchen, and a modernistic bathroom. Now, they're asking $345,000 for a cottage that's a condo in a community. Inside is clean and modern. Outside is quaint and decorated with well-established gardening. Elements like the peaked roof give it an iconic look, while also providing space inside for a loft, and - well - spaciousness. When the floor space doesn't cover much area, a bit of volume is welcome. Something else that hasn't changed is the proximity to Lake Washington. The community was built just after the Montlake Cut dropped the lake ten feet, but long before the ferries stopped running from Leschi. Now, it means playing at the lake is still an easy walk away. Any commuting by lake is up to you.

· 1501 Lake Washington Blvd [Windermere]
· Making the Montlake Cut [CS]
· Lake Washington Ferries [CS]
· All Tiny Homes coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath