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Capitol Hill’s Skinner Mansion listed for $8M

With a bar, a wine cellar, and half an acre, you’d never have to leave

By Sarah Anne Lloyd

The Skinner Mansion is back on the market for just under $8 million. Even in a neighborhood full of high-priced, historic estates, this one stands out. The 10,000 square foot mansion sits on half an acre—an almost unheard of lot size in an increasingly dense Capitol Hill—and boasts a whopping five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, and seven fireplaces.

Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties

The home was originally built by Reverend Edward Lincoln Smith, who was pastor at what was then Pilgrim Congregational Church, now All Pilgrims Church, at Broadway and Republican.

But it was more famously occupied by World War I era industrialist David E. Skinner. The Skinner Building, which houses the 5th Avenue Theater, is also named for him. The strip near Volunteer Park where this and many other early business magnates’ mansions were built was originally called “Millionaire’s Row,” according to Seattle historical records. (“Billionaire’s Row” might be more apt now.)

Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties

The home spent some time as a rooming house, as well, and it’s no wonder, with that many bedrooms and a veritable cornucopia of specialized common areas. A guest suite has a separate entrance and kitchen.

The master bedroom features not only a marble bath and an outdoor terrace, but an almost cartoonishly posh closet larger than some studio apartments.

Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties

The billiards room and bar look more like a hotel lounge than similar, pub-inspired rec rooms. The ornate wine cellar is large enough to host tastings.

Avenue Properties
Avenue Properties

The grounds surrounding the mansion are carefully-manicured, featuring boxwood gardens, serene paths, sunny patios, and multiple fountains—in addition to multiple lawns.

This home has it all—basically a park for a backyard, a library, a bar, close proximity to everything. Now you just have to get your hands on a cool $8 million.