This Ralph Anderson home in West Seattle has crystal-clear water views

This five-bedroom Ralph Anderson home was built in 1974, and it’s had the same owners ever since—until now.

For those unfamiliar: Anderson is kind of a local icon, known for residential projects that soak in the natural environment around it. It’s no wonder that the area around Alki Beach is home to a lot of his work.

It’s easy to see why the original owners stuck around so long. The home’s location above Me-Kwa-Mooks park means a view of Puget Sound completely unencumbered by power lines or utility poles. A few trees come into the mix, but that’s part of the scenery.

Those views get the full Anderson treatment, with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping the western side of the house and nestling a large deck.

The interiors framing those views favor natural hues and materials. Wood-grain trim lines the windows. In the open living area, vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings create pockets above smaller conversation areas, like the one created by a brick, room-dividing fireplace. The occasional skylight peeks through.

The ceiling shapes are echoed by a dynamic floorplan below, with a sunken living room surrounded by additional, brick-floor common areas with wooden railings.

On this floor, find three whole bedrooms and two bedrooms. Downstairs, an additional two bedrooms make an even five—although the listing suggests a basement remodel that adds a family room opening up to the sunny back patio.

For more outdoors, the park below adds nearby beach access, or enjoy the private tennis court that comes from being part of the 16-home Schmitz Estates community.

The house has been barely touched since it was originally built. On one hand, this is an incredible opportunity to own something so close to Anderson’s original vision. On the other hand, it’s going to need a little bit of love to live up to its full potential.

The listing price for five bedrooms and that view: $1.1 million.

• Genesee Area Residential [Windermere]
• 4535 54th Ave SW [Estately]