‘Woonboat’ houseboat adds a splash of luxury to the classic design

It’s a familiar houseboat design: common areas on one level below, and then a bedroom tucked away on the top floor like a little cabin. It’s a cute way to get meaningful separation between the living and sleeping areas—and it makes room for more outdoor areas.

A lot of boats that bear this design dip slightly toward roughing it, with more cabin-like looks. This 2012-built one near Gas Works Park spiffs up the layout, though, with sleek finishes and more contemporary amenities like heated floors, design-forward built-ins, and quartz countertops. It hangs onto some of the cuter elements, though, like exterior shingles and wood-grain ceilings, just shinier. Some parts still scream “cabin,” though, like the macerator toilet—but at least it’s a really nice Italian one.

The roof-deck situation is well put-together, too, with one deck for sunning through French doors off the master and another for outdoor gatherings up a spiral staircase from a smaller, first-floor deck. All together, the place has 569 square feet of exterior space compared to 675 on the inside.

2401 N Northlake Way Unit G5 is on the market for $689,000 through Special Agents Realty. The liveaboard slip costs $1,020 a month and has room for a small boat, too.