Recc It Ralph
Property Watch: A Tidy Ralph Anderson Home in Queen Anne
This home by the iconic architect has two-story windows, a lush backyard, and some fresh updates.

Image: Matthew Gallant
Ralph Anderson is an iconic local architect, best-known in his day for revitalizing Pioneer Square, although he’s gained more of a cult following for his distinctive homes. He helped define Northwest Contemporary style, teasing out the woodsy elements of regional midcentury architecture into jaw-dropping tributes to the natural landscape.
This boxy home on the Interbay-facing part of Queen Anne, built in 1965, is more on the modern side, but it’s full of beautiful little Anderson hallmarks. A two-story corner window bank ascends into a cathedral ceiling above the dining room. Elsewhere, more ornamental window treatments, including another two-story bank at the entrance, let light in through narrow slats that complement the rails on the open staircase and lofted living room.

Image: Matthew Gallant
Anderson superfans may notice that the place has had some work done since it last popped up on the market a couple of years ago: Walls to a separate kitchen got knocked out to create an open kitchen and an extra bedroom. Upstairs, a new wall expanded the second-floor bedroom’s ensuite bath and added a walk-in closet. It means the living room lost a row of skylights but gained an office nook and wet bar in the process. Some track lights were swapped out for can lights.

Image: Matthew Gallant
The biggest design elements stuck around, especially on the exterior. On one corner, large covered decks stack against the dining room and living room. Along the main bedroom, a serene balcony looks over the backyard. A statement pendant light echoing the home’s windows still shines over the front porch.
With Anderson designs, setting is everything, and the low-maintenance landscape surrounding the home has been refreshed with an extremely light touch. Stone garden beds decorate the steps to the front door, and out back, a lush hillside dotted with ferns has space to lounge both above and below.

Image: Matthew Gallant
Listing Fast Facts
2242 12th Ave W
Size: 1,661 square feet, 3 bedroom/2 bath
List Date: 3/25/2021
List Price: $1,595,000
Listing Agent: Junior Torres, Windermere