It's enough to strike fear into the hearts of local architecture buffs: a massive, years-long renovation of an exemplary Northwest Modern home—by a tech millionaire, no less. But unlike Ye gutting his beachside Ando, this Shoreline revamp adeptly balances the original intent behind the design with its current owner’s desire to turn the space into something new. 

Devised with seemingly every modern convenience in mind, the remodel, which reportedly cost more than the selling price, spared no expense in outfitting architect Robert E. Cooper’s 1969 residence with luxury amenities. Artificial Intelligence trains its discerning eye on several basic functions, from plumbing to security—appropriate, considering the owner’s current role as vice president of VersusGame, which uses AI to help clients like Disney and ABC engage with their fanbases.

It feels like the home Patrick Bateman might have dreamed up had he become a family man rather than an American Psycho, with each detail that could conceivably improve upon a morning routine painstakingly accounted for. Hot water flows instantaneously from every faucet. The in-kitchen wet bar currently houses several epicurean-looking coffee makers. The primary bathroom shower contains a lighted, heated face mirror, presumably to ensure an optimal shave.

From future-proofed Internet infrastructure (“every room is bathed in strong, reliable network connectivity,” per the home’s detailed bio) to the dedicated media room—which helps cordon off those high-speed distractions—everything seems purpose-built for residents looking to optimize their productivity. 

Despite their ubiquity, the twenty-first-century additions don’t incongruously crowd the space. Quite the opposite: warm, wooden cabinetry from Seattle-based Henrybuilt, installed throughout the house, could easily pass for original built-ins. Even the console in the dedicated media room and the coat rack in the tiny entry closet get the custom treatment. Modern touches tend tasteful, if they’re visible at all.

That obsession with beauty and comfort extends beyond the common living areas into a suite of five almost equally well-appointed bedrooms. The primary deserves its title, with ultra-high ceilings, an 11-foot-tall shower, and an air-jetted tub with an evergreen view.

Each additional bedroom has its own bathroom, as well as its own built-in woodwork. One prioritizes shelving and closet space; another, a cozy office nook. Kids might fight over the details, but no one winds up with the short end of the stick. Even the downstairs dwellings, which have smaller, three-quarter en suites, offer access to the home’s woodsy gardens.

Other than the brand-new garage—built in the image of the famous Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Ferrari scene, metal backstop and all—the home’s exterior received only minor upgrades. In a cosmetic sense, anyway. Visitors still arrive at an angular, glass-ensconced modern marvel that appears to float among the trees (hence the “treehouse” nickname). Now, a high-tech security system, optionally integrated with Alexa, announces their arrival, and automated lighting illuminates their way.

Listing Fast Facts

861 NW 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98177
Size: 3,456 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
List Price: $3,360,000
List Date: 5/30/2024
Listing Agent: Lella Norberg, Windermere Real Estate Shoreline