Mansion on Waverly Way Getting Extensive Remodel

A Mediterranean-style mansion on Waverly Way built 10 years ago is being extensively remodeled, not demolished as some passersby suspect, according to City of Kirkland property records and a city plans examiner.

The city issued a remodel permit to the owner of the 7,000-square-foot structure at 430 Waverly Way in April. Crews began working on the site this week, apparently removing concrete stairways, porches and entrances.

Tom Jensen, plans examiner supervisor in the Kirkland Building Department, said the remodel permit does not allow removal of the structure’s “envelope” or the construction of a larger residence.

“Basically, it’s a single-family remodel permit,” he said.

A member of the crew working on the house, James Endicott of Edifice Construction, confirmed it was a remodel and that a private party, not a bank, owns the home

“There is a current owner. He’s pretty private person,” Endicott said. “It’s going to be a remodel.”

Residents in the West of Market neighborhood say the mansion, built in 2001 with four bedrooms and three full bathrooms, has been vacant for some time. King County property records list the orange structure as a "Grade 13 Mansion" and show it was sold to the current owner in December of 2009 for $4.2 million.

Waverly Way, just above Lake Washington and offering extensive views, is a popular route for walkers, and many of them have been curious about the work, along with drivers, who sometimes cruise by slowly or stop to take a look.

"Every time I go by I see people doing that," said Marypat Meuli, a Kirkland Patch reader who had emailed the editor about the work, expressing surprise at what appeared to be the demolition of the mansion.