Officially, it’s labeled as View-Ridge on the map but everybody seems to call this little modern gem of a neighborhood Sand-Point. And rightly so – I mean, come-on every ridge has a view but not every point has sand (actually we’re not sure this point has sand either, but that’s our story and we’re sticking to it). Sand Point sits between 65th and 75th street to the north. 45th Ave NE provides an approximate western boundary and to the east it terminates at Magnuson Park and Lake Washington.
The neighborhood is a textbook example of mid-century modern architecture and landscaping. Many of the original mid-century homes and grounds have been immaculately maintained while newer work is discovering a zeitgeist of its own. A surprising number of new homes have an architectural vocabulary in common; simple massing, gently sloping shed roofs, and walls of glass. 60 years of well composed architecture along with a smashing view of Lake Washington and the Cascades make this neighborhood great for a walk on a clear day.
The low, horizontal roof massing almost disappears behind the well manicured landscaping.
[Photos by BUILD llc]
View Ridge elementary at 7047 50th Ave NE – nice clean lines and walls of glass
[Photo by BUILD llc]
Sand Point Community Church at 4710 NE 70th Street
[Photo by BUILD llc]
Magnuson Park sits on the point aforementioned (which may or may not be made of sand). On a sunny day the park is a great escape from the city. The grounds were previously occupied as an airfield and a naval base, today it is shared between the city and NOAA. With an abundance of land and large empty buildings, Magnuson Park frequently hosts large scale art exhibits. The park is also home to a large bird habitat, the Fin-Art installation and the Sound-Garden.
Fin Art
[Photo by BUILD llc]
Sound-garden
