The Challenge
It all began with a phone call that, at first, didn’t seem extraordinary. A property owner approached our team after interviewing over 50 brokers without finding the right fit. The property wasn’t conventional—far from it. The land was perched atop a knoll in Fremont, hidden behind run-down houses and overgrown foliage. From the street, there was little to hint at its potential. But once you climbed that hill, the scene opened into a kaleidoscopic vision: panoramic views of Fremont’s quirky rooftops, Ballard’s bustling shipyards, the blue expanse of Puget Sound, and even the distant Olympic Mountains on a clear day. It felt surreal, like a secret space suspended between Seattle’s past and its future.
But marketing a hidden gem isn’t always straightforward and what we were about to step into was a challenge unlike any other. The property had little curb appeal, and back then—before Google Earth—there was no easy way to show off its beauty without physically bringing buyers to the site. We knew we needed something different to tell this story.
Our Strategy
Initially, we hired a helicopter and sent our seller and photographer into the air to capture the property’s magic. The sweeping aerial shots were mesmerizing, but we quickly realized that photos alone wouldn’t be enough. The property’s layered terrain was tricky to explain, so we partnered with Rauda Models to build a 3D foam model, giving buyers a tangible way to understand the property’s unique topography.
Even with its breathtaking views, the property remained a mystery to most. Despite our efforts, traffic was slow. We knew we had to change tactics. That’s when we made the decision to split the property into its constituent tax parcels, each containing a neglected house. We opened the doors and hosted a series of open houses, hoping to generate interest and find the right buyer.
The Outcome
What happened next surprised even us. The people who showed up weren’t typical buyers—they were neighbors, local activists, and visionaries. They didn’t just see an investment property; they saw the potential for something far more meaningful. This land, they believed, could become a public park, a place where the entire community could gather and take in the views. Their enthusiasm gained momentum, and they approached Suzy Burke, a well-known local business owner and long-time supporter of Fremont’s growth. Suzy believed in their vision and stepped up in a big way, fronting $1 million to temporarily secure the property while public park funding was raised.
Thanks to their efforts, the land was transformed into what is now Fremont Peak Park. Today, the park stands as a testament to the power of community and creativity. Its signature feature is a cosmic art installation inspired by the myth of the Minotaur—a fitting tribute to a place that, much like a myth, was once hidden and waiting to be discovered.
For us, this was more than just another sale. It was proof that places have stories, and with the right vision, those stories can shape entire communities. What began as a challenge ended as one of the most meaningful transformations we’ve had the privilege of witnessing in Seattle. Fremont Peak Park isn’t just a park—it’s the legacy of a hidden bluff that brought people together and inspired something extraordinary.
