The Challenge
Designed in 1953 by Paul Hayden Kirk, the Dowell Residence in Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood is a defining example of Pacific Northwest modernist architecture. Extensively documented in Architectural Record and Sunset Magazine, the residence was honored as one of Seattle Met Magazine’s “10 Greatest Homes” in 2011. In 1957, Architectural Record highlighted the home among its prestigious “Record Houses,” recognizing its role in softening the more severe trends in mid-century design.
Beyond its architectural significance, the home’s landscape, designed by William G. Teufel—the visionary behind the grounds of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair—further distinguished the property. The quarter-acre lot was a private arboretum, offering a tranquil escape from the outside world. The home itself was designed for connection, featuring an interior atrium with a penthouse clerestory that bathed the space in natural light, as well as rare materials such as fragrant Japanese Sen wood and custom shoji screens woven from horsehair and resin.
Unassuming from the street yet iconic in design, the residence had remained in the Dowell family for two generations and had never before been on the market. This presented a unique challenge: how to position a historically significant yet privately held property in a way that would attract the right buyer—one who understood and appreciated both its architectural pedigree and its potential for thoughtful stewardship.
Our Strategy
Marketing the Dowell Residence required a deep understanding of its architectural legacy and a commitment to preserving its story. Our approach blended historical research, industry engagement, and targeted storytelling to ensure the home was presented with the significance it deserved.
We began by conducting extensive research into the home’s place within the Pacific Northwest’s modernist movement, noting that Paul Hayden Kirk was one of four key figures who shaped Seattle’s mid-century architectural identity—alongside Paul Thiry, Roland Terry, and Victor Steinbrueck. This context was essential in positioning the residence within the broader narrative of Seattle’s architectural history.
Recognizing that this home would appeal to a highly specific and discerning audience, we curated an architectural charrette—a design workshop involving some of the region’s most respected architects and designers. Among the participants was Tom Kundig, one of Seattle’s most renowned contemporary architects, who later led the modernization of the home after its sale. The charrette provided an opportunity to engage thought leaders in the field, elevating awareness of the home and generating discussions about its future.
Alongside these efforts, we collaborated with Windermere’s public relations team to bring the Dowell Residence into the public eye, ensuring it reached the right audience. This outreach led to widespread recognition of the home’s sale, reinforcing its status as a rare and valuable piece of Seattle’s architectural history.
Explore the media coverage:
The Outcome
The Dowell Residence found a buyer who shared a deep appreciation for its historical and architectural significance. The sale ensured that the home would remain a cherished piece of Seattle’s modernist legacy.
As part of the sale, we worked closely with the Dowell family to assemble and preserve the home’s extensive historical archive. This included original photographs, drawings, artwork, and ephemera, documenting the residence’s rich history. This collection was gifted to the new owner at closing, ensuring that the home’s story would continue to be honored in its next chapter.
The thoughtful marketing of this rare architectural landmark not only resulted in a successful sale but also safeguarded its legacy—allowing its design, craftsmanship, and cultural significance to endure for future generations.
