Get To Know the Faben Point Community
By Ken Urman, Realtor®
This post is the eighth in a series offering
insights into the unique characteristics of specific neighborhoods on Mercer
Island and communities surrounding Lake Washington, including Parkwood,
Tarywood, Woodridge, Judkins Park , and Newcastle.
Faben Point is a community with a rich history and a
collection of some of the most expensive luxury homes on Mercer Island. In
addition to an ideal location very close to water, parks, and freeway access, many
homes in this community have views of Seattle across Lake Washington.
In the early 1900s, there were about 25 ferry
landings on all sides of Mercer Island. The northwest side of the island has
four prominent points, all of which were ferry landings. The eastern point, in
Luther Burbank Park, is Calkins Point; the west side of the middle point is
Roanoke Landing; the point on the northwest corner of the island is Faben
Point; and the point about 0.7 miles south of I-90 is Proctor Landing. It is not surprising, therefore, that many of the
island’s oldest communities arose near the landings.
Faben Point was named for prominent Seattle attorney/judge
and boat racing enthusiast Vincent 'Vince' Faben, who owned a summer home there
until his death in 1927. He raced a launch named the 'Dolphin' and was sometimes called 'Captain'
Faben. In records of the 1906 Labor Day,
Mid-Winter, and Fourth of July Regattas (powerboats), Faben was listed as
Commodore of the races. In 1931, his Mercer Island property was platted into
large lots, with 60-80' of waterfront, 200-370' deep, and sold at auction. Many
of the homes at Faben Point were built between 1927 and the end of World War
II. Many of the older homes have been replaced by large luxury homes.
Faben Point is
part of the beautiful north end “Gold Coast,” consisting exclusively of
waterfront properties. Seven homes in Faben Point have sold during the last
seven years, with prices ranging from $1,110,000 to $9,250,000. Another home in
this beautiful neighborhood is currently on the market, listed at $3,125,000. One
home in this community, which was listed in 2007 for $28 million, is featured
on one real estate website as one of the ten best pools in the US.
Another bit of Faben
Point history, brought to light in recent years with the sale of a green vinyl
bar that was restored to the Harvey family. John Harvey booked bands for
regional venues in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as promoting musical events.
His grandmother, Laura S. Harvey, owned the waterfront home just down the
street from him. Some of the bands stayed at Laura Harvey’s home during their
trips to the Seattle area. According to family lore, a number of rock-and-roll
stars shared meals with the family at the green vinyl bar, including Bill Wyman
of the Rolling Stones and possibly Led Zeppelin.
Residents of Faben Point during the early 1990s were
inconvenienced with the construction of the I-90 floating bridge. However,
accessibility to the highway and access to the Park on the Lid and the I-90 bike
trail are clear benefits for residents today.
To learn more about the Faben Point community, or to learn
about homes available in this area, please contact me at 206-230-0833.
