Get to Know The Lakes Community in Mercer Island

By Ken Urman, Realtor

The Lakes neighborhood is an all-Buchan-style planned community that has become a Mercer Island landmark on the Southend. Built in the 1980s by John F. Buchan Construction, Inc.

(http://www.buchan.com/), this 40 acre development draws its name from the man-made lakes that dot the landscape throughout the neighborhood. The development was designed to hold storm water in artificial ponds (“Lakes”) and release it slowly downhill to Lake Washington without overwhelming the city’s minimal storm drain lines and ditches. As such, it is an outstanding example of storm water management.

The community is adjacent to the South Mercer Playfields, Lakeridge Elementary School and Islander Middle School. It is also in close proximity to the Mercer Island Beach Club, Country Club and Southend shopping area.

Community statistics:

·         Population (2011):  414

·         2011 median household income:  $186,053

·         Average household size: 2.9 people

·         Vast majority of homes were built between 1960 and 1989.

Halloween trick-or-treating is a hugely popular annual activity in The Lakes, that draws children from all over the island. Treats handed out by residents of The Lakes are reputed to be the Best! A comment often heard is “best Halloween trick or treating ever!” For Halloween, the community encourages families to bring a canned, non-perishable food item to donate to the Mercer Island Food Pantry food bank. Food bins are located throughout the neighborhood on Halloween.

The homeowner’s association in The Lakes is very active. The neighborhood is relatively small and sponsors a number of social activities, allowing neighbors to get to know one another. The homes in this community tend to be very uniform in style, and are either a rambler or a two-story traditional.

Homes in The Lakes are very desirable and sell very quickly when they come on the market. Currently there are no homes for sale or pending sale in the neighborhood. Only two homes have been sold in the last 180 days. The most recent sale occurred June 7, 2013, when a four bedroom, 2.5 bathroom two story lakeside home sold for $1,350,000.

To learn more about The Lakes, or other local neighborhoods, or to list or buy a home, call me today at 206-230-0833.