1208 S Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501

Property Description

Maybe you really CAN have it all? Here's a gorgeous, jewel-box home nestled in a secret-garden setting downtown, with views of Cook Inlet, Westchester Lagoon, and mountains. It's a 6 minute walk to the Coastal Trail to stroll or bike along the inlet and trail system. Built in 1986, this Streamline Moderne-influenced home was thoughtfully designed by M. Mense, a noted Anchorage architect. The goal was to create a home that would be timeless and beautiful while achieving an optimal use of the extraordinary location and a very efficient use of space. Outdoors, mature birch trees gracefully frame the entry of the house in a front lawn anchored by stacked-slate borders. In the back yard, terraced, raised garden planters line the northern fence, ready for thriving Alaskan flowers and veggies. A small garden shed, designed and painted to match the main house, marks the west end of the property, and features a space that can be utilized as a playhouse or meditation space or a fun getaway in the trees. The front entry is laid with beautiful, easy-care green slate. It features a wall of custom, clear-grain Douglas fir cabinetry; a bank of custom-crafted deep cherrywood drawers with hidden charging station; and a spacious media cabinet with lots of sleek storage to contain everything out of sight. In the kitchen, extra-deep countertops of ocean-colored granite and honed-marble quartz provide plenty of space for spreading out cooking and craft projects. The wide and deep 3-compartment stainless steel sink was made especially for this kitchen, and it is a delight to use. Appliance garages keep your espresso machine, toaster, and other tools and gadgets ready to use but out of sight. Plenty of custom maple cabinets, crafted by a local master carpenter, keep the sleek, natural look going and provide lots of storage. Wolfe, Miele, and Viking appliances provide luxury equipment, with lots of focused task lighting throughout. The sightline from the kitchen takes advantage of the open, expansive layout and allows a panoramic view of the front and back lawns. Terrazzo rubber floors (yes!) provide a cushioned, anti-fatigue surface that reduces strain during extended standing, and is also quiet, non-slip, and very low maintenance. The lustrous, rich floors in the living room and dining area are crafted of sustainable madrone hardwood flooring with a modern European wax finish, sourced from a boutique wood mill in Oregon. A wall of west-facing windows feature gorgeous, clear-grained Douglas fir trim and sills. A contemporary gas fireplace glows from a wall of honed, almost seamless limestone. A Brazilian walnut deck extends from the living room, and is perfect for grilling, entertaining, and enjoying the serene secret garden space of the back yard. Stair handrails are custom crafted in stainless steel. Upstairs, there's a comfy TV/reading room/workout area in the airy atrium with access to one of two upstairs decks. The light-filled primary bedroom has a perfect little deck overlooking the back yard, with sweeping views and a look at the nearby inlet. Two separate, self-contained vanity areas each feature skylights and quartz countertops, and bring just the right balance of togetherness along with areas for getting prettied up in private. A wall of fine, custom built-in drawers and cabinets mean there is a perfect place for everything, including shallow drawers for smaller items like jewelry and cosmetics. One of the two full-size closets is very large, with doors that slide open to reveal the entire space, so you can see everything when you're debating on what to wear. Another upstairs bedroom feels especially serene, nestled in the treetops, with light and bright south and west exposure. The third bedroom, currently being used as a bright, airy office, accesses a large, south-facing deck with views of Westchester Lagoon and the Chugach mountains. It's a perfect place to savor a cup of coffee, to admire the night sky, or to pound out some miles on the stationary bike. This home has been lovingly and meticulously cared for, and is being offered for sale for the first time ever.