Floating History: Inside a Jessup-Designed Lake Union Home

If you've ever walked the docks at Hamlin Pier and wondered what it's like inside one of those classic Lake Union floating homes, here's your chance to find out. This one has a story worth telling.

Back in 1975, the Seattle Times featured this houseboat in its Home of the Month series, and the writeup nailed it in four words: "just plain lots of fun." The original owners, Stan and Carol Clark, were avid boat racers who wanted to moor their 24-foot sailboat right next door so they could set sail whenever the mood struck. Sounds like a pretty good life.

They brought in architect James A. Jessup to make it happen, and Jessup knew floating homes better than almost anyone. He bought his first houseboat on Lake Union back in 1964 for $300, and went on to become one of the most influential designers of architect-built floating homes in the city. His portfolio includes his own beloved home (sold last year after just five days on the market) and the Carner-Edwards Boathouse, which got its moment of fame in Sleepless in Seattle.

This particular home is a great example of what Jessup did best: making small spaces feel expansive. At just 1,200 square feet, the layout uses what he called "interlocking spaces" to stretch the home upward instead of outward. A split-level staircase winds gently from the entry up to the primary bedroom, with short flights connecting each level along the way. Windows wrap around every floor for water views, and skylights over the kitchen sink and primary bed add even more natural light. One especially clever touch: Jessup suspended the upper bedroom on steel rods, creating a window well that lets light pour into the living room below.

The current owners have lived here for 35 years and kept the home's original character beautifully intact. Horizontal cedar paneling runs through most of the interior, giving the place a warm, cohesive feel from top to bottom. A flared freestanding fireplace anchors the living room corner, and built-in details are everywhere, from the bathroom vanities to the kitchen cupboards to a cozy window seat made for watching boats go by.

And there's still plenty of fun to be had here, just like in 1975. The sale includes a recreational boat, so you can hop in and explore the lake whenever you like. Or climb the retractable ladder up to the roof deck for sweeping views of the Space Needle and Gas Works Park across the water.

This post was based on information found on Seattle Met.