A Tour of the Thoughtfully Designed Townhouse with a Mother-in-Law Apartment
Every now and then, my husband Jeffry and I enjoy visiting open houses, whether for existing properties or new townhouse developments in Seattle. These outings help us figure out what we appreciate or find lacking in each townhouse, considering factors such as design, layout, construction quality, and functionality. Recently, we’ve been watching a new townhouse development located not far from our home. We've been following its progress eagerly, from the demolition of the old 40s-era house to its eventual completion. Last Saturday, while running errands around the city, we stumbled upon an open house for the development. Curious, we decided to seize the opportunity and take a tour. To our delight, the townhouse surpassed our expectations, showcasing thoughtful design elements that set it apart from others we've seen. In this blog, we'll delve into what makes this townhouse so exceptional and how it stands out in comparison to others in the area.
Taylor Court Residence Townhouses. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
This townhouse development, known as Taylor Court Residence, boasts a refreshingly modern and minimalist exterior, evoking a distinct Scandinavian vibe. The sleek design stands out amidst the surrounding neighborhoods, thanks to its fairly monochrome exterior palette of black and charcoal, which I’m personally drawn to. There’s some simply landscapes space around the entrances to the units. There are eight separate entrances for four townhouses, which I’ll describe the reason why below.
Taylor Court Residence townhouse shows a mother-in-law apartment on the first level. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
As we stepped into the unit hosting the open house, we were greeted by an unexpected surprise: the first level was actually a completely separate apartment. Spanning just over 400 square feet, this micro-apartment boasted a fairly generous living area complete with a kitchen, a bedroom, and a full bath. This concept was quite novel to us, particularly in Seattle. The realtor hosting the open house, Daniel Giner, who works under Junior Torres of Windermere, enlightened us about the versatility of the apartment as a fully separate entity from the main living area. It could serve multiple purposes, from rental income through long-term leasing or Airbnb to a functional workspace, offering additional revenue streams for townhouse owners. Alternatively, one could opt to integrate this space into the main townhouse by tearing down a wall to connect the units together, adding extra bedrooms or a lounge area, even if not intending to generate income. Despite its compact size, we found the apartment to be surprisingly comfortable during our walkthrough, with ample space and separate entries ensuring complete privacy from the rest of the townhouse. The separate apartment is also completely isolated on it’s own utilities, perfect for renting or leasing.
Home office on the second floor at Taylor Court Residence. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
Ascending to the second floor of the townhouse, we discovered a well-appointed space featuring a bedroom, a full bath, and an open den, versatile enough to serve as a home office or small family room. Despite the narrow exterior of the townhouse, both the bedroom and den felt surprisingly spacious. What caught our attention was the layout; unlike many other townhouses in Seattle where the main level is typically situated on the second floor, here it differed. Traditionally, homeowners prefer the main level to be closer to the front door for easy access and to promptly respond to visitors. This deviation intrigued us, showcasing a unique design approach tailored to different functional needs compared to the standard townhouse layout.
The living/dining area on the main level of Taylor Court Residence on level 3. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
As we ascended to the main level on the third floor, we were greeted by an generous living area that included a dining space and kitchen. The size of the living space was pretty generous and offered different options for furniture arrangements and a small dedicated dining area. What excited us most was the potential for customization; envisioning possibilities such as adding a fireplace or incorporating built-in shelves or cabinets filled us with a sense of creative freedom. Additionally, the space boasted a large window, flooding the area with natural light and providing great views of Lake Union and its surrounding neighborhoods, including South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and Eastlake.
Scandinavian style kitchen at Taylor Court Residence on level 3. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
A Scandinavian-style kitchen, designed in an L-shape to optimize the townhouse's layout was also on the main level. Despite its efficiency, the kitchen retained a spacious feel, leaving room to incorporate a narrow kitchen island or table for additional workspace or to relocate the dining area from the living space. One striking feature of the kitchen was the abundance of windows, which flooded the area with natural light, enhancing the brightness of the main level. Surprisingly, this kitchen stood out from others we've seen in Seattle due to its inclusion of a sizeable pantry cabinet—a rarity among townhouses in the area. My husband is a pastry chef and does most of the cooking at home, so having a pantry cabinet is a non-negotiable necessity for us.
Primary bedroom at the Taylor Court Residence level four. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
Ascending to the fourth and top floor of the townhouse, we discovered the primary suite and deck. The primary bedroom was a comfortable size, easily accommodating a king-sized bed along with a cozy reading nook, as depicted above. It also featured a spacious walk-in closet and a well-appointed primary bath. The bath included a double sink vanity, complemented by narrow windows on the side and near the shower area, inviting plenty of natural light indoors. While there wasn't a bathtub, the shower area was generously sized and practical, despite its narrower configuration.
The deck at top of the Taylor Court Residence that shows the view of Seattle skyline. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
Stepping onto the deck adjacent to the primary suite on the top floor of the townhouse, we were greeted by a breathtaking view of the Seattle skyline, including the iconic landmark, the Space Needle. The deck itself isn’t overly large but provided enough square footage for a small outdoor sofa and a pair of chairs, perfect for soaking up the sun (or perhaps even enjoying a rainy day) or entertaining guests. It also served as an ideal vantage point for witnessing the Space Needle's renowned New Year's fireworks display or the Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Union.
Taylor Court Residence in Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. Photo credit: Brandon Larson at Clarity NW.
After completing our tour of the townhouse, we were thoroughly impressed by its impeccable design. I must confess, when construction began, we had initially underestimated its size from the exterior, assuming it would be fairly tiny. However, as the saying goes, 'don't judge a book by its cover.' We're grateful we decided to explore further, as the interior exceeded our expectations, offering more space and elegance than we had anticipated. The only drawback we found was the absence of a garage. Credit is due to the developer, Halverson Design Build for their exemplary work on this project. We hope to see more townhouses of this caliber in Seattle and utilizing a different floor and design plan to accommodate those looking for alternative income streams or have differing need for their living situation than what a traditional townhome may provide.
Taylor Court Residence comprises four units, including MIL apartments. Daniel and Junior, the realtors, have graciously provided a digital brochure below, offering further details about the townhouse, including additional photos and floor plans. You also can see the listing here.
