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A wide wrought iron gate set in brick pillars marks the entrance to an exceptional piece of property on the shores of Lake Washington. Owned by the Canadian government, this distinguished residence has served as its Consul General’s official residence since 1976. The highly prized property, which is now available for purchase, features a stately 1928 brick house, one acre of exquisite grounds designed by the Olmsted Brothers, and panoramic views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. A driveway winds its way down to a Continental-style manor house, designed by noted Seattle architect Carl Gould. With the help of the Olmsted Brothers, Gould carved out a level area for the house on the hillside and oriented it to take in stunning views of Mt. Rainier. Privately situated, the house cannot be seen from the boulevard above. It has leaded glass windows, a gabled shake roof, and a paneled oak door with a cast stone surround. A two story entrance hall provides a dramatic introduction to interior spaces. The hall has wide plank, pegged oak floors and a winding staircase with wrought iron railing. A powder room off the hall has a sink set in a marble topped antique chest. Steps from the entrance hall lead down to a baronial living room with a vaulted beamed ceiling, tall leaded glass windows with transom lights, and a minstrel gallery overlooking the room from the second floor. A fireplace with a cast stone surround is set in a wall paneled in dark stained oak. On the opposite wall, French doors in a bay have a pleasing green aspect of mature plantings. More French doors open to an adjacent solarium. A recent addition to the house, this large space with tile floors and glass walls that maximize breathtaking views now functions as the dining room and easily accommodates grand scale entertaining. The solarium has access to a flagstone veranda and steps that lead down to a terraced lawn and the lakefront. The home’s original dining room, which is far more intimate in scale, is accessed from both the solarium and the entrance hall. This jewel of a room with a beamed ceiling and round arch doors has a Juliet balcony that frames water and mountain views. A butler’s pantry lined in built-in cabinetry for china, crystal, and linen storage connects this room with the kitchen. Updated in the early ‘90’s, the kitchen features granite counters and custom wood cabinetry. The kitchen is equipped for large scale entertaining with two gas range-tops and double ovens. A large island with counter seating divides the kitchen and its adjoining family room. A picture window over the sink frames views, as does a floor to ceiling window in the family room. The family room offers a built-in computer desk and its own powder room. A hall on the second floor encircles the entrance hall and leads to the minstrel gallery that overlooks the living room. Two round arches delineate a sitting area that takes in views of the beautifully landscaped slope in front of the house. There are three bedrooms on the second level, two en suite. The guest suite has a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and a bay window with water and mountain views. Its full bath retains tile original to the house. A hallway lined with built-in cabinetry leads to two more privately situated bedrooms, including the master suite. The master bedroom has a Juliet balcony, dressing area with built-ins, and a full bath. An adjacent wood-paneled study with a fireplace features a built-in secretary. The third bedroom, which is ample in size, is served by a three-quarter bath. The light-filled lower level offers nanny quarters with a kitchenette, three-quarter bath, and access to a terrace. Off the lower level hall are a safe concealed in a closet, utility room with laundry facilities, furnace room that holds a hot water heater and gas furnace, both updated in the last five years, and large storage room that provides easy access to a greenhouse. This property’s grounds have been meticulously maintained and are historically intact as planned by the Olmsted Brothers. They are testament to the master landscape architects’ ability to blend formal garden design into splendid natural settings seamlessly. Manicured lawns are bordered by towering conifers, banks of rhododendron, and flowering trees. In addition to the entry drive, the house is accessed from the boulevard above by stone steps cut into the hillside. Terraced grounds with rock walls, a pond, and a sweeping lawn lead to 160 feet of waterfront and a private dock. Gravel pathways flanking the lawn reveal hidden delights like a secret garden with an old wishing well. This exceptional property represents a rare opportunity to own an architecturally significant home and Olmsted designed grounds on Lake Washington.