The eclectic Coval House, built over a period of 16 years from 1984-2000, is set to be demolished soon, but parts of it will find new homes, according to a city press release.
The property was sold in 2014 to developer Wes Giesbrecht. The community was interested in plans to turn the five-acre lot into a 16-home development. Last July, the City Council approved the preliminary subdivision.
City staff encouraged extensive salvage procedures at the property given the unique nature of the structures, and the unprecedented quality of the building components and surrounding landscaping materials. Giesbrecht is donating one of these structures, the large hardwood trusses of the pool house roof, to the planned Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA).
The truss system based on a traditional Japanese roof structure known as Shinzuka and is crafted in solid Bubinga wood, said MICA Executive Director Louise Kincaid.
“We are planning to dismantle this extraordinary piece of art and craftsmanship piece by piece and lovingly store it off site until it can be re-installed in the grand lobby of MICA,” Kincaid said.
The wood was acquired in South Africa, processed in Germany and then kiln dried in Los Angeles. A crew of 10 woodworkers labored for over 18 months to create and install the trusses, which were joined and assembled one piece at a time on site.
General Contractor Foushee & Associates is donating the dismantling of the structure and HRP Properties is donating storage, Kincaid said. The MICA design team, led by architects Lesley Bain and Owen Richards, is incorporating the structure into the lobby.
“MICA is honored and so excited to be able to keep a unique part of Mercer Island history for the community and retain its beauty and integrity now and for years to come,” Kincaid said.
Along with the home, 206 trees will be removed to make way for the development, though 101 trees will be retained. The newly-created home lots will range between 4,500 and 12,000 square-feet.
Mercer Island’s Building Official, Arborist, Principal Planner and Sustainability Manager met with project managers on-site in early January 2015 to confirm the salvaging activities and plan for the protection of trees. Many significant or unusual ornamental trees will be moved and replanted after demolition and clearing activities, and the onsite pond will be protected, and will stay in its original position. Permits have been issued for the removal of a number of trees, including dead and diseased specimens.
Some of the items already salvaged include: custom doors, most built-in cabinetry, lighting, large amounts of ornamental stone pavers and boulders, most interior knot-free cedar paneling, interior copper wall cladding, solid copper gutters, clear knot-free old growth redwood exterior siding, various tropical hardwood pieces, a custom spiral wooden staircase, an enormous underground diesel generator and extensive amounts of single-pane glazing.
To learn more about the Coval property permits, call the city’s permit counter at 206-275-7605.
