Ayer Residence

The Ayer Residence is an 11,000-square-foot French Colonial Revivalist home in one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods. Built in 1927 for railway heir Langdon C. Henry, this 8-bedroom residence was designed by Elizabeth Ayer, the first woman to graduate from the University of Washington's Architecture program. Ayer's design is showcased in the home's grand front staircase, parqueted floors, and ornamental crown moldings.

When the current owners purchased the house in 2018, Parish Hadley-styled antiques adorned the interior. Despite its opulent furnishings, the house suffered from structural neglect. The roof leaked, and the original electrical circuitry posed a fire hazard. Lead-based paint and asbestos made the house hazardous. Our team required full PPE and respirators for even minor work.

We touched every room, including a complete gut renovation of the old servant's quarters into a primary suite with a large closet, bathroom, and nursery. We added a new wing with an updated kitchen, pantry, and bar. Exterior improvements included new landscaping, a pool, and converting the carriage house into au pair quarters with a new kitchen and bathroom. Structural upgrades included two new boilers, radiant heat, AC on the upper floor, and new steel supports for new patio doors.

The remodel restored the home's former glory and ensures it meets modern safety and comfort standards, preserving its historic charm for future generations.