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Called a jewel at the lakeside, Kirkland is a city its residents are fiercely proud of! With four miles of frontage on Lake Washington, citizens have approved bond issues repeatedly so the public could acquire 25% of this lakefront for public use. With its many parks and beaches on the waterfront, Kirkland's residents enjoy a lifestyle unlike any other in the region. Homes and condominiums with lake views are numerous (and not inexpensive). All of Kirkland is within the excellent Lake Washington School District. Another thing that makes the community special is the abundance of public art, thanks in part to private citizens who have donated generously.
Kirkland was founded late in the 1800's by Englishman Peter Kirk! He intended to establish a steel mill there. It never did materialize, but his efforts produced the historic homes and buildings still standing and much treasured, and the platting (layout of property and streets) to accommodate the city it has become. Before the first bridge was built over Lake Washington, ferries ran between Seattle and the Kirkland waterfront. Downtown has numerous galleries, fine restaurants and boutiques, just a block from the water and the marina. You can walk down the public docks enjoying an ice cream cone, or take off your shoes and walk across the sand into the water with the children. Locals enjoy summer concerts at the water's edge (donation requested) as well as gallery walks and jazz nights. Stunning views across the lake are of the Seattle skyline, the Olympic mountains, and beautiful sunsets. Carillon Point is a waterfront development that sits on a former shipbuilding site on Lake Washington. It's a fabulous mixed-use project that includes a hotel, restaurants, boutique shops, office buildings with fabulous lake views, a marina, public fishing pier, and lovely walkways and open space. Every time I go there I feel uplifted! They sponsor free concerts at noon in the summer, a classic wooden boat show, and an arts fair, among other events.
Developers have several highrise condominium projects at various stages of completion with wonderful views and amenities, right downtown. They are selling like hotcakes! Some of Kirkland's neighorhoods and areas are Houghton, East of Market, West of Market, Rose Hill, Finn Hill, and Totem Lake. This is Donna's summary of Kirkland . . . for more information, scroll down to link with City of Kirkland, Lake Washington Schools, and other sources of information. |
