Listings by Colin MacKenzie

Perched 200 feet above the shimmering waters of Colvos Passage on Vashon Island’s coveted west side, this exceptional 3-bed, 3.5-bath, 2,500 sq ft home offers a rare blend of natural splendor, thoughtful design, and effortless convenience. It was designed and built by a team of four engineers — and owned and maintained ever since by one of them — reflecting the precision and attention to detail you’d hope for, and then some. Madrona and fir lend a sense of seclusion rarely found so close to the water, while deer, fox, and coyote roam the wooded grounds. The home sits on a private, dead-end country road shared by just two full-time residents — most of the neighboring properties are second homes that sit quiet for much of the year. Vashon has long been known as a safe, close-knit community where neighbors look out for one another. Yet for all its privacy, the home stays remarkably well connected: Downtown Vashon is just a 7-minute drive, with West Seattle 20 minutes away, Tacoma 15 minutes, and mainland Western Washington about 10 minutes by ferry. The Pacific Northwest’s famously temperate climate shines here, with an average of about 75 days a year climbing above 70°F — plenty of long, sunny afternoons to enjoy from every deck and window. A true island sanctuary that never asks you to give up access to the city. Vashon itself is the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet, yet home to just over 11,000 residents — a rare pairing of scale and small-town intimacy. Outdoor life is abundant, with miles of forested hiking trails and quiet, rolling roads that make the island a favorite among cyclists. Its cultural life is just as rich: excellent restaurants, numerous art galleries, and an unusually large community of resident artists working across the visual and performing arts. The Vashon Center for the Arts anchors the scene with a performance hall, gallery, and year-round programming, complemented by lively farmers markets, two grocery stores, and two hardware stores. The island has even inspired its own literature, from Betty MacDonald’s beloved memoir Onions in the Stew, set on Vashon, to published histories of its people and past. Set squarely between Seattle and Tacoma, the island is a natural gateway to the wider Pacific Northwest.