The Story Behind
A Masterwork of Waterfront Living on the Shores of Medina
There is a particular kind of confidence that defines the finest custom homes — not the confidence of excess, but of precision. Every decision deliberate. Every material chosen with intent. The estate at 3234 78th Place NE embodies that philosophy from its first impression to its final detail.
The approach sets the tone. A long, hedge-lined drive frames a stone-clad facade punctuated by dark-trimmed windows and a natural wood entry — an exterior language that is simultaneously grounded and refined. The architecture does not announce itself loudly; it earns attention through restraint and proportion. Step inside, and the scale of the vision becomes clear. A curved staircase with light wood treads and sculpted black metal railings rises through a double-height foyer beneath a cascading multi-tiered chandelier — a moment of arrival that is unhurried and assured.
The great room is the estate's undeniable heart. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame unobstructed lake views across the full width of the room, while a full-height stone fireplace anchors the interior with warmth and weight. Black-framed folding glass doors retract to dissolve the boundary between the interior and the covered waterfront patio, extending the living space to the water's edge in a way that feels entirely natural. The kitchen earns its place beside this grand room: a marble-topped island with leather bar stools, a dramatic black range hood, white subway tile backsplash, and glass pendants that illuminate the workspace. Above the sink, the lake appears framed like a painting — a detail that speaks to the thoughtfulness embedded throughout.
The primary suite commands its own wing with a composure befitting the rest of the home. Expansive windows draw the water and treeline into the room, while the en-suite delivers a freestanding soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower clad in large-format tile, a floating double vanity, and French doors that open to a private balcony positioned directly above the lake. It is a retreat within a retreat.
Below the main level, the home reveals its full depth. A dedicated gym with mirrored walls, a Rogue power rack, and lake-facing sliding glass doors keeps wellness central and connected to the landscape. A cedar sauna and spa bath complete the wellness suite. The rec room — anchored by a built-in bar and stone fireplace — is purpose-built for entertaining at any scale.
Outside, the estate unfolds across multiple levels of outdoor living. A covered patio with a stone fireplace and wood-paneled ceiling serves as a natural extension of the great room. A rooftop deck with panoramic glass railings offers elevated views across the water. A built-in grill station and concrete fire pit extend the entertaining canvas further still. And at the water's edge, a private dock accommodates a seventy-plus-foot yacht alongside additional watercraft — the final expression of a home where the lake is not merely a view, but a way of life.
Medina, Washington occupies a small peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, situated directly across the water from Seattle. It is one of the smallest cities in the state by area — approximately 1.4 square miles — and one of the most consistently recognized among the wealthiest communities in the Pacific Northwest. The city's population numbers in the low thousands, and its residential character is defined by large, private parcels, mature tree canopies, and an ethos of quiet, enduring exclusivity that has made it a destination for those who value privacy without sacrificing proximity.
The community's position on Lake Washington is central to its identity. The lake itself spans roughly twenty-two miles in length and was historically significant to the region's development, serving Indigenous peoples for millennia before becoming a focal point of early Seattle settlement. Today, the lake is a year-round amenity of the first order — a place for sailing, rowing, kayaking, and cruising that connects residents to both the natural landscape and a broader culture of outdoor recreation that defines life in the Northwest. Medina's shoreline, with its private docks and protected coves, represents some of the most sought-after waterfront real estate in the entire region.
Medina's location places it within minutes of some of the most significant commercial and cultural centers in the Seattle metropolitan area. Bellevue's downtown core — home to a growing skyline, world-class dining, and major retail — sits immediately to the south. The SR-520 floating bridge, one of the longest floating bridges in the world, connects Medina directly to Seattle's Capitol Hill and University District, placing the cultural institutions, restaurants, and commerce of the city well within reach. The University of Washington, with its medical center and research facilities, is accessible across the bridge. Bellevue Square and The Shops at the Bravern offer high-end retail within a short drive.
For families, the city falls within the Bellevue School District, which is consistently ranked among the highest-performing public school districts in Washington State. Private school options, including Bellevue's well-regarded independent institutions, are also accessible nearby.
The lifestyle that Medina affords is one built on the particular pleasures of living well in a place of genuine natural beauty. Mornings begin with lake views and the quiet that only a community of this scale can provide. Afternoons extend onto the water or into the trails and parks that characterize the greater Eastside. Evenings find their rhythm at waterfront tables in Bellevue or Seattle, before returning to a home that remains — regardless of what the day has held — a place of exceptional calm.
This is a community that has long understood what it means to live without compromise — close enough to everything that matters, private enough to feel entirely apart from it. The estate at 3234 78th Place NE does not simply occupy this setting; it is worthy of it.
Featured Highlights
Curated Content • Presented by Tere Foster

































