6608 N 46th St Tacoma, WA 98407
MLS #1986772

For Sale

$2,995,000

LiveWindhoverFarm.com
Windhover refers to a bird’s ability to hover in midair. In the poem, the narrator admires the bird as it hovers, suggesting it controls the wind like a man may control a horse.

Windhover Farm is majestically situated to you as you hover above the views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains beyond. You are captured in time as it stands still for a second, and your heart drops. Then, the views take your breath away and fill you like a bird to its prey. Welcome to Windhover.

Windhover is the legacy and creation of James Wiborg. Here, he created a “honeymoon cottage” for his bride, Ann Rogers Wiborg. The cottage was created on land that came as a wedding gift to the couple from John and Hazel Wiborg. What began as a cottage has morphed into an iconic Tacoma area property that is a unique sight to behold.

The adjective cottage no longer applies as the home is now nearly 8,000 square feet and is only one part of what the Wiborg family created here. Avid hobbyists in raising sheep and horses, gardening, local history, and astronomy have created Windhover Farm. Mr. Wiborg created Windover Lane right on the property.

The farm portion of the property includes.
• Garden and potting buildings
• Chicken Coop with “egg room” for storage
• Ewe Barn for raising Sheep
• Ram Barn for breeding sheep
• What we call the “barn-barn” --4 horse stalls, wash racks, tack room, and carriage storage area.
• The Observatory is part of the barn; many mistake it for a silo.
• Caretakers’ quarters.
• Charming WINDMILL. This could be the perfect play structure or leave as is, an art piece of artisan craftsmanship

The MAIN home has transformed into a unique residence that marries the water and mountain views to an incredible in-city escape. From the gated entry, you bypass overflow parking areas that make parties, holidays, and entertaining a breeze. When you wind to the home, you are greeted by a classic, single-level home clad in stone. Stone that was once the siding for the ‘OLD Tacoma Library’. The Wiborg family embraced local Tacoma and salvaged the siding for their home.

Through the original front door of the 1941 cottage, you are greeted by a classic foyer with accent lighting and timeless grasscloth. Beyond that, you will find the large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the massive views and magical sunsets. One of several fireplaces will also be found in this room and the adjoining dining room. The dining room takes in the same views, overlooks a covered outdoor dining area, and even provides a smartly designed linen closet. The dining room flows to a solarium room—view side of the home with a free-standing type of gas stove and dry bar. This is the perfect room for morning coffee or that evening glass of wine.

Conveniently nearby the solarium room is a junior suite. This bedroom suite has its own bath and walk-in closet, perfect for staff, guest quarters, or even somebody who wants to be tucked away from it all but close to the heart of the home.
The KITCHEN is well laid out and appointed.

Efficiently designed to support a grand event with its overflow utility room, the kitchen can do it all or allow for an intimate breakfast in the nook. It’s smartly equipped with an electric range, gas range and oven, microwave, ice machine, trash compactor, and even 2 warming drawers—not to mention the subzero refrigerator. The utility room is nearby with its fold-down desk, extra counter space, and laundry. This utility room leads to the garage with a restaurant-sized, walk-in freezer and an oversized workshop area, complete with a ½ bath.

Opposite the living room is the den and MAIN BEDROOM wing. The den is classic and intimate yet generous, exuding warmth from the wood, custom carpeting, and plaster/wood-clad ceilings. The den is the perfect spot for that sip of brandy by the fireplace.

The MAIN BEDROOM wing flows from the sleeping area to the dressing room and into two classic and private en-suite bathrooms. This main bedroom is clad with outstanding grass cloth and has floor-to-ceiling windows. Here, you will wake up to views of the Narrows passage of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Further on, in this wing of the home, you will find a wheelchair-friendly bathroom with a washer and dryer and 2 additional bedrooms.

The LOWER LEVEL of the home provides those areas that make the home complete. Here you will find another junior suite. This bedroom—with its own bath—has a full view of the swimming pool and beyond. Two pool bathrooms are at hand as well, with private showers. A large recreation room with a full second kitchen resides near the home—perfect in scale for parties, tv watching, and even playing a game of pool. The swimming pool is through a large sliding door. Beyond the recreation room and through an antique door, you will find tons of storage, a staircase leading up, and the ultimate wine room.

The WINE ROOM is large enough to accommodate a dinner party. Imagine friends coming together among your wine collection, a mere xx bottles. Details were not overlooked here with a wet bar, security cameras, lighting, and hand-scraped beams.
The MAIN HOME is complete with security cameras, thoughtful lighting inside and out, generators, and private and city water.

The home's orientation by the architect, Donald Burr, was a collective effort of architecture and nature. He considered the Snowcapped Olympic Mountains in spring, the Narrows Bridge to the South, and Puget Sound to the North. The sunsets over the Olympics and the reflection in the waters of Puget Sound below are a dance of natural beauty.

The CARETAKER’S quarters are tucked to the side of the property. The home currently serves as command central for the farm but is a functioning dwelling. The main level holds a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, and a utility room with a full-size washer and dryer. On this floor are two bedrooms and a full bathroom. The lower level holds the 2-car garage and huge flex room—great for everything from storage to staff meetings or even a bunk room. There is a ¾ bath on this level as well.

The COVERED BRIDGE ties to the Wiborg family's embrace of the Tacoma area history. Its massive scale would be the perfect space for events or even a car collection. The decking and underpinning of the covered bridge are from the historic 21st Street bridge in Tacoma’s Bridge district—cobblestone from the 21st Street Bridge of Tacoma can be found leading to the lower sheep pasture.

WINDHOVER FARM is situated on 1 tax parcel. Over 22 acres of irrigated forested lands adjoin the farm and are also available. The farm is the ultimate in-city retreat with commanding views; a true one-of-a-kind property.

The property is ideally located in proximity to the rest of the world. Nearby you will find the Narrows Bridge with access to Gig Harbor and Narrows Airport. In the other direction, world-class golf at Chambers Bay Golf Course and, of course, terrific services. Areas like Tacoma’s Point Ruston, Proctor District, and Theater district are all close. You will find easy access to places like Trader Joe's, Starbucks, unique dining, shopping, and marinas.

Windhover Farm is the legacy property that Mr. Wiborg created for the love of his wife. For the heartfelt gift on their wedding day, Windhover lets your life stand still, like the bird in the wind. It gives a space that brings your life and loved ones together, a comforting home where memories are made. These are the memories that we all hope for in generations to come. The sonnet of Windhover describes the bird as the metaphor of divine epiphany.

This is Windhover—the rarest of the rare.