Why We Can’t Stop Dreaming About Three Tree Point
There’s a specific moment when you’re driving down the winding, tree-lined roads of Burien toward the water, and the trees suddenly part. The horizon explodes into a panoramic view of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains framing the background, and suddenly, your heart rate just drops.
Welcome to Three Tree Point.
If you spend enough time looking at Seattle-area real estate, you start to notice the same heavily-hyped neighborhoods cycling through the spotlight. But tucked away just south of the city limits is a coastal enclave that manages to feel like a secluded island getaway, all while hiding right in plain sight. Here is why Three Tree Point has quietly become one of the most desirable zip codes in the Pacific Northwest.
The Ultimate Puget Sound Lifestyle
Living here is fundamentally dictated by the water. It’s not just about having a pretty view out your window; it’s an entire lifestyle shift. Residents here track the tide charts the way other neighborhoods track traffic. Summer evenings mean beach bonfires, paddleboarding right off the shoreline, and keeping a casual eye out for resident orca pods cruising by. The salty air and the sound of waves hitting the bulkheads act as a natural buffer against the stress of modern life. It genuinely feels like you’re on a permanent vacation in the San Juans, without ever having to wait in a ferry line.
An Architectural Goldmine
But the landscape is only half the story. If you’re an architecture nerd, Three Tree Point is an absolute treasure trove. Back in the mid-20th century, the Pacific Northwest had a booming architectural movement, and a lot of visionary designers realized these steep, water-facing hillsides were the perfect canvas.
The neighborhood is dotted with incredible Mid-Century Modern (MCM) homes designed by prominent local architects who apprenticed under giants like Frank Lloyd Wright. These homes were explicitly built to harmonize with the Puget Sound environment, think low-slung rooflines, deep overhangs to shield from the winter rain, and massive walls of glass that blur the line between the living room and the beach. Instead of tearing them down for generic mega-mansions, the community has largely embraced and restored these historic MCM gems, giving the winding streets a distinct, timeless character you just can't manufacture.
The Ultimate Life Hack: Location
Here is the real kicker, and the main reason people fight tooth and nail to buy a house here: the logistics are almost unbeatable.
Usually, to get this caliber of beachfront tranquility and architectural pedigree, you have to move to a remote island or commit to a grueling two-hour commute. Not here. Three Tree Point sits roughly 25 minutes from downtown Seattle. You can finish a morning meeting in South Lake Union and be back on your deck watching the sunset over the water by happy hour.
Even better for frequent flyers? Sea-Tac Airport is barely 10 to 15 minutes away. You can practically hear your boarding group being called before you need to leave the house. You get the global connectivity of a major international transit hub without having to deal with the flight paths roaring directly overhead.
In a region where people are constantly forced to choose between a reasonable commute and natural beauty, Three Tree Point refuses to compromise. It’s got the history, the design, the water, and the convenience. Just don't tell too many people about it—we'd like to keep the secret a little bit longer.
A Perfect Example: 2111 SW 174th St
In a region where people are constantly forced to choose between a reasonable commute and natural beauty, Three Tree Point refuses to compromise. And if you want to see exactly what we mean, you don’t have to look far.
We recently listed an incredible property right on the water that embodies everything we love about this enclave. Tucked away on a dead-end street at 2111 SW 174th St, it’s a gorgeous estate boasting 60 feet of private Puget Sound frontage. Built in 1910 and evolved over the decades, it has the soaring vaulted ceilings, the unique architectural geometry, and sweeping waterfront views of Vashon Island. The grounds are full of vibrant Japanese maples and even a stone fountain right outside the primary bedroom. With a brand-new covered deck, a detached guest house, and a massive four-car garage for all your PNW gear, it’s the exact kind of rare, high-character waterfront home that makes this neighborhood so coveted.
Interested in seeing the listing? Here it is: 2111 SW 174th St, Burien, WA 98166
