Situated between the charming boutiques of Upper Queen Anne, and the vibrant nightlife of Lower Queen Anne, lies a historic landmark undergoing renovation. The Leona, located on the corner of Ward St and Queen Ave N (with the quaint address of 1 Ward St), offers its residents the chance to walk to either, depending on their mood. Originally built in 1909, the timeless brick exterior of the structure remains intact. The interior however, is undergoing a complete transformation –  infusing a fresh, contemporary vibe.

During the Preview Event, interested visitors were witness to a simple and fun ploy to help them visualize the layouts. No walls existed – so kitchens, bedrooms and living areas were all defined in orange spray paint. What was evident was the potential views, especially from the upper floors. For units on the western side, a natural view corridor down Queen Anne Ave runs all the way to Elliott Bay.

Developed by Barrientos LLC, there are 18 units in the Leona. 13 are standard condo flats, with the smallest managing to still clock in at over 800 finished sq ft (>1,000 when including a below-height office space). The largest 2-bedrooms tip the scales at 1,425 sq ft.  The other five units are brand-new structures. Two 2-story penthouses sit atop the building. Each are 2br+den/2.5ba residences just shy of 2,100 sq ft. The three townhomes are between 2250-2900 sq ft, extremely spacious for Queen Anne. No unit in Leona prices out over $2,000,000, and units start at $375,000.

Leona’s luxurious finishes mesh well with Queen Anne’s sophisticated vibe. Stainless Sub-Zero fridges, Viking ranges and Bosch dishwashers are all standard, as are stone slab counters and stone tile bathroom floors. Wool carpets are in bedrooms with hardwoods throughout living areas. Rare in a smaller restored building, an elevator will be put in and the developer is creating a private parking garage.

Sales are currently underway, with a third of the building under contract.

Quick Facts:

1. Location: 1 Ward St
2. # Units: 18
3. Website: www.leonaliving.com
4. Pricing
   1. 1 bedrooms: $425k – $515k
   2. 1 bedroom + den: $640k-$695k
   3. 2 bedroom + den: $775k
   4. Townhomes: $1.295 -$1.895
   5. Penthouses: $1.895 – $1.995
5. Estimated Completion: Dec. ’07 / Jan. ’08
6. Structure: Brick