Filed under: News, Celebrity Homes, Selling
The dream for former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was to build a resort-like spread on Cougar Mountain with some of the best views in all of greater Seattle, including breathtaking glimpse of Mt. Rainier. So in 2006, after signing a $62 million contract with the Seahawks, Alexander bought a 5.8-acre parcel for $1 million and set up his own limited liability corporation called The Cougar Mountain House.
Back on the home front, Alexander -- the Seahawks' former MVP who led the Hawks' to their first Super Bowl in 2006 -- has given up on his dream home, but the reasons are all good. He has listed the land in Issaquah for $3.5 million. He said he was glad that he took his time and did not rush into spending money that would have squeezed his long-term financial security.
"Shaun and Valerie are now living on the East Coast," listing agent Carmen Gayton of Windermere Real Estate NW. "When he was traded to the Washington Redskins, they thought that they would possibly be returning to the Pacific Northwest, but found that they enjoy living in the Northeast. They have seven kids now and have built their lives in their community there making it a difficult decision not to return to this area," Gayton said.
Along with the $3.5 million purchase price comes plans for the mountaintop live-in "playground" that the Alexanders designed. Gayton said the couple purchased the 5.8 acre view property (pictured above) with the vision building a custom 10,000-square-foot estate for the family to include a sport court and amenities to make this place (their) private resort.
"This home would have had everything that someone would want in a custom estate from private guest quarters, four-car garage, sport court, swimming pool, media/entertainment center, six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, study, state-of-the-art kitchen, formal dining room and formal living room, family room and walking trails. Property itself sits at the peak of Cougar Mountain with stunning views of the water and Cascade Mountains," Gayton said.
Alexander said that with his family and finances in good shape, he might look to rejoin the NFL in some capacity. Meanwhile, his former teammate -- Walter Jones, who is also trying to sell his prize property back in Alabama -- was just elected to the NFL Hall of Fame.
Alexander's success in Seattle was in part due to the tremendous talent on the Seahawks' offensive line, so maybe the former Seahawks teammates can compare notes about how to score a real estate deal. Jones' has just dropped asking price on his Harvest, Ala., home from $3.5 million to $3 million.
More from Zillow about athletes' homes:
Plaxico Burress Takes Big Cut for Home
Saints Coach Sean Payton Lists Texas Manse
Rap King Reportedly Closing in on Evander Holyfield's Home
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