Fairhaven

Rob LeRoy’s Guide to Bellingham, Part 8: Wall Art

The City of Bellingham is well known for encouraging and cultivating a vibrant artistic community. Venues like the Mount Baker Theater and Western Washington University host world-class speakers and performers, while small galleries, bars and restaurants display works from the many talented local artists.  However, some of the best works are actually to be found outside, adorning the walls of some of Bellingham’s most beautiful historic buildings. The walls of the city are host to a unique and varied collection of impressive, sometimes eccentric murals, some of which date back to the 19th century.  The wall art tradition in Bellingham is beloved and ongoing, with older classics carefully protected, and new works anticipated and encouraged.

Click on the thumbnails below to see the full-size versions. Click here for more full-size pictures from my gallery.

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Classy Pubs, Part 7: Hotels

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about Bellingham, WA or real estate, in general, please feel free to email Rob LeRoy directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

Fairhaven

Fairhaven Library Ready to Re-open After Renovation

The 105 year old Fairhaven Branch of the Bellingham Public Library is  ready to serve the public for another 100-plus years. Saturday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. there will be a re-opening celebration with tours and refreshments organized by The Friends of the Library.

The library has gone through a renovation project that has taken seven months, it has gotten an exterior face lift with new stucco, new windows and other improvements including a complete rebuild of the entire stone entrance staircase, a comprehensive flashing system, with new gutters and downspout.  The Fireplace Room on the lower level received a major structural lift when rusted metal poles were replaced with a new beam system and the grounds around the library were re-graded to direct water away from the building, as well as landscaping being rearranged to provide better air circulation to the sandstone foundation.

The Fairhaven Branch will open to new operating hours: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Sunday and Monday.

The Library staff want to remind everyone that most of the changes that occurred affected the exterior of the library – this was not the complete renovation originally proposed over a year ago. The building still requires some TLC to bring it back to its original glory, and some major structural improvements to address seismic issues, but those improvements will have to wait for a better economy.

Thanks for reading, feel free to leave any comments below. For more information about Michael Eisenberg read my bio.

Fairhaven

Fairhaven Condos: Thumbnail Sketches of What’s on the Market

Coming around the corner on I-5 at about 75 miles per hour to see the State Troopers happily waiting to greet you into Bellingham is hardly the first impression Fairhaven wants to make, but the underlying message is clear…..slow down. There’s something to see here.

And there’s plenty, which you can read about in the other Fairhaven articles on this site, but once you’re in, you’re in.

The challenge?  The hurdle?  There are a lot of places to live in Fairhaven, and a lot of condos to choose, some in buildings built in 1964  (Skyline House off of Boulevard), some in the last year or so (Waldron building, 2008).

Since Real Estate has beaten the “location” horse like it stole something from the beginning of time, I want to flesh out what it means in Fairhaven terms.

Walkability:  If you’re interested in a short walk to the stores right out your door, the Harris Square Buildings (2005) , Fairhaven Gardens Buildings, aka Finnnegan Way (2005), and the Fairhaven Square Building as well.   All have the brick-faced look that keeps Harris Ave and it’s neighboring streets with the quaint look that ushered Fairhaven through the last 100+ years, but with updated interiors. Caution: The Home Owner Dues on these condo units are something to keep an eye on with your purchasing budget as some of the units can push your monthly payment up to $500 more that you were expecting to pay.

Ocean View: The older buildings are going to have some of the better views, strictly from Super-positioning. The

idea that they were here first, had their pick of spots and perch looking at 180 degrees of San Juan sunsets are what’s going to account for most of the listing price. Buildings like Spinnaker Reach, the Skyline House, and  Riptide all have unsurpassable views, but older accoutrements.  If you’re looking for a higher level of comfort, you may have your work cut out for you (baseboard heat, formica countertops, 3 inch shag carpet, metal framed windows, and sliding doors). BENEFIT: they weren’t built in the last 4 years, and the listing price may have a little more margin to work with.  Whatever you offer, remember: The seller still has to agree with you.

Hidden Gems:  Buildings like the Creekside at Fairhaven, or Fairhaven Heights get overlooked yet still offer the proximity to Fairhaven, views mere moments from the front door, newer construction (2005, 2006), but aren’t front and center, and priced accordingly.

The condos inside these units are going to be as different as the owners, some ecletic, some simple, but they’re all looking to sell.  And with 190 days as the average of being on the market, their motivation might be increasing as the promise of spending the holidays somewhere else might be wavering.

Which is the oldest condo on the market?  E-mail me to find out. You might be surprised……

Fairhaven

23 Reasons that Fairhaven is Awesome

I love Fairhaven.  Here are a few reasons why…. Check the middle of the page for some neat pictures I took.  Sorry, but I’m not smart techie enough to post them anywhere besides the middle… I know it would have been cool to have them next to their corresponding entries, but whatever. This is only 2009, after all, what do you expect from me?!  Here we go:

1. The Big Beers at Dos Padres, esp. Dos Equis Amber.  I don’t remember exactly how big they are…but, then again, isn’t that kind of the point?

2. Melanie at Dirty Dan’s – Best bartender in B’ham. She is also an up-and-coming Bellingham Roller Betty, so proceed with caution. She can crush your head like a peanut… (Sad-faced update: Melanie has retired from bartending to pursue her new career with the Border Patrol.  Note- don’t try to order drinks from her when you are crossing the border…it’s not technically “legal”, as it turns out…)

3. Le Chat Noir (the Black Cat, for laymen/ non-pretentious L.A.-types)… On that note… I ate there recently and saw a guy in his late 50’s/early 60’s who looked like Robert Redford’s stunt double. He was well dressed- wearing, among other things,  a nice zip-up jacket with a Guns ‘N Roses logo on the front left. I still can’t decide what was stranger-  that this guy was wearing that jacket- or that the jacket existed in the first place.

4.  The Fairhaven Dog park – …also comes with bonus sewage treatment plant…

5. Pasta Carbonara at Mambo Italiano – tastes amazing…stays with you for hours…

6. Tony’s/ Harris Cafe… Still is, and always will be the best coffee around.

7. Village Books…  On the list again because they’re awesome…and because they were cool enough to re-Tweet my last post…

8. Avenue Bread Eggenue breakfast sammies.  Homemade English muffins, sausage, cheese and eggs. Is there a better way to start the day?  Well, I suppose that dream about being a millionaire super-hero could turn out to be true. That would probably be better.

9. Fairhaven Runners – Every pair of running shoes I’ve ever purchased. Great personalized service…and they never make fun of my beer belly. At least, not to my face…

10. Archer’s Alehouse – Best place that feels like Cheers, if Cheers was in England

11. Greyhound/train/Alaska ferry terminal – best place to from which to leave the best place in the world….or return to it.

12. The Waldron – If I had a million dollars… This is the perfect example of how to renovate an old, classic building… (Note: link leads to a site controlled by other real estate agents. Use extreme caution…).

13. Fairhaven Boardwalk – look at the picture….

14. Chrysalis Inn and Spa – Best place to stay if you like to listen to trains while you watch the sunset.

15. The Fairhaven bus – Most famous and oft-noticed place I’ve never actually been to for even so much as a cup of coffee. Note to self – stop by there soon for a cup of coffee.

16. Free Parking – Anywhere in Fairhaven – enough said

17. Gelato place…something something, gelato is good…

18.  The old Kalamalka tattoo/piercing shop – Best place to make strange decisions in college that isn’t actually there anymore. Plus, it’s in an old train car. Well…it was…when it was still in Fairhaven.

19.  On Rice Thai – Best Thai food in Bellingham, even though I still prefer their Samish Way location

20. Fairhaven Smoke Shop – old-school cool in an “I care more about my image than my health” kind of way… but hey, they actually have a website!

21. The Superstore – most ironically titled business in Fairhaven….or the World, for that matter… unless “super” is analogous to “biggest selection of 40’s”…

22.  Hippies with guitars. Stay strong, Brother. Don’t let the bastards grind you down! Peace.

23. Did I mention Boulevard Park? Oh yes, I did. I mentioned it in a fantastic article right here.

There you go…23 things that make Fairhaven awesome.  Be sure to click on the links and visit these businesses when you get the chance. They help to make Bellingham the best place to live IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!.  If you think I’ve missed anything, please let me know by commenting below.  Or, you can contact me directly at 360.510.2230 or by e-mail at rob@buyertours.com.

Click here for my Bio page and more of my articles.

Thanks for reading!

Fairhaven

Fairhaven’s Eatery’s

Fairhaven

Fairhaven Video Tour

The Fairhaven Historical District is in the south of Bellingham, It was founded in 1880 and is well-known for it’s architecture dating back to the late 1800s. It is one of Bellingham’s most desirable neighborhoods, with its proximity to the water and it’s quaint historic district. It features Marine Park with access to the Bay for kayakers and awesome views of the San Juan Islands.

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Fairhaven is also the site of the Bellingham Cruise Terminal which is home to the Alaska Ferry, and considered the southern end of the Alaska Marine Highway System. The Cruise terminal is also the departure point for summer passenger ferry service to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, British Columbia. Nearby Fairhaven Station is home to the Amtack Cascade that runs between Seattle and Vancouver and the Greyhound bus terminal.

Fairhaven’s beginnings are linked to the legendary “Dirty Dan Harris” who is said to have platted Fairhaven in 1883 and given it a name. At the end of the 1800’s, Fairhaven was a booming city where the small town was working growing itiself into the next hub city of the west, hoping to become the nortwest terminus for the railroad . Building was really booming, railroad tracks, commercial buildings, and hotels were all pupping up. When Seattle became the main transportation hub, the residents of Fairhaven were crushed and the city went into a depression for a short period of time. Within 10 years the Pacific American Fisheries, would build the largest structure in the state, a huge cannery to process the area’s bountiful salmon. Fairhaven was booming again.

Fairhaven was once an independent town, along with Whatcom & Sehome, they all merged with Bellingham in 1903 to become. the city we know today. Fairhaven has blossomed in recent years with growth of new retail space and businesses as well as lots of condos and the beautiful Village Green in its center where many local events are held as well as a Wednesday Farmer’s Market from June through September and the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema on summer Saturday nights.

Fairhaven’s old charm comes from it’s many old brick buildings remaining from the 1800’s. Many of them have been restored and the newer building in the historical district have been built of brick keeping the oldtime character.
There are lots of walking trails and Fairhaven Park close by as well as the northern end of the scenic Chuckanut Drive, with it’s access to Larabee State Park, as well as Padden Creek meandering through the neighborhood

Fairhaven

Step Aside, Virginia. Fairhaven is for Lovers*

Yep. It’s for lovers of shopping, lovers of quaint little restaurants, like Mambo Italiano, the new Mexican joint called Milagros (Jesse, why no Big Mama?) , and for dessert, cupcakes and gelato.  It’s like an upscale Food Court, except the kids are cooler, the food’s better, and there’s no Orange Julius. So, nothing like the Food Court.

Sure there’s the Black Cat, with their mood lighting and their Fondue, or you can go to Flats, the tapas place with butcher paper on the tables and crayons, and have her sign her first name with your last name, until you realize it rhymes.  Or freaks you out.  If you’ve struck absolute gold, and found someone in your life to share Fish and Chips with, hit the little red bus that sells fish and chips, and though the gazebo does have a maximum capacity for 9, if you look a little crazy, you could probably keep folks out. Crazy hat lady with the stink eye, I’m writing about you (should have taken the blue pill).

There’s a wine tasting option at the Old Fairhaven Winery (hint: no Boones or Thunderbird), share a book on which planets you’re from at Village Books, apologize for her home planet over a beer at Archer Ale house, and buy her make-up flowers at A Lot of Flowers.  More expensive than FTD? Yes.  But some times you need to say you’re sorry, or I love you, right then. Or your doomed. And wanting out of that doom as soon as possible.

And since it’s summer (cue the SUN!), we’ve got the movie series for the Outdoor Theatre Series .  Show that special someone your fun side, by either taking them to see Iron Man, a tremendous movie, with CGI effects, witty banter, and luxury vehicles from flying suits to the Audi R9 like you want……or you can see Mama Mia.  A musical three hours long that baby boomers can’t seem to resist standing up and dancing to with conviction not seen since the Hale-bop folks (Mr. Brosnan will not return calls to give you those hours back of your life, or the soul he smote when he decided to “do his first musical.”).

Bad life decision aside,  dinner has been eaten, apology beer has been drunk, flowers given, books read, fish and chips shared, stink eye given, the walk to Marine Park is paved with information, if you look for it. Little plaques that line the northern sidewalk give you an idea of what used to happen where you walked.

And you’ll pass the train station, where someday you could say goodbye, the ferry terminal where you could scream HELLO ALASKA! or Victoria.  Depends on your plans.

This town is limited only by your imagination, budget, and motivation.  Date night in Fairhaven is just about the same.

Fairhaven

Java in world class setting: Boulevard Park, Bellingham

Boulevard park has long been a great place to bring a picnic in the afternoon, or take your shoes off while taking a lunch break.  In 2008 the city allowed the small pottery studio to receive a new lease…that of Woods Coffee which has brought a new flavor to the park. 

Before the morning beverages arrived, the mornings at Boulevard were quiet and left to early morning exercisers.  And on the poor weather days left the park pretty much empty.  Now the park is greeted by early morning conversations over warm spiritous drink in all weather conditions.  Woods also offers free Wi-Fi to it’s customers which makes it a perfect place to get a little work done.

On this morning to the right we were greeted by several inches of snow at the park.  It was very pleasant to sit on the warm stone hearth of the fireplace and watch the park get covered in light, frosty crystals. 

This year another attraction will be completed at the Park.  It’s entitled “The Porch” and is designed for small productions of theater and musical attractions.  The workmanship is that of a true craftsman and is built for many generations to enjoy.

Allow me the pleasure of showing you around if you are new to the area, or if you are thinking of buying Real Estate in or around Bellingham.

Cheers,

Dale Kreiser

360-319-6365

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Fairhaven

$300,000 – $400,000 Single level living in Bellingham

Fairhaven

Fairhaven: Where Real Estate and Good Food…

go hand in hand.  When I’m not talking about the 37 Homes listed within 1 mile radius of Fairhaven ranging from $249,000 for a 2bedroom/1 bath home up to $3.5 million for an Edgemoor estate, more than likely food is on my mind.  Not a glutenous type of craving for mass quantities, but more of a healthy thought of what would be pleasing to the palate. 

On facebook a dear friend and classmate named Kim, from Eagle Point high school class of 84′ advised me to check out a friend’s Artisan cheese shop in downtown Fairhaven.  I don’t know about you, but I’m fiend for Gouda or Dubliner with a nice glass of inexpensive red wine, a few friends…Oh, so I finally went to check out Quel Fromage  yesterday. 

The shop is on the street level at the corner of 12th and Fairhaven boulevard in the 12 Street Village.  It’s within a few blocks proximity to down town Fairhaven.  Inside I was pleasantly greeted by Rachel Riggs the owner along with a wonderful assortment of wine, and but of course lots of fine cheeses.  It took me maybe 3 milliseconds to take focus on a chunk of Balarina Gouda cheese that was marked $9 for a half pound.  I must say that is some of the best cheese I’ve ever had.

Behind the counter you’ll find the French Proverb shown to the right…

“He who does not eat cheese will go mad”  

I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I’m not going to take the chance.

 Location, location, location.  You could hardly go wrong with any property that is close to Fairhaven.  From the terrific views of South Hill to the amazing neighborhood of Edgemoor, you would only be minutes away from some wonderful boutiques, fine dining, great coffee houses and many other sole proprietor businesses.

Allow me to give you a personal tour of my favorite place in the world.  Call me anytime.

Dale Kreiser

360-319-6365

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