A home built in the 1920’s on was moved from its property on West Riverside Drive, next to Chateau Retirement Communities, to a single family lot just 600 ft. north of where it is currently located.

“Preserving this house is of paramount importance to us” says Jim Godfrey, founder and CEO of Chateau Retirement Communities.

The almost 2,200 foot house has been lifted from its foundation and moved over a temporary road to make room for a 76 unit multi-family building being added to the Chateau at Bothell Landing campus. The house has remained unoccupied since 2005 when Godfrey first acquired it with the land just east of the current senior living campus.

“It’s a residential home and the integrity of what the original owners did still shows,” said Joe Carlson, vice president of construction at Chateau Bothell Landing. “These historic homes add a lot to the community and we are glad to have it still located near our facility.”

Many residents of the retirement home came to watch as the Sorenson House was placed on it’s new property.

“I am so glad it’s being preserved because it is really great to see a part of Bothell’s history,” said Beverley Hawes. “The inside of the home is just beautiful, there is stunning beamwork, beautiful bookcases and many of the windows are leaded glass with insets of color.”

On March 8, 1995, the National Park Service certified the Sorenson House as a national historic site.

“We’re excited to move this beautifully crafted home to a lot where a family can enjoy it,” said Michael Schaedig, Chateau’s chief operating officer.

The “Sorenson House” was built in 1922 by Mr. James Sorenson on a gift of land from his father-in-law, Alfred Pearson, a logger and contemporary of David Bothell, the founder of the city. James Sorenson ran a woodworking, cabinet-making and contracting business and became a well-respected builder of many Craftsman style homes in Bothell.

“This is an important piece of Bothell’s history that we want to honor,” Schaedig said.