Paul Allen Selling Allan Island for $13.5 Million

Source: Forbes

At first glance it appears to be a typo; Paul Allen’s private island is called … Allan Island? Someone must have messed up. However, according to The Seattle Times, the private plot of land off Anacortes, WA, was not named for the tech billionaire, but a Navy hero. Allen recently listed his private isle in the San Juans for $13.5 million.

Allen co-founded Microsoft in 1975 alongside another Seattle billionaire, Bill Gates. After Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1982, his day-to-day role at Microsoft diminished and on February 18, 1983, he resigned, but retained his seat on the board of directors until 2000 when he left for good. Allen owns a reported 138 million shares of Microsoft stock and his net worth, according to Forbes, is $13 billion.

In addition to owning several sports teams — the Seattle Seahawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and part of the Seattle Sounders — plus, one of the world’s largest yachts, Allen also holds a plethora of expensive real estate, including a huge compound on Mercer Island in Seattle, which is composed of nearly 9 separate parcels (this is his primary residence), as well as the former home of Rock Hudson in Beverly Hills, and an estate in Malibu.

In addition to Allan Island, Allen also owns another property in the San Juan Islands called Sperry Peninsula, which is located on Lopez Island. He purchased the property in 1996 for $8 million. Allen never built up Allan Island, deciding instead to develop his place on Lopez.

This isn’t the first time Allen has listed the island. In 2005, he put it on the Anacortes real estate market for $25 million. Without any offers, the property was removed. It was re-listed in the middle of August with a significant decrease in its asking price: $13.5 million. Median Anacortes home values have been dropping, they are currently $235,200.

The 292-acre island is known for its wild animal sightings, in particular bald eagles, coyotes and harbor seals. Located southwest of Anacortes, the only sign of development on the rocky isle is a caretaker’s cabin powered by a generator near the sole dock and grassy airstrip.

Besides breathtaking water views, Allan Island has views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains and surrounding San Juan Islands.

More Private Island Homes for Sale

If Allen Island is a little undeveloped for your tastes, there are a handful of islands that have homes for sale. Accessible only by boat — or by plane or helicopter — these homes take water views to an entirely new level.

Tract B Uss 3555 Private Island, Sitka Alaska (pictured below)
For Sale: $1,487,500

When most people think island, swaying palms and white sand comes to mind. However, one of the states with the most private island homes up for sale is Alaska. Located south of Juneau, Sitka is the fourth-most populated city in the state, which isn’t saying much since the entire state’s population is about 710,000.

This piece of Sitka real estate sits on a wooded island in Sitka Sound with Mount Edgecumbe as a spectacular backdrop. The two-story home has 2,700-square-feet of living space with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.

140 Wallacks Dr, Stamford CT (pictured below)
For Sale: $18,900,000

Forget the freeway commute to Manhattan; how about a boat ride from a private island in Long Island Sound? Built in 1909, the 14,000+-square-foot home sits on a 3.5-acre island and includes a guest cottage, staff quarters and working greenhouse. This private piece of Stamford real estate has terraces, gardens and stone seawalls throughout the property. Just like its mainland counterpart, living on a private island near New York is pricey; even with low mortgage rates, this home has an estimated monthly payment of nearly a $100,000, based on a 30-year fixed rate with 10 percent down.

1300 State Highway 32, Three Lakes, WI (pictured below)
For Sale: $1,950,000

Forget one island, how about three? Three islands create the barrier between Wisconsin’s Laurel and Medicine Lakes and they’re looking for new owners. The west island holds two boathouses and the main home, a 5-bedroom, 4-bath stone house built in 1934. The home features white oak floors and a stone wood-burning fireplace. But, according to the property listing, the home is in need of updates. The middle island holds various outbuildings, and the east island is mostly lowland, home to much of the area’s wildlife. So, what’s the cost of island living in Three Lakes, WI? This home was previously listed on the Three Lakes real estate market for $4.2 million; a recent price cut dropped it down 53.6 percent to $1.95 million.

Broad Key, Key Largo FL (pictured below)
For Sale: $20,000,000

This unique piece of Key Largo real estate may be the closest thing to a swaying palm and white sand island. Reportedly the highest point in the Keys, the 63-acre “ocean paradise” has views from every point on the property. The property includes a custom 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom main home, a guest and caretaker’s cottage as well as a helicopter pad, boathouse and separate 33-foot-long dock. Live nearly completely off the grid with the island’s private water storage, solar power generator, and satellite dish communication.

2202 Sawmill Creek Rd, Sitka AK (pictured below)
For Sale: $1,995,000

Connected to land by a 180-foot-long by 4-foot wide steel walkway bridge, this private island contains a  1,250-square-foot main home that was built in 2000 and includes vaulted ceilings, wood flooring and a covered in-deck hot tub. An additional home, built in 1950, has been completely updated and has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a custom kitchen with high-end appliances.

5560 Maple Heights Rd Greenwood, MN (pictured below)
For Sale: $3,495,000

The state motto is “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” so it’s no surprise that Minnesota has a private island home or two for sale. This home for sale is located in St. Albans Bay and has 1,188 feet of lake frontage. According to the property listing, the home is still under construction and is being sold as is. The walls of the 18,674-square-foot home are up, but additional work is needed to finish off the 4-bedroom, 5-bath home. The partially constructed island retreat is currently listed on the Greenwood real estate market for $3.495 million.

42 Birch Island, Greenville ME (pictured below)
For Sale: $650,000

Priced at $650,000, this island home is the most affordable on the list. Built in 1968, the property sits on a six-acre private island in Moosehead Lake. The sale of this rare piece of Greenville real estate includes a main home as well as guest cabins, boat house, dock, canoe and two motorboats. The log cabin-style main home features a stone wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors and extensive water and mountain views.