
Seller's Agent in 2021
Kevin Taylor
RE/MAX
(907) 244-7437
144 Total Sales
Serenity in Sitka...Mertz Island is 3.75 private acres of scenic bliss.A 10 min boat ride from Sitka Harbor takes you off grid to a protected cove w/a secure dock and a unique blend of raw Alaska & luxury living.New Pan Abode block house sits high facing Sitka Sound while the waterfront guest cabin overlooks the beautiful bay. Beaches,wildlife & premier fishing!24/7 power+high speed internet,too!The two houses on this property offer two uniquely different experiences on the island...and can comfortably sleep 12. The waterfront guest cabin is in full view on the bay side of the island as you tie up to the secure boat dock. The boat ramp leads up to an expansive porch or summer sun deck offering panoramic views of the protected cove where the water turns turquoise in the afternoon sunshine. Wildlife thrives on this side of the island in its own ecosystem of sea stars, otters, bald eagles, heron, whales, mink, deer...
The 1,013sf cabin is an open layout downstairs with vaulted ceilings and two walls of windows to take in the gorgeous views. Full kitchen is stocked with a propane gas oven range and refrigerator, lots of cupboard space and a Bavarian style Stammtisch dining table. A cast iron wood stove and kerosene oven heat the entire cabin. Knotty pine walls accent the spacious living room, and a pull out couch provides additional sleeping options for extra guests. The main floor has two bedrooms, a full bath with a walk-in shower and a large utility room. The entire upstairs is an open loft bedroom with 4 beds, artistic European inspired curved wood cut-outs in the safety rails and outside access to the wooded hillside on the back of the house. Some of the island's natural resources are integrated into the cabin decor like a drying line made out of logs and branches on a pulley system...and bath towel racks built out of wooden boat paddles.
While the guest cabin feels like a casual beach house of sorts, the main house offers an entirely different vibe...sitting high on the hill among Sitka Spruce and Hemlocks...it's like a tree fort, but with fine finishes and high quality construction. There are several paths to get there depending on your mood. Choose a curved wooden walkway that hugs the edge of the bay above the rocky shoreline...
Or explore the natural moss trails between the massive Sitka spruce and hemlock trees up the hill through the woods. The base of the main house comes in view as you trek up an impressive multi-flight of cedar stairs and look-out landings to reveal a recently finished 1,556sf Pan Abode block custom built house. An expansive wrap around cedar deck offers views of Sitka Sound on one side and the scenic cove on the bay side. Custom interior features throughout include imported tile floors that transition to authentic solid bamboo brought in from China. Hand crafted stucco wall finishes. Thermal pane energy efficient windows with a lifetime guarantee. Knotty pine ceilings, LED lighting, Douglas fir solid wood doors and trim and a striking fir staircase showcase the high quality construction materials that add warmth and beauty to this hillside island tree house. The kitchen was professionally designed by a master chef to include a Gaggenau 5 burner stainless steel cooktop with a wok and restaurant type convection oven, a Kitchen Aid microwave, commercial grade stainless hood, dishwasher and energy efficient refrigerator. Hickory cabinets with soft close drawers and a well designed built-in pantry help keep the kitchen tidy and organized. Stacked granite tops imported from Germany provide ample counter space that's not only stylish, but functional for the active cook while at the same time maximizing space. A kitchen floor hatch opens to the water cistern for direct access to 6,000 gallons of filtered water. The dining room off the open kitchen showcases a panoramic view to Sitka Harbor. Vaulted ceilings and huge prow front picture windows in the main living area flood this home with natural light. A state of the art Italian Walltherm high tech water bearing wood stove is piped to heat the entire house...an $8,000 system to ensure cozy comfort inside even on the coldest, wettest days outside. A generous laundry room next to the kitchen and dining area includes a full size Whirlpool electric front loader washing machine and a coordinating Whirlpool gas dryer. The room is stocked with home cleaning supplies like brooms, buckets and window washing materials. Just off the living room is a roomy office with 2 built-in desks, shelving/storage, high ceilings and panoramic views that will help make "work" a little more relaxing. A spacious guest bedroom trimmed with custom wood accents and a king size bed plus a full bath with a granite vanity and oversize walk-in shower complete the first floor. The entire upstairs is dedicated to a sprawling vaulted master suite with picture windows, king size bed, a huge walk-in closet with windows for daylight and fresh air, built-in organizers and a dressing area. The ensuite master bath offers a double granite vanity with hickory cabinet storage plus a linen closet, 2-person walk-in shower and a luxurious corner soaking tub perfectly positioned to soak in scenic Sitka Sound while washing away all of your worries from an earlier day. There is also a utility room that comes with a full size washer and gas fired dryer.
Both houses are TURNKEY and ready for occupancy. Fully stocked with generous high quality inventory of bedding and bath linens, kitchen cookware and utensils, cleaning/service equipment, professional tools and equipment for building maintenance and hobby activities. There is an ample reserve of construction materials to keep the property in top quality shape inside and out.
This Mertz Island property is fully self-contained - powered by two 3,000KW Honda generators, a 24V battery bank, a Xantrex Inverter and a 2,000 liter water storage tank. There are satellite dishes for TV if desired and a Ubiquiti Network Dish for high speed internet access. Cabin style outbuildings dot the property to include a work shop, storage building, mechanical room for power supply, and a utility deck on the bay side with a 1,000lb rated Davit to move heavy fuel and equipment. Both the main house and cabin have full strength plumbing capabilities with traditional faucets and flush toilets sourced by rainwater collection tanks, filtration systems and hot water tanks. You can comfortably enjoy the remote island lifestyle seasonally or year-round without sacrificing the comfortable basics of city life like hot showers, flush toilets, clean drinking water...and dishwashers.
For the wastewaster system, both the house and cabin have a septic tank, to which all waste water (black and grey) is connected.
The effluent runs via submersible 4" waste pipe towards the bay, which is washed out twice daily by the tides.
During occupancy, sellers add essential microorganisms (EM1) for septics, which helps to delude the sludge in the tanks and eliminates the need for pumping service as used in traditional septic tank systems.
Mertz Island's location and size are about as perfect as the pristine water and mountains that surround it. 10 minutes by boat from Sitka...close enough for a quick and easy trip into town when needed, but far enough out that cruise ship passengers, kayakers and weekend campers aren't able to reach your private beaches. Because it's off the grid, it maintains its character as a pristine "last frontier" jewel. The island is small enough to miss the list of must-see exploration spots for outsiders, but just large enough to offer you a new adventure every day. There are two private beaches on each side of the island with outstanding fishing, tide pools, and hidden trails that wind through the woods. Wildlife abound from the sea to the trees, from the mossy trail floors to the sky above...and endless beauty surrounding you on this quaint island paradise you ...
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Date | Event | Price | Change | Sq Ft Price |
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09/24/2021 09/24/21 | Sold | -- | -- | -- |
06/03/2021 06/03/21 | Pending | -- | -- | -- |
08/26/2017 08/26/17 | For Sale | $1,250,000 | -- | $487 / Sq Ft |
Seller's Agent in 2021
Kevin Taylor
RE/MAX
(907) 244-7437
144 Total Sales
Seller Co-Listing Agent in 2021
Alison Lane
RE/MAX
(907) 351-7832
134 Total Sales
Buyer's Agent in 2021
Bennett McGrath
Anchor Properties
(907) 518-1482
263 Total Sales
S
Buyer Co-Listing Agent in 2021
Suzanne Jasso
Beloved Alaska Realty
(907) 738-8544
27 Total Sales
Source: Alaska Multiple Listing Service
MLS Number: 17-14946