A Tom Kundig Masterpiece Returns to Market
When the Jim Voelker estate at 415 Shoreland Drive SE relisted in October 2024, the architecture world took notice. This wasn’t just another Bellevue waterfront mansion—it was a Tom Kundig-designed art deco landmark, and Brandon Larson of Clarity Northwest was brought in to capture it. Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography demands more than technical execution; it requires understanding how Kundig’s layered materiality—brick, mahogany, limestone, copper—interacts with light, water, and the Pacific Northwest landscape. Brandon delivered exactly that: a visual narrative that honors both the architect’s vision and the estate’s $21.5 million repositioning in a recalibrated ultra-luxury market.
The Property: Jim Voelker’s Bellevue Waterfront Legacy
The late Jim Voelker—former CEO of Infospace and president of Nextlink—commissioned one of Bellevue’s most architecturally significant estates. Built by Schultz Miller and designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig, the 8,980-square-foot mansion sits on nearly 2 acres with 135 feet of Lake Washington waterfront. Five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a two-boat dock, and art deco detailing throughout make this one of the rare properties where architecture transcends real estate and enters cultural territory.
Originally listed at $32.5 million in July 2023, the home was pulled in March 2024 and relisted at $21.5 million—a reflection of broader softening in the Puget Sound ultra-luxury market. According to listing agents Darius Cincys and Terry Allen of Coldwell Banker Bain, “The ultra-luxury market has softened since the property was last listed—buyers are more selective and record-level sales are fewer—so pricing at the top end has adjusted. This home itself has always been an extraordinary offering, but at today’s price it truly stands out as one of the best opportunities on Lake Washington.”
For context on Tom Kundig’s broader body of work, visit Olson Kundig’s portfolio. The Puget Sound Business Journal covered the property’s initial listing here.
Why Tom Kundig Architecture Demands Specialized Photography
Tom Kundig designs aren’t photographed—they’re interpreted. His work layers industrial materials with organic forms, blending brutalist gestures and Pacific Northwest warmth into something entirely singular. At the Voelker estate, that meant capturing:
- Art deco proportions with modern restraint
- Material interplay: brick against mahogany, limestone framing copper accents
- Waterfront integration: how the home engages Lake Washington without competing with it
- Kinetic elements: Kundig often includes moving architectural components—details that require photographers to think spatially, not just compositionally
Brandon Larson’s assignment wasn’t to document rooms; it was to convey how Kundig’s vision operates across scale, texture, and environment. That’s the standard for Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography—anything less undersells the architecture.
Brandon Larson’s Approach to the Voelker Estate
Brandon Larson is one of Clarity Northwest’s lead photographers for architecturally complex estates, and the Voelker shoot exemplifies why. His methodology for Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography included:
Timing and Light Control
Art deco homes thrive on dramatic shadows and warm tonality. Brandon shot during golden hour for exteriors, ensuring the copper details caught natural warmth without glare. Interior exposures were balanced to preserve the richness of mahogany and limestone without flattening contrast.
Perspective Discipline
Kundig’s designs reward geometric precision. Brandon used tilt-shift techniques to maintain vertical lines while emphasizing the home’s layered massing—critical for conveying the architectural rigor behind the aesthetic.
Waterfront Context
135 feet of lakefront isn’t just a feature—it’s the estate’s spatial anchor. Brandon captured angles showing how the home relates to the water: reflections at dusk, dock integration, sightlines from interior living spaces to the shoreline.
Material Fidelity
Copper oxidizes. Mahogany has grain variation. Limestone reads differently in shade versus direct sun. Brandon’s color correction ensured each material photographed true to its physical presence—essential for buyers who need to trust what they’re seeing before scheduling a tour.
[See Brandon Larson’s full portfolio here]
Gallery Highlights: What Brandon Captured
Entryway and Art Deco Detailing
The home’s arrival sequence sets the tone. Brandon framed the entry to show layered material transitions—brick to limestone to copper trim—while keeping composition clean and editorial. This is where Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography separates from standard luxury real estate work: the architecture IS the story.
Primary Living Spaces
Open-plan living areas with lake views required balancing interior exposure with exterior brightness. Brandon achieved that without HDR oversaturation, maintaining the art deco warmth Kundig intended while showcasing the waterfront connection.
Kitchen and Material Focus
Custom millwork, integrated appliances, and crafted cabinetry demanded close attention to detail. Brandon’s shots emphasized the tactile quality of finishes—something ultra-luxury buyers scrutinize heavily.
Waterfront and Dock
Aerial and ground-level shots demonstrated the property’s 2-acre scale and waterfront access. Brandon timed drone work to show both the estate’s massing and its relationship to neighboring properties along Lake Washington.
Exterior Twilight
The final set captured the home at dusk, with interior lighting glowing through art deco framing. This is the money shot for ultra-luxury listings—emotional, aspirational, and architecturally precise.
Image Alt Text Recommendations:
- “Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography entryway with art deco details by Brandon Larson”
- “Brandon Larson Lake Washington waterfront photography Voelker estate aerial view”
- “Tom Kundig architecture Bellevue luxury home interior photography by Clarity Northwest”
The Bellevue Ultra-Luxury Market: Why Photography Matters More Now
As Cincys noted, the ultra-luxury market has recalibrated. Properties at $20M+ are moving slower, and buyers are more selective. That doesn’t mean demand has disappeared—it means the bar for presentation has risen.
Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography of this caliber ensures that when the right buyer sees the listing, they understand what they’re looking at: a once-in-a-generation estate designed by one of the Pacific Northwest’s most celebrated architects, built by a top-tier contractor, and priced at a historic opportunity relative to replacement cost.
Comparable properties illustrate the trend:
- 3602 Evergreen Point Road: listed at $12.8M, sold for $9M (25% reduction)
- 3611 Hunts Point Road: listed at $18M, sold for $15.25M
These aren’t distressed sales—they’re market corrections. And in a corrected market, visual storytelling becomes the differentiator. Brandon’s work positions the Voelker estate not as a markdown, but as a strategic entry point into owning a Tom Kundig original on Lake Washington.
Why Clarity Northwest Pairs Brandon Larson with High-Stakes Listings
Clarity Northwest doesn’t assign photographers randomly. Brandon Larson gets properties like the Voelker estate because he consistently delivers what architecturally significant homes require:
- Architectural literacy: Brandon reads plans, understands design intent, and photographs accordingly
- Material sensitivity: He knows how to shoot copper, limestone, mahogany, and glass without flattening their character
- Timeline discipline: High-value listings can’t afford delays—Brandon delivers on schedule
- Editorial-grade output: His work holds up in Seattle Met, Dwell, and brokerage marketing at the highest level
For brokerages representing ultra-luxury properties—especially Tom Kundig designs—Brandon is the photographer who ensures the imagery matches the architecture’s significance. To see Brandon’s full portolio, click here.
Conclusion: The Definitive Visual Record of a Kundig Estate
The Jim Voelker estate is more than a Bellevue mansion—it’s a Tom Kundig landmark, and Brandon Larson’s photography ensures it’s remembered that way. As the property enters its next chapter at $21.5 million, the imagery becomes part of its legacy: a document of craft, design, and waterfront living executed at the highest level.
Tom Kundig Bellevue mansion photography isn’t about taking pretty pictures. It’s about translating architectural intention into visual language that resonates with the buyers who understand what they’re looking at. Brandon Larson did that—and Clarity Northwest is here to do the same for your next listing.
