Allen puts San Juans island on market for $25 million

One island getaway may be enough for billionaire Paul Allen, who has put the smaller of his San Juan Islands properties on the market for $25 million.

His 292-acre Allan Island — named after a Navy hero, not the Microsoft co-founder — is west of Anacortes and is known as a place to catch glimpses of bald eagles, coyotes and harbor seals. But not of people.

The island has remained virtually untouched since Allen bought it in 1992, according to locals, who say they haven't seen anyone on the property in years.

Wally Gudgell, a real-estate agent with Gudgell Properties LLC on Orcas Island, is representing the isolated property, which is sprinkled with driftwood and forest.

Gudgell, who has been selling island properties for 30 years, was the agent who sold Allen his other San Juans property, a large Sperry Peninsula site on Lopez Island in 1996.

That $8 million purchase caused controversy when it displaced a kids' summer camp that had operated on the peninsula since 1945. Allen offered to relocate the camp to Allan Island, but camp officials found its rocky cliffs unsuitable for children. The 387-acre Sperry property still serves as a private compound for Allen and his family.

Gudgell said Allan Island, where Allen originally intended to build a vacation home, became extra property because Allen "much preferred Lopez." Allen's spokesperson could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Allan Island has two miles of waterfront, seven beaches and 25 parcel lots ready for "development potential," he said. Each of the lots would easily sell for $1 million, Gudgell said, but the island must be purchased in its entirety.

Dick Britton, who has lived in Anacortes for 20 years and manages a marina near Allan Island, said he heard the buzz about the sale a few weeks ago.

"When he made the decision not to build on Allan Island but to go to Lopez Island, this island was pretty much surplus for him," he said.

"It's probably been available all along."

He was disappointed that Allen did not build initially in the area but said whoever purchased the island would have a great development opportunity.

The island has a private dock, an airstrip and a cabin home where owners can catch sunsets and sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains.

And it may be Allen's private getaway for a while longer. Gudgell said islands typically take one to three years to sell.

Christina Siderius: 206-515-5066 or csiderius@seattletimes.com