Patti Payne's Cool Pads: Sale of late C. David Hughbanks estate echoes philanthropic legacy
Proceeds from the sale of the C. David Hughbanks estate, which includes his recently listed home, have been earmarked to help fund scholarships for Washington colleges and vocational training programs.
Hughbanks, who died in July at age 87, was a giant in philanthropy and civic affairs in Seattle. The sale of his estate, which is valued at $5 million, will be donated through a trust to Ballard High School Foundation and the Seattle Schools Scholarship Trust.
Part of that estate includes the family home, built in 1931, where Hughbanks lived his whole life. It is listed at $2.05 million.
His second cousin Ann Fitzmaurice describes the home as “absolutely gorgeous,” filled with art, overlooking Ray’s Boathouse and stunning water views.
“We’ve been doing Thanksgivings and Christmases at that house forever,” she says, “and he always insisted on sitting at the kids’ table. He loved being around us, loved our stories. He was jovial and all about having a good time.”
The 3,210-square-foot Ballard home includes lush gardens with multiple entertainment terraces.
“He was a master host and people loved to come there and sit on his patio. And he was a master gardener. His gardens were his pride and joy,” she said.
A volunteer with Seafair when he was young, Hughbanks was an events coordinator for the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle.
He helped create two art events — Bumbershoot and NW Folklife Festival — and held key leadership positions on more than 50 civic organizations, including PONCHO (Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural and Charitable Organizations), ACT (A Contemporary Theatre), Pilchuck Glass School and King County Arts Commission.
His company, C. David Hughbanks and Associates, served as a consultant to businesses such as the Olympic Four Seasons Hotel (now Fairmont Olympic), the Westin Hotel and the Bellevue Art Museum, and it helped with the 1977 opening of the Seattle Aquarium.
He organized and managed the “Moscow: Treasures and Traditions” art exhibition for the 1990 Seattle Goodwill Games, said to be the largest collection of Russian art to ever leave the Soviet Union.
And he became executive director of Magnuson Park, and later headed the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.
“He wanted everybody and especially Seattle, to be the best they could be,” Fitzmaurice said.
Brokers Andrew Hafzalla and Maria Torres-Hafzalla with Kelly Right Real Estate have the listing.
