Bonnie Brae

Bonnie Brae is nestled into a wooded hillside one-quarter mile from the center of Eastsound. It is the second neighborhood completed by OPAL. The name, “Bonnie Brae,” is a historic name for the property dating back to the 19th century; it translates from Scottish as “beautiful slope.”

The site plan clusters housing in a four-acre portion of the property to minimize impact on the land, preserve landmark trees, and protect the surrounding forest. This design supports both privacy and community. Prior to constructing the houses, OPAL had trees removed by horse logging in order to preserve more existing vegetation. Residents continue to steward the forest under a forestry plan developed by the San Juan Islands Conservation District.

“One of the best things about owning our home is the diversity of the Bonnie Brae neighborhood – single women, young couples like us with children, some older residents; it’s neat. And it’s a challenging learning process, too, communicating with people whose styles are different.” ­
– Bonnie Brae homeowner, mother, retail business owner

 

Completed 1999

Homes	Total Acres	Common Land	Average Lot Size	Smallest House	Largest House
24	12	9.75 acres	4,075 sq. ft.	945 sq. ft.	1,328 sq. ft.

 

Bonnie Brae Construction Costs, 1999

	WA State Grant	Federal Grant(s)	Donations/Foundations	Homebuyer Mortgages	Total
Dollars	$250,000	$350,000	$135,000	$2,293,250	$3,028,250
Percentage	8.3%	11.6%	4.5%	75.7%

 

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