The Bellevue Luxury Team
The Story of 989
The Owner & Developer
Born in the former Soviet Union, Alex Raizman received his master’s degree in Computer Science from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, one of Israel’s leading research universities. He joined Microsoft upon arriving in the United States in 1998.
A senior software development engineer, he applied the same skills to the building of his own home. Three years later, in 2017, Alex acquired a neighboring property. With his vision and the same team, an architect, builder, and real estate agent, he created the 989 100th Avenue home – the home on the hill.
The Cascades and downtown Bellevue are the apparent sights from the home. Looking down into his backyard, one spots stacks of wood. Alex is also a skilled woodworker. He has milled some of the trees from the property and fashioned them into pieces of casual furniture. Some of them are on display in the new home on the hill.
The Architect
Tim Olson is the owner of the Kirkland architecture firm by the eponymous name. He received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Washington, in Seattle.
His undergraduate degree in economics neither led to a career in academics nor the business world. Instead, Tim preferred to design and build things, such as furniture, homes, and solar greenhouses.
In business for 30 years, Tim Olson has collaborated with Jeff Ireland for more than two decades. Their collaboration encompasses projects ranging from modest remodels to large, custom homes.
As a team, they responded to their client’s needs and tastes by delivering constantly a top-quality product.
Numerous repeat clients attest to their joined success.
The Builder & Contractor
Also known as Ireland General Construction, Jeff Ireland started in the building trade by restoring the masonry of historically registered places. The required attention to structural integrity and detail served him well to this day.
Jeff built his first homes in Seattle. After moving his family and business to Kirkland, he established an insider reputation as one of the best new home contractors on the eastside.
No longer a secret, his reputation is becoming more public. Jeff’s most recent project, a 4,000 square foot custom residence in Woodinville, will be published as a featured luxury home in the architecture and design section of Portrait Magazine. The three-story Bellevue home is his second project for Alex Raizman, the owner-developer. Rising next door above Alex’s new residence, Jeff points to the house on the hill with magnificent views with pride and joy.
The Designer
The daughter of a builder, Helen Smythe fell in love with the building trade at an early age.
She bought and remodeled her first home on Lake Washington in the 1970s and her second on a five-acre lot in Snohomish. From there, her work took her all over Washington and Oregon.
Helen’s choice of color, finishes, and features is what gives each home its character. Her thoughtful selection of everything, from windows, appliances, fixtures, doors, floors, cabinets, hinges, handles to paint, all in concert, transforms a house into a home.
Helen has worked with Jeff Ireland, the builder, and Tim Olson, the architect, over the past 20 years. From the concept to the final touches, her signature shows in everything that makes this Bellevue luxury home a masterpiece.
The Listing Broker
Born and educated in Europe, Gerhard Ade’s career spans three decades in marketing communications and two in real estate.
A branding expert, his most well-known design is the VIA logo for Canadian National Railways. His work in corporate identity for the Munich Olympics, Volvo, and TRW have won numerous international awards. After heading his own company for ten years, he served in senior positions at two leading global brand consulting firms in New York and Seattle.
Today, his design and writing skills are a tangible advantage for Gerhard’s real estate clients. His unconventional approach to listing homes has won him praise from his clients. Having repeatedly earned their trust, this is the fourth time Gerhard teamed up with Alex Raizman.
Gerhard Ade is a real estate broker with RSVP Real Estate ERA Powered.
Other Credits
Michael Berg, Landscape Design
Mike has been a landscape consultant and designer since 1999.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University in 1992. He credits his success to a “hands-on” approach which truly sets him apart from others in his field.
KCD Staging
KCD Staging is one of Seattle’s foremost luxury staging companies.
Karen Cervarich: As the owner of KCD Staging for over 14 years, I pride myself on providing cutting-edge, modern design that is both timeless and intimate. We love bringing out the best in your home with a little moxie and a whole lot of heart.
Photography and Videography
- Jesse L. Young – Architectural, real estate, and fine arts photographer.
- Baron Makanvand – iGuide virtual tour specialist
- Royden Lepp – Licensed First-Person Videos (FPV) drone videographer
- Blakey Polzin – Luminist Media, lifestyle videography
Automobiles for staging
John Anderson – 1969 Ford Mustang
Park Place Motors – 2021 Aston Martin DBX
Outdoor Display Sign
Aurora Prints
Marketing Assistants
Nicol Boettner (location)
Walter Powers (online)
Bob Junell (public relations)
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