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John Charles Olmsted worked closely with the architecture firm of Bebb & Mendel on the development of the Hyde estate at East Madison Street and 38th Avenue.

John Charles Olmsted worked closely with the architecture firm of Bebb & Mendel on the development of the Hyde estate at East Madison Street and 38th Avenue. In 1908, Samuel Hyde, who had built his wealth among many business ventures, including coal mining and liquor manufacturing, bought a large and prominent Seattle property to site his elegant home, intended for living and entertaining. He worked with Seattle’s Bebb & Mendel on the Neocolonial-style mansion’s design and hired the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1909 to design the landscape.

There is correspondence between Bebb and John Charles Olmsted clarifying that the Olmsted office would prepare the planting plan while Bebb’s office would prepare site construction documents. In further correspondence, Olmsted indicated locations of walks, offered his opinions on the height and design of the brick enclosure wall, advised that the drive and porte-cochere should be widened (with an adequate turning radius to accommodate motor cars to avoid damaging the structure), and adjusted elevations at doorways and terraces.

The planting plan prepared by Olmsted Brothers had several distinct garden areas, including a small formal garden with edging plants near the entrance on the west side of the house, and a rose garden, “with white roses in center, then changing to pink, then deep reds on the outer edges” on the north side. A large, open lawn area was defined by flowering evergreen shrubs along the edges. Vines were to grow both over a pergola as well as at the front of the garage to soften the effect of that structure. In correspondence, Mr. Hyde inquires about the intent and details of the plan then “adopted the scheme as a whole.” The Olmsted office was very specific about soil amendments on this property, recommending 18 inches of topsoil in all shrub and tree planting areas and at least 12 inches of topsoil in all lawn areas.

The original property was subdivided over time. The current property includes the original home with the adjacent lawn area and the brick wall still runs along the Madison Street and 38th Avenue property lines. In 1981, the Hyde Residence became a City of Seattle Landmark because of its distinctive architectural style. In 1994, the residence became the Russian Federation consulate.

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