The Ex-Microsoft Exec Who Outbid Cher for an Antique Archway Is Selling His $9.75 Million Seattle Estate

In 1997, Jonathan Roberts and his wife Elizabeth snapped up a 1924 sprawling estate in Seattle’s Washington Park neighborhood, quickly making it their own—including sourcing antiques and artifacts on jaunts to Europe.During the 3.5-year transformation, between 2000 and 2004, one of those finds (an ancient archway from Ireland) put them into a bidding war with musician-actress Cher—and they won. That archway is now on a corner of the property.The five-bedroom, 5.5-bath home has recently had a price reduction of $2,050,000, and is now listed for $9,750,000 and listed with Melissa Boucher and Deirdre Doyle of Windermere Real Estate Midtown.Since it was built in 1924, there have only been about four owners, including the Roberts. Jonathan Roberts was an early exec at Microsoft and one of the architects behind Windows."The realtor drove them up to the property and they said, 'Oh, this is the one'," says Doyle.Loading...The Seattle estate, surrounded by mature gardens and boasting water views, was built in 1924.Realtor.comLoading...By sourcing antique items from Europe, the owners created an Old World aesthetic. Tim Van Asselt from Clarity NorthwestLoading...Despite the home being 7,910 ...