Compact Modern Cliffside Home Offers Epic Views of Wenatchee River

This 1,500-square-foot vacation home in Leavenworth, Washington, is designed to maximize the limited construction area and prioritize simplicity and low-maintenance living.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Syndicate Smith has designed a compact modern home of just 1,500 square feet perched on the edge of a steep, wooded slope overlooking the Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington. Crafted for dual purposes—retreat and vacation rental—the design prioritizes simplicity and low-maintenance living, with a typical foundation supporting most of the house and a daring 6-foot cantilever over the precipice.

Why it matters

This cliffside home showcases innovative design that seamlessly integrates the structure into the natural landscape, allowing the surrounding scenery to take center stage. The home's compact size and low-maintenance features make it an attractive option for those seeking a peaceful retreat or a profitable vacation rental property.

The details

The home features floor-to-ceiling picture windows along the cantilevered facade, creating an exhilarating sensation and amplifying the connection to nature. A board-formed concrete wall ascends from the foundation, anchoring the house to the rugged terrain both physically and visually. Horizontal cedar planks serve as a rainscreen, blending the dwelling seamlessly into the forest. The single-story structure remains inconspicuous from the highway, preserving the natural landscape.

  • The home was designed by Syndicate Smith and built by Paragon Construction in 2026.

The players

Syndicate Smith

An architecture firm that designed this compact modern home.

Paragon Construction

The construction company that built the home.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to create a beautiful house while letting the landscape shine, and part of it is scale—instead of building a two-story house here, we kept it low-profile so you can completely miss it from the highway.”

— Steven Booher, Principal architect of Syndicate Smith (One Kindesign)

What’s next

The home, called 'The Overlook,' is available as a vacation rental on VRBO, allowing visitors to experience the stunning views and modern design for themselves.

The takeaway

This cliffside home in Leavenworth, Washington, showcases how innovative design can seamlessly integrate a structure into the natural landscape, creating a peaceful retreat that prioritizes simplicity and low-maintenance living. The home's compact size, modern features, and vacation rental potential make it an attractive option for those seeking a unique getaway.