Lot 48.

Talk about a prime piece of real estate.

It’s the point at Barbee Mill, the new upscale community on the shores of Lake Washington just south of Bellevue where the homes will run up to roughly $3 million.

That lot with its 220 feet of waterfront juts into the lake, commanding views of Renton, Mercer Island, and, best of all, the lake itself.

Now, it’s an expanse of dirt and rock, where eventually two families will live. Already there’s a list of those who want to live in one of what developer Charlie Conner of Bellevue-based Conner Homes calls “paired homes.”

In a development filled with superlatives, Lot 48 is known as the “most valuable” piece of land, according to Conner. The wait could last awhile; Conner says it’s the last lot he’ll sell. Buildout of the 114 homes will take about four years.

Construction has been under way for about nine months at Barbee Mill. The luxury community draws its name from the mill the Cugini family of Renton owned for about 60 years.

The sales office in what will become the private clubhouse is now open daily by appointment. A grand opening with furnished model homes is planned for June.

By then, Conner will have the new entry to Barbee Mill done, too.

Already, Conner, 52, who lives nearby on the lake, has sold about 10 homes. He has met all but one of the buyers, who have come from the Eastside, South King County and out of the area.

Conner has met with prospective buyers in small groups to show them his plans.

Most of the buyers will be in their 50s and older, he said. The homes are three-story. But not to worry. Each comes with an option for an elevator, something Conner said buyers are choosing.

Barbee Mill is unique in a number of ways. The 22 acres, along with two adjoining properties, represents some of the last undeveloped property on Lake Washington. Paul Allen liked the location, too. He built his new headquarters and practice facility for the Seahawks just two doors down.

In the middle remains a contaminated site that will require years of cleanup.

But Conner and the mill’s previous owners, the Cuginis, have turned what once was an industrial “brownfield” into something green. May Creek was protected with buffers and the waterfront homes are set back from the lake.

Conner ground up the asphalt from the former mill and recycled it as fill for the community’s roads.

Conner says that commitment to environmentally friendly construction runs through his developments, inside and out.

In fact, he has trademarked the name, Earth Sense Home.

And those homes are spectacular. The designs are Northwest contemporary. The 10-foot ceilings meet one of the prospective buyers’ requests – wide open spaces. They also wanted a back door.

The two- and four-home buildings are designed and placed to give everyone a view of a piece of the lake.

Despite the economic downturn, Conner isn’t worried about sales.

“It’s all about understanding what the market wants,” he said. His focus groups helped ensure he was on the right track. And he has built high-end homes for decades.

He is applying for permits for a 170-foot private dock, with a T at the end. The dock is for day use, with no long-term storage, he said.

Residents will share the spot with eagles and osprey – and the salmon that return to May Creek. A trail runs through Barbee Mill and the pond doubles for stormwater control.

The Canada geese have found the green grass. The Seahawks hope to settle the goose issue with the life-like coyotes that snarl out in place on the football team’s expansive lawns.

Conner, who started out working for his builder dad sweeping floors, pays close attention to detail, all the way to the waterproofing on the decks. He even brings in a waterproofing consultant, what he calls a second quality-control check.

He wants the homes to last forever.

Dean A. Radford can be reached at 425-255-3484, ext. 5050, or at dean.radford@rentonreporter.com.