Sited in a forested .42 acre Japanese garden like setting, this special Northwest Regional Modern was designed by renowned Portland architect, Walter Gordon and was completed in 1956. Gordon was one of Oregon’s most distinguished residential designers and designed more than 60 homes in the area. He was a curator of art at three museums before joining the architectural offices of Pietro Belluschi, his mentor, in 1941. Gordon opened his own practices in Portland and Eugene in 1947. He is often grouped with leading architects like Van Evera Bailey, Bill Fletcher, Saul Zaik and John Storrs as a second generation of architects to uphold the ideals of the Northwest Regional Style. First pioneered by Belluschi and John Yeon, this approach sought to create graceful modern buildings that used local natural materials and blended harmoniously into their surroundings.

Unlike many of Gordon’s sizable and more opulent homes, this more intimate and refreshing departure in Southwest Portland is perfectly scaled for comfortable modern living. It has an open concept design that flows freely from the entry to the den, living, sun and dining rooms while connecting to nature, the mature ornamental gardens, covered patio and intimate seating areas through its thoughtfully placed windows. Light beams into the sun, living and dining rooms in the mornings and graces the back patio and back of home with southern exposure throughout the day. Gordon’s generous use of wood finishes create an inescapable cozy, warm and calming atmosphere throughout.

At 2324 square feet, the home lives primarily as a single level with 2 baths, 2 bedrooms, den (that can be reconverted into a third bedroom), living room, sunroom, dining room, kitchen with eating nook and laundry on the main; and garage, storage and shop on the lower level.

The home maintains many of its original design details including extended overhangs, exposed vaulted tongue and groove cedar ceilings, slate entry, hardwood floors, built-in casework, a roman bath and original steel kitchen cabinetry by St. Charles; whose line was often specified by the likes of Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Modern updates and bespoke upgrades have been carefully integrated throughout while maintaining and enhancing the home’s original design features and intent. Every surface has been addressed. The kitchen was remodeled with new countertops and gourmet stainless steel appliances and the baths were updated as well. All of the original cabinetry and casework throughout the home was restored.

Originally envisioned by a master gardener, native and Asian species harmonize outside to create peaceful garden spaces great for contemplation, morning coffee, afternoon reading or evening dinner. This private and peaceful Gordon enclave has been well preserved, curated and cared for by its owners and it shows, and it’s one you’ll certainly want to see and experience in person.

DETAILS

MLS #:  24434497
Architecture: 1956 Midcentury Modern / NW Regional Style
Architect: Walter Gordon, A.I.A.
Neighborhood: Humphrey Park
County: Multnomah
2021 Taxes: $9,820 / 2023

HOME FEATURES

Year Built: 1956
Square Footage: 2324 sqft
Lot Size: .42 acres
Bedrooms: 2 + 1, Den was a 3rd bedroom and can be reconverted for 3 bedrooms
Baths: 2
Living Rooms: 1
Den 1
Sun Room 1
Fireplaces: 2, 1 wood burning, 1 gas

SCHOOLS

Elementary: Elementary: Ainsworth
Middle: West Sylvan
High: Lincoln

ENTRY/ LIVING ROOM
  • Flagstone entry and detail in living room
  • Refinished hardwood flooring
  • Vaulted ceiling in living room and sunroom
  • Original recessed lighting
  • Original built in casework long sideboard
  • Custom casework flanking fireplace
  • Gas fireplace
  • French sliding glass doors to sunroom
  • ADT doorbell/camera and alarm system
SUNROOM
  • Vaulted Ceiling
  • Original flagstone floor
  • New Juno track lighting
  • Sliding door to garden
DINING ROOM
  • Saucer pendant by George Nelson
  • New white oak flooring
  • Sliding glass door to covered patio
  • Security motion monitor
KITCHEN
  • Restored original St. Charles brand steel cabinets, as often used by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe
  • New quartz counter-tops
  • Fulgor 36” 600 Series stainless steel pro gas cooktop with 5 solid brass burners and 20,000 BTUs
  • Fulgor Milano 700 Series stainless steel 30” double convection wall mount oven
  • Ventahood black liner for custom 42: wall hood
  • Liebherr 36” free standing refrigerator / bottom freezer
  • Miele Classic Plus hidden-control stainless steel dishwasher w/3D rack
  • Undermount Stainless Steel sink
  • Brushed stainless steel fixtures
  • New white oak flooring
  • Splugen Brau Pendant by FLOS
DEN
  • Asteria LED semi-flush mount ceiling light by Image at Lumens
  • New white oak flooring
  • Wood burning fireplace with marble hearth and surround
  • Closet (could be 3rd bedroom by adding doors to opening at entry)
  • Pocket door
  • The Shade Store Linen Cascade Roman Shade
PRIMARY BEDROOM
  • Large 14 X 18 inch bedroom with ensuite bath
  • Original built in dresser under window
  • Custom built in closet storage and hanging racks
  • White oak floors
  • French sliding doors to deck
  • Deck off primary bedroom
  • Schoolhouse Electric light fixture
  • The Shade Store Linen Cascade Roman Shade
  • The Shade Store Linen Ripple Fold Drapes, Privacy with standard track
BATHROOM
  • Original Roman-style tiled soaking tub
  • Original casework
  • New shower with 2 frameless fixed glass walls and door
  • New tile in shower
  • New tile floor
  • New recessed lighting over counter
  • New quartz counter top and under-mount sink
  • New chrome fixtures
  • The Shade Store Linen Cascade Roman Shade
BEDROOM 2
  • Custom built in closet with shelving and drawers
  • New white oak flooring
  • Schoolhouse Electric light fixture
  • The Shade Store Linen Cascade Roman Shade
GUEST BATH
  • Radio LED Bath Bar by Sonneman Lighting at Lumens.com
  • Original tiled shower with new frameless glass door and new chrome fixtures
  • Custom vanity with quartz counter top and new chrome fixtures
  • Original cupboards and laundry hamper
LAUNDRY ROOM
  • Electrolux Titanium Steam Washer with reversible door
  • Electrolux Titanium Electric Steam Dryer
  • Built in cabinet with Stainless Steel under-mount sink and new hardware
  • Original floor to ceiling 2 door pantry
HALLWAY
  • Italian wall sconcesOriginal recessed lighting
  • Original linen cupboard
  • New white oak flooring
  • Security motion monitor
STORAGE & GARAGE
  • Large pantry with wine storage
  • Large closet
  • Large double car garage
  • Large workshop with lots of built in storage
  • Original plywood cabinets for storage
  • The Original Warehouse Gooseneck Light from Barn Light Electric Company
FRONT YARD
  • Quiet Cul-de-sac
  • Grand welcoming porch
  • Mature landscaping with native species
  • Privacy
  • WAK lighting
  • Driveway with parking area
BACK YARD
  • Covered patio with dining area
  • Large mature garden with multiple seating areas
  • Water feature
  • Privacy
  • WAK Lighting
  • Storage shed under back deck
  • ADT Home security camera
  • The Original Warehouse Flush Mount Light from Barn Light Electric Company
HOME SYSTEMS
  • ADT home security system owned
  • Carrier Performance 16 air conditioner from Specialty Heating and Cooling
  • Anderson windows and doors with screens
  • Cedar shake roof
NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES

Southwest Hills living in a quiet cul-de-sac and convenient to everything with easy access to Hwy. 26, Scholls Ferry Rd,, Hwy 217, Washington Park and the Zoo, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Zupan’s Market and NW shopping and restaurants, MAC Club and downtown Portland.

HOMEOWNERS OVERVIEW

We discovered this home, designed by Walter Gordon in 1956, and purchased it in 2020 during the pandemic. It is situated on .41 acres in Humphrey Park. Among Gordon’s designs, the home is unique for its intimate scale. Gordon was born in 1907 and studied architecture at Princeton, Yale, and the University of Paris. He was mentored by Pietro Belluschi, an Italian American architect, and a leading figure in modern architecture. He worked for the Portland Development Commission from 1962-1972.

We felt very lucky to find it and have truly enjoyed renovating and restoring this iconic example of mid century modern design. In addition to the home’s design, we were attracted to the landscape on which it was sited. While restoring and renovating the home, we also sought to nurture the gardens and surrounding environment.

The design of this home is both functional and dramatic. The one level living is functional, and Gordon designed it so the entirety of the view through the house and into the garden would be visible from several places in the home. The home, as designed by Gordon, was structurally intact but required extensive remodeling of the interior spaces. Every surface was addressed including refinished and new flooring, and new paint throughout. The kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled and updated with new stainless steel appliances. The existing cabinetry and casework were restored and the hardware, when possible, was restored and replaced.

The home’s first owner, a Master gardener, planted the garden shortly after the home was built in 1959. Now nearly 45 years old, the garden is well established and has been maintained by Jack Wheeler and Tom Bartell’s. The native and Asian species work together to create beautiful, private, naturalistic spaces to enjoy for morning coffee, reading in the afternoon or dinner in the evening. The sun graces the back patio with southern exposure throughout the day.

Our goal has always been to be caretakers of the existing landscape and home without doing harm and leaving the place better than we found it. We have attempted to do the work with integrity and a light touch, and to abide by the original intentions of the architect and landscape designer.

We have a passion and appreciation for the artists who created these homes in the MCM design vocabulary with a commitment to preservation for future generations to enjoy and understand this unique period, specifically in the Pacific Northwest.