
Editor’s Notice: Welcome to Portland Monthly’s “Property Watch” column, wherever we just take common appears to be like at exciting houses on the marketplace in Portland’s super-competitive actual estate current market (with periodic ventures to the burbs and points outside of, for very good evaluate). This week: an immaculate Nob Hill condo with a storied earlier. Got a residence you consider would function for this column? Get in contact at [email protected].
When it arrives to Portland architecture, how generally does the word “grand” get thrown all-around? And but, that’s the to start with adjective used to describe the 705 Davis Street Flats developing (which sits in the 2100 block of NW Davis—705 was its address in advance of the citywide Terrific Renumbering of the 1930s) when it was nominated to the Countrywide Sign-up of Historic Locations in 1980. See: “When accomplished in 1913 at a expense of $175,000, the 705 Davis Avenue condominium making was the grandest structure of its variety in Portland.”
This may possibly have been mainly because the architects were from the firm Whitehouse & Foulihoux, which was liable for Jefferson and Lincoln Significant Schools, as well as the Keller Auditorium, the latter in collaboration with a New York firm and searching completely diverse before a ’60s-period rework.

Or it’s possible the glamour came from Julia C. Hoffman, an artist of numerous disciplines and founding member of the Arts and Crafts Society of Portland, which finally turned the Oregon Faculty of Art and Craft. Hoffman both of those co-owned and was a longtime resident in the building. Although she lived there, a lot of of the other units were being occupied by friends of hers and other artists.

Designed in the French Renaissance fashion, the developing is properly proportioned, and anchored with a base of solid concrete and product glazed terra-cotta, both scored to seem like stone blocks. This cedes into a brick veneer, on up to a terra-cotta frieze and cornice at the seventh ground, where Hoffman’s penthouse was found. Entry is by means of a manicured courtyard tucked behind a wrought iron gate, styled soon after an Austrian structure from the 1860s.

What can not be found is how the interior walls were constructed with hollow core gypsum blocks—no structural wood or lathe—which would make for outstanding, if sudden, soundproofing. Within, with its attractive motif of gold-leaf medallions and fleur-de-lis, the shared lobby hasn’t lost its glam. Just down the hall, Unit 101 is at this time for sale.

Owned by an inside designer, the apartment is two stories unfold around 1710 square ft, and a person of six two-ground units in the developing. It’s been fashionably up to date, still nonetheless holds tight to its vintage excellent appears, starting off with all the preserved woodwork. There is the good gumwood doors with lower-glass knobs, the oak floors now stained a wealthy espresso shade, and the unique mahogany window trim framing the dwelling room’s oversize arched window in the Palladian style—one of only a few in the making.
The ceilings on the principal ground access 11 feet substantial, and searching closely at the hearth façade, discover the handcrafted tile imprinted with fowl and nature motifs, created by Arts & Crafts–era artist Ernest Batchelder, a fitting embellishment for the arts-loving Hoffman.

The kitchen has been up-to-date with new personalized cabinetry painted a lovely light-weight blue, in a glossy maritime complete for durability, as properly as quartz counters, subway tile, and built-in appliances. By means of a company door, find a effortless place of work space with developed-in shelving, grass fabric-protected walls, and a petite half-bathtub.
The mahogany-specific staircase can take you upstairs to a landing with two aspect-by-aspect closets, and an en-suite at either close. In the key suite, there is a sitting space with a next fireplace, a lot of storage, and a new lavatory with stroll-in shower and double self-importance. Down the hall, the scaled-down bedroom has its individual classically styled bathroom with pedestal sink and far more marble tile.
For every the Historic Sign-up software, 705 Davis Avenue was regarded as rather the “fashionable Portland address” when it was designed, and it is safe and sound to say which is however the scenario, specified its primary site in Nob Hill on a peaceful street just actions away from NW 23rd Avenue.
Listing Quick Info:
Handle: 2141 NW Davis St #101
Dimensions: 1710 square feet, 2 bed / 2.5 bath
Listing Date: 9/23/2021
List Cost: $999,000, with $1231/thirty day period HOA dues
Listing Brokers: Schafer Nelson and Suzann Baricevic Murphy, Where, Inc.
Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer who has targeted on Pacific Northwest structure and life-style since 2008. She is primarily based in Portland, Oregon. Speak to Dalton in this article.