Heather Lamkins • PDX Real Estate Broker

Congratulations to Tom & Linda who just nabbed this stunning architectural beauty in Willamette Heights of NW Portland.  Designed by and for architect Robert Cowman in 1980, this open inviting international style home is nestled right up to Forest Park.  The home is surrounded by a forest of trees, a babbling creek, and plenty of wildlife.  Fortunately this home boasts 3 exterior patios and also a heated sun room, so the phenomenal forested views are well utilized by design.  In addition to the perks of owning a tree house retreat, there are local quaint stores, eateries, and the vastness of NW 23rd’s shopping just down the hill–less than 1 mile away.

Tom & Linda started looking for homes in either Portland, Chicago, or a local move in San Francisco.  They described to me that they were looking for something “special”.  After previewing this NW home in the forest, I had a hunch that it might be that certain je ne said quoi that Tom & Linda were seeking.  But the catch was that their San Fransisco home had a walkscore of 100 and they didn’t want to give up their urban conveniences.  Although it is hard to beat that in any city, I think Portland’s urban forest and local great NW shopping stood up to the test.  Go Portland!  And welcome Linda & Tom to this fabulous city we call home.

Talk about starting with a solid foundation… Do Ho Suh’s newest masterpiece resides 100 feet up on the seventh floor of the Engineering Building 1 at University of California, San Diego.  This little house is no small feat as it appears to have almost missed the building during it’s descent.  And quite ironically, the actual journey was an ascent.  Here is a video of it’s lift off:  Do Ho Suh: Fallen Star and more photos here.

“Fallen Star,” by Korean artist Do Ho Suh, is the latest, 18th, addition to the renowned Stuart Collection at UC San Diego, an ongoing program of commissioned, site-specific sculptures that considers the entire campus as a potential site for the artworks, university buildings included.

At 15 by 18 feet, the “Fallen Star” house is a three-quarter-sized version of a small house in Providence, Rhode Island. It will be erected on the seventh-floor roof of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Building 1 (Jacobs Hall). The entire sculpture consists of the house, cantilevered at an angle from the corner of the building, integrated to a structural concrete slab, with a roof garden on the existing building. Access to the artwork will be via Jacobs Hall.

Source: UCSDnews.com

I spent 7 years of my formative years at UC San Diego, and (eventually) completed a Bachelor’s degree in studio Fine Arts along with a minor in Biology: Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution.  The Stuart Collection has it’s fine points, and I would definitely rate Fallen Star up there as one of the finer.  Although, Terry Allen’s whimsical “trees” will always hold a soft spot in my heart.  There is nothing more excitedly terrifying to a UCSD student than a walk home from the library through a eucalyptus grove hearing the echos of Navajo chants and duck calls from some unidentified tree.  Ah those were the days…

Simply fabulous rambler seeks loving family to call home~

Michelle came to me looking for a roomy home to purchase that would host not only herself and her daughter, but her retired parents as well.  Although her folks were moving in, Michelle still wanted her own privacy–some sense of separation and 2 living areas.  As luck would have it, there is a well kept secret in NE Portland, it is a sweet neighborhood called Parkrose Heights, just east of Rocky Butte.  Convenience is yours in this location, where the 84, Halsey, and the airport are easily accessible.  The neighborhood is speckled with midcentury ramblers and sweet ranches.  There is very little traffic, the streets are wide, the houses are large and comfortable and it just simply feels serene.  Michelle grabbed the renovated 1958 family home of her dreams with 2 sprawling levels including a daylite basement, 2 kitchens, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 fireplaces, pellet stove, 2 car garage, a massive private sun room and over 3000 of finished sq feet (not to mention a sprawling landscaped 0.2 acre lot).  This home was move-in ready with newer furnace, electrical, plumbing, & fresh paint–the list went on and on.  And the price tag?–an affordable $245,000!!!  Jealous yet?  Congratulations Michelle!

Interested in your own midcentury steal of deal?  Contact Heather at (971)255-9868

I’m singin’ in the rain
Just singin’ in the rain
What a glorious feelin’
I’m happy again.
I’m laughing at clouds.
So dark up above
The sun’s in my heart
And i’m ready for love.

–Gene Kelly, 1952

When it rains, this unique colorful wall in Germany becomes a charming musical instrument.  Referred to as Neustadt Kunsthofpassage, when water runs through the drain pipes and gutter system that are attached to the outside of the building, they become an awakened orchestra.  May inspiration sweep over Portland’s water collection systems this season of rain.

for sale:  3122 SW Maricara St, Portland OR  $539,000.

I feel personally blessed that I have been able to spend a lovely evening with friends in this gorgeous intact midcentury gem.  The details of the home are simply designed and thoroughly executed.  This video by Jillian Doughty expresses the feel of the home nicely~ video here

NW Natural & Energy Trust are offering FREE energy savings kits to Portland residents.  Kits include a high-performance shower head, faucet aerators, & compact fluorescent light bulbs.  One kit per address permitted.  Click here for more details!

for sale: $249,999  |  4856 NE 13th Ave, Portland OR 97211

1926 Alberta Arts Bungalow  |  2 bedrooms on main  |  2 bonus rooms in tall basement  | 2 bathrooms (one on each level)

R 2.5 zoning  |  .10 acre corner lot  |  low property taxes=$1,078.52  |  off-street driveway parking

With many period details intact and an open & tall basement with 2 bonus rooms plus a second bathroom, this charmer is sure to knock your socks off!  The main level has a sweet layout with 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom, lovely unpainted vintage trim work & arches, hardwood floors & doug fir floors.  Rare Alberta off-street parking is available in your driveway and a nice sized flat backyard is awaiting your urban farm or a possible ADU?  You can own all of this in the heart of desirable Alberta Arts where convenience is at your fingertips!  There are too many hip shops, drinkeries & eateries just down the street to name off.  This charming vintage home has had one owner for the last 37 years and is now looking for it’s next love.  Is it you?  Contact me today for a tour– (971)255.9868

OPEN HOUSE:  Sunday 12/11/11 from 12-4pm

NOW OPEN!

What happens at the intersection of Beaumont Village, West Cully, and Rose City?— Fire on the Mountain!  Now open for food, drink, and great casual (& quite designerly) atmosphere, this town favorite is gracing the NE with it’s cozy presence.  If you haven’t been to the other 2 locations for their fabulous wings, then maybe you will come to the third location for their microbrew!  “Brewery to be up an running by December”, says the busy server today.  I see four, count ‘em, 4 stainless steel holding tanks just beyond the bar.  But wait, expect something a little different at this Fire on the Mountain.  Aside from all their normal saucy selections, they also have table service, burgers, pizza, & calzones!  Fire on the Mountain (the III) is located at the corner of NE Fremont & NE 57th Ave in Portland.  So get it while it’s hot (wings) folks!

1960 mid-century gem by architect Frank Shell now renovated & for sale (again!)

4725 SW Canterbury Ln  |  $484,900.  |  2220 sqft main |  672 sqft lower

4 bedrooms  |  2 baths  |  2 car attached garage  |  .21 acre  |  Portland, OR

Frank Shell designed & built this delightful home as his own personal residence.  Chalked full of clerestory windows and private exterior atriums, this home provides a real sense of back to nature interior/exterior living.  Any mid century architecture enthusiast would agree that this one was not to be missed with it’s block & glass construction, vaulted ceilings, radiant heat, period tile work, aggregate concrete hallways, & cork floors.  So why did it sit on the market for 789 days!?  Answer: water damage.  This special home had a leaky roof and the damage to prove it.  Initially listed as a short sale and then eventually foreclosing, the Shell house finally sold as a bank owned property in March of 2011 for $227,900.  Financing this home was likely not a possibility.  My last blog entry on this property dates back to January 15, 2010 and will provide you with some before photos and information.

But as luck would have, it’s not too late.  This sweet cookie is back on the market right now!  It may not be in it’s original condition, but it definitely has some good bones.  Would you like to go take a look?  Great, I would love to show it to you!  Contact Heather Lamkins at (971)255-9868

Property listed by Mal & Seitz.