Portland’s most ornate historic homes, Queen Annes and others built during the late 1800s, were overshadowed at the turn of the last century by Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles, which were seen as avant-garde.
Still, people appreciate the architectural styles — Queen Anne, Eastlake Stick and Italianate — popularized during the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901.
Victorian-era houses share similarities. They are multistory, with turrets, square or round towers, bay windows and complex, pitched rooflines.
They are also famous for wraparound porches surrounded by spindlework, brackets and elaborate cornices. Exteriors are decorated in siding cut into shapes of fish scales, scallops and sunbursts and often painted several colors to draw out the details.
Most of Portland’s inventory of Victorian-era residences were demolished due to redevelopment projects, freeway construction, neighborhood economic declines and homeowner neglect.
But the survivors stand tall. Here are five Victorian-era homes for sale in Portland.
The 1888 John and Sophia Carlson House, also known as “The Pink Lady,” in South Portland’s historic Lair Hill neighborhood is for sale at $734,950.
The renovated, three-level Queen Anne cottage at 15 S. Gibbs St. has a front gable entry with a recessed, skirted porch, turned columns and Eastlake details.
Inside, there are high ceilings and 1,914 square feet of living space. Original intricate woodwork and ornate millwork were restored, and plumbing, wiring, insulation and systems were replaced.
The updated kitchen has custom cabinetry and a large island. There are three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The historic house was “saved from ruin through a meticulous four year restoration” and is a contributing property within the South Portland Historic District, said listing agents Michael Smira and Griffin Guardalabene of John L. Scott Portland Central.
There is a one-bedroom apartment with its own entrance on the lower level that can be a rental, guest suite or used for multigenerational living, the agents said.
The 0.07-acre lot has new landscaping.
An 1889 triplex on a 0.14-acre lot at 2406 S.E. Yamhill St. in Southeast Portland’s Buckman neighborhood is for sale at $800,000.
The building has 3,110 square feet of living space with two main-level units plus an upper-level unit.
“Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio or live in one unit while renting the others, this triplex offers a flexible and rewarding investment in a fantastic location,” said listing agents Judy Adler and Amy Adler of Windermere Heritage.
An 1890 duplex with bay windows in Southeast Portland’s Sunnyside neighborhood is for sale at $499,500.
The 0.12-acre corner lot at 3954 S.E. Taylor St. is zoned R2.5 for single dwellings. The roof holds solar panels to support a 4.575Kw solar system.
The three-level residence has 2,650 square feet of living space with some original hardwood floors, stair railings and colored glass windows. The second story contains a second kitchen, bedroom and laundry.
“Possible lot division via lot confirmation process, or cottage cluster housing,” said listing agent Tim Shannon of Tim Shannon Realty.
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1893 Nathan Loeb House
The 1893 Nathan Loeb House at 726 N.W. 22nd Ave. is one of the oldest surviving residences in Portland. The American foursquare floor plan on a 0.12-acre lot is for sale at $1,455,000.
“This is a San Francisco-type home in Portland for a fraction of the price,” said listing brokers Ann Thompson and Muffie Scanlan of Windermere Realty Trust.
A double front door opens to an entry hall that leads to the 20-foot-long living room and adjoining 18-foot-long family room, separated by an elaborate arched frame featuring carved and spindled woodwork.
Original stained glass windows were crafted by Povey Brothers Art Glass Works, Oregon’s first decorative window company known as the Tiffany of the Northwest. Contemporary leaded-glass pieces include some made by David Schlicker Stained Glass.
The main level also has a formal dining room and an enlarged kitchen, updated by the Neil Kelly Company, with quartz surfaces, a Wolf six-burner gas range and Sub-Zero refrigerator.
Like the kitchen, the butler’s pantry has Victorian-era details such as a backsplash of tinplate tiles pressed with a pattern that was popular in the late 1800s.
The four-level house with 5,712 square feet of living space has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. A finished basement includes private living quarters, a craft room, wine cellar and storage. Read more
An 1894 Victorian-era house, currently used as a short-term rental, is for sale at $1,275,000.
The two-story house with a sunburst-patterned gable at 1927 N.E. 16th Ave. in Northeast Portland’s Irvington neighborhood has been divided into three living spaces.
The 3,873-square-foot main house has a self-contained accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the basement with an outside entrance, and there is a standalone studio in the backyard.
“This 0.12-acre property would be a great family home, used for multigenerational living, or as an investment used as a short-term or month-to-month rental,” said listing agent Gina Bany of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate.
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