See which of Portland’s famous Trenkmann Houses is for sale at $985K

The famous

Trenkmann Houses

,

eight lookalike Victorians

clustered around a shared garden in

Northwest Portland’s Alphabet Historic District

, have survived 135 years of the city’s growth and new development temptation.

And one of the decorative dwellings, clad in scalloped siding at

1720 N.W. Hoyt St.

, is for sale at

$985,000

.

“

This home is ideal for the urban buyer

looking for both design integrity and quality connectivity,” said listing broker

Atussa Valenti

of Coldwell Banker Bain.

The three-level house for sale is a sidewalk showcase of the past, with a dollhouse-like covered porch and classic bay windows under a pointy roof.

Step through the double-door entrance with stained glass panes, however, and see updates that allow for modern living throughout 2,887 square feet of living space.

“Carefully expanded interior openings make this historic gem supremely comfortable and perfectly contemporary,” Valenti told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The home on a 3,049-square-foot lot is attractive to people who want natural light, space and a layout that flows with ease as well as charming historical integrity, she said.

The living room has a high ceiling, hardwood floor and fireplace. Pocket doors open to the family room with a classic projecting window. Natural light also streams through a series of windows in the dining area.

A seating bar is between the dining area and open kitchen, which has a gas range, other stainless-steel appliances and marble counters plus a pantry.

There are three updated bedrooms and two of the three remodeled bathrooms on the second story. The primary suite has a vaulted ceiling and a 15-foot-long closet.

The storage basement has a separate entrance and the back deck is shaded by mature trees.

Cafes, restaurants and shops are close by in Nob Hill and the Pearl District, and there are also theaters, galleries and miles of hiking trails in the neighborhood between downtown Portland and Forest Park, said Valenti.

“This is a rare opportunity to own one of the coveted Victorians, with a rich history on a tree-lined street while in the middle of all the best of Portland,” she said.

History of the houses

Portland had many structures built in styles known as Queen Anne, Italianate and Eastlake Stick during the late Victorian era, which spanned from 1837 to 1901 when Queen Victoria reigned over the United Kingdom.

Many early Portland homes were removed for new development. But all eight of the 1890 Trenkmann Houses remain united on the north half of a city block at

525 N.W. 17th Ave.

,

526 N.W. 18th Ave

. and

1704

,

1710

,

1716

,

1720

,

1728

and

1734

N.W. Hoyt St.

The upscale, single-family residential rental units were designed and built in the Queen Anne-Eastlake Stick style by Portland contractor Herman Trenkmann.

The well-positioned rentals near the streetcar line were much needed as 17,500 new residents settled in Portland in 1879, drawn in by

the city’s growing role as a transportation and industrial center

. In 1890, the population of Portland reached 46,385.

Inside the wood-frame Trenkmann homes are high ceilings and some have retained the original ornate stair banisters, fir floors and oak paneling.

In 1975, seven new owners restored their home’s exterior and created a shared backyard area. The homeowners association fee is $10 a month. Later, a new owner of

525 N.W. 17th Ave.

joined the restoration effort.

“By their proximity to each other and because of the care and accuracy with which they were restored to their original appearance, the eight homes comprise a small homogenous enclave exemplifying the Eastlake style of Victorian architecture,” according to historians who successfully nominated the

Trenkmann Houses

to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.

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— Janet Eastman covers design and trends. Reach her at 503-294-4072,

jeastman@oregonian.com

and follow her on X

@janeteastman

.

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