Agent Andy's House of the Week: 516 NW 18th Ave.

Jun 2

Three Bedroom Charmer in NW Alphabet District

In this series, Urban Nest's very own Agent Andy Barlow shares his favorite Portland home of the week. See stunning properties from all across town and pick up valuable insight from one of Portland's most discerning real estate professionals.

This week my favorite listing is all about urban living. I’m actually so obsessed with this house I went to tour it twice (and I’d gladly go a third time if anyone else wants to check it out). Built in 1886 this beautifully restored Victorian makes you feel as if you are living in the heart of a city like New Orleans or San Francisco. Located in the NW Alphabet District, this home brings all that the urban core of the city has to offer right outside the front door.

But let’s talk about inside the front door because that is the most exciting part here (though the double front door is pretty exciting in itself...). The first thing I noticed when walking in was the curved staircase and incredibly tall ceilings. The living room features the most perfect bay window and a wall of built-ins around a fireplace. The rest of the main floor consists of a generously large dining room, an updated kitchen with great natural light and tin-covered ceilings, and a cute mudroom with half bath. Literally every space feels grand because of the woodwork and ceiling height.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms (the master having another perfect bay window), a large walk-in closet, and a full bath with double vanities. Despite the house feeling so grand and expansive, it’s only about 1,800 square feet. However, there are plans drawn up already for a third-floor expansion into the attic, and that would really make this place feel like a mansion (if the new buyer wanted to follow through).

After seeing the inside I was absolutely in love and nearly crying that I couldn’t buy it for myself. And then I went out the back door and realized it continued to get better: two decks, a parking spot (this is such an awesome perk in this neighborhood, trust me), and a super charming courtyard area surrounded by four other Victorian homes. It’s like its own little neighborhood right in the city, and if you walk around the actual block it’s almost exclusively Victorian.

“The house was moved here from 17th & Hoyt in the 70s,” Tammy Going, the listing agent told me. Rumor is that some of the others in the courtyard were saved and moved to this lot around the same time, too.

My favorite part? Those bay windows... I’m already imagining cozying up there with my coffee and book in the morning. And the pocket doors in the living room, mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen such tall ones. I also love the history shown here (per usual when I pick old homes) and the fact that this place was almost destroyed makes me forever grateful to the people who saved and moved it 40 years ago.