Property Watch: A Downtown Portland Condo in a Building with History

When the Roosevelt Hotel opened in November of 1924, it was announced in the Sunday Oregonian that it would be “modern in every detail,” with all 125 rooms having a bath, “some with shower baths,” hardware from Chown, and walnut furniture. It was the first hotel project from George Heathman, who spent $300,000 on the build, and hired the manager from the nearby Imperial Hotel to run it. Much of the hotel’s elegance was derived from its prime location fronting the Park Blocks, “out of the congested downtown district” on the corner of West Park and Salmon Streets.

For almost as long as Portland has been a city, it’s had a park, in the form of the 24 narrow blocks given by Daniel Lownsdale, divided into North and South portions, and interrupted only by the six, so-called “lost blocks” in between. Those blocks mark a years-long dispute between Lownsdale’s heirs and the city—the family wanted too much for them and the city wouldn’t pay—so they were, of course, developed. The Roosevelt sits right on the divide, at the edge of the South blocks, which, in the late 1800s, were quite a swanky address for the city’s elite.

By the time Heathman built the hotel, many of those large homes were being torn down or converted to apartments and boardinghouses; thus the Roosevelt was planned to be not only a distinguished hotel, but available for long-term living arrangements. In 1925, Heathman sold the Roosevelt to embark on his much more expensive project on Broadway, the $1 million hotel that still bears his name.

In the years after, the eight-story, classically detailed Roosevelt thrived. Famous guests included visiting musicians Tina Turner and Buddy Holly, and even presidents: JFK stayed on the top floor, and Truman on the sixth. In the 1970s, the building was completely remodeled inside to become a full-fledged apartment building. In 2000, it was converted to 56 condominium units.

While the exterior is revered by historians for its terra-cotta detailing and classic proportions—it was built during the city’s terra-cotta heyday and is on the Historic Register—this unit on the sixth floor has been nicely updated for modern living. At 623 square feet, it has open and flowing living spaces, as well as a separate bedroom and bathroom, plus a nice amount of storage—including a 27-square-foot walk-in pantry off the kitchen.

The current seller made updates last year, including incorporating a standalone island with seating in the kitchen, contemporary cabinets with quartz counters, and an induction cooktop with an oven. The bathroom skews classic, with a subway tile wainscot and one of those coveted “shower baths.” Large double-hung windows in primary rooms capture views of the Park Blocks and some of the many close cultural institutions.

This being a condo, it comes with HOA fees of $737/month, and those include a lot: all utilities, internet, laundry, and building maintenance. More important, with a 100-point Walk Score, you can get your modern-day promenade on and with this location, enjoy a different museum exhibit, play, concert, market, or meal every day of the week.

• Address: 1005 SW Park Ave #607
• Size: 623 square feet, 1 bed/1 bath
• List Date: 10/8/2024
• List Price: $255,000, with $737/month HOA dues
• Listing Agents: Dan Volkmer and Fritz Benz, Windermere Realty Trust

Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer who has focused on Pacific Northwest design and lifestyle since 2008. She is based in Portland, Oregon. Contact Dalton here. 

Editor’s Note: Portland Monthly’s “Property Watch” column takes a weekly look at an interesting home in Portland’s real estate market (with periodic ventures to the burbs and points beyond, for good measure). Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected].