An Iconic Portland Home With Sweeping Mountain Views Asks $1.75M

This charming home nestled into Portland's West Hills is an emblem of the Northwest Regional Style and a renowned example of midcentury design that suits the Pacific Northwest's climate and landscape.
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Originally designed by architect Van Evera Bailey in 1941, the Sinclair House has been carefully restored to its original architectural character by Will Pritikin of Aforma Design + Build, Jeff Stern of In Situ Architecture, and Garza Construction. The team spared no detail in restoring this timber-clad home to its pristine form, while modernizing it for our time. 

A refined, simple exterior palette of wood, stucco, and concrete allows the true architectural form to shine and blend in with the landscape.

A refined, simple exterior palette of wood, stucco, and concrete allows the true architectural form to shine and blend in with the landscape.

In tune with Bailey's awareness of environmental context, the home's panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and its connection to the land form a strong foundation. The indoors bleed out, and the outdoors lead in to expansive living spaces with astounding views. Outdoor terraces step down the hillside, with commanding views always in focus. 

The wood-clad home sits between tall native grasses and dense foliage.

The wood-clad home sits between tall native grasses and dense foliage.

A large ipe deck nestled into the hillside is hidden from the road above.

A large ipe deck nestled into the hillside is hidden from the road above.

The upper deck, surrounded by a glass rail, is an ideal spot to enjoy panoramic Portland views.

The upper deck, surrounded by a glass rail, is an ideal spot to enjoy panoramic Portland views.

The hillside home enjoys picturesque views of the Cascade Mountains.

The hillside home enjoys picturesque views of the Cascade Mountains.

Totaling 3,590 square feet, the new design expands and reconfigures the layout while strengthening the original concept. A new two-car garage, two bedrooms, and a bathroom replace the original garage. The design team removed supporting walls at the spiral staircase, exposing the sculptural stair as it climbs from the lower level to the second story. Simple details convert the home from dilapidated to modern.

Walnut casework anchors both sides of the original fireplace.  Steel plate provides a modern interpretation of the traditional hearth.

Walnut casework anchors both sides of the original fireplace. Steel plate provides a modern interpretation of the traditional hearth.

Spaces flow freely from one to the next, creating a continuous open floor plan.

Spaces flow freely from one to the next, creating a continuous open floor plan.

Picturesque views surround this master bedroom. From the relaxation and comfort of the indoors, you can enjoy all the surrounding landscape has to offer. 

Picturesque views surround this master bedroom. From the relaxation and comfort of the indoors, you can enjoy all the surrounding landscape has to offer. 

Shop the Look
Eames Molded Plastic Rocker
Charles and Ray Eames believed that “design is a method of action,” and they continually updated their work as new materials became available.
Design Within Reach Raleigh Dresser
Raleigh Bedroom Collection (2017) is designed for today but with a bridge back to the past. Standing on solid wood legs, the Raleigh Six-Drawer Dresser shows off expanses of wood uninterrupted by drawer hardware. “The result is warm and inviting,” says designer Jeffrey Bernett. Made in Canada.
Even in the master bathroom, the views do not go unnoticed.  A picture window perfectly frames Mount Hood in the distance.

Even in the master bathroom, the views do not go unnoticed. A picture window perfectly frames Mount Hood in the distance.

White oak floors, walnut cabinets and doors, and bright white walls transform the interior while allowing the original architecture to shine. Floor-to-ceiling glass draws the focus to the surrounding landscape and distant Portland views. 

A George Nelson lamp hangs atop the marble dining room table.  The open concept blends kitchen and dining as one.

A George Nelson lamp hangs atop the marble dining room table. The open concept blends kitchen and dining as one.

Walnut cabinets and crisp white countertops create a streamlined, modern kitchen.

Walnut cabinets and crisp white countertops create a streamlined, modern kitchen.

A large picture window provides endless views of the Cascade Mountains from this contemporary, open kitchen. 

A large picture window provides endless views of the Cascade Mountains from this contemporary, open kitchen. 

A new hydronic radiant system replaces the original baseboard heaters, increasing efficiency and comfort. If you're looking to relax or jam out, the home's new audio system fulfills your needs. Although it was built in 1941, today it's a modern home with smart systems. 

On the lower level, a three-sided fireplace doubles as a room divider that separates the media room from an office space.

On the lower level, a three-sided fireplace doubles as a room divider that separates the media room from an office space.

The lower level has enough space for a second living room.

The lower level has enough space for a second living room.

Each of the home's bedrooms is situated to enjoying the stunning mountain views.

Each of the home's bedrooms is situated to enjoying the stunning mountain views.

In the bathroom, a floating wood vanity adds a simple modern touch.  A large, seamless mirror and windows allow daylight to fill this small space.

In the bathroom, a floating wood vanity adds a simple modern touch. A large, seamless mirror and windows allow daylight to fill this small space.

On the exterior, the design team revived the stained cedar siding, wood-clad windows, and integral colored stucco. A new concrete retaining wall follows the hillside, creating a dynamic yard that provides privacy and landscaped surrounds.

Clad in natural materials, the residence is truly at home in the Pacific Northwest.   Tall glazing  provides a glimpse inside, with peeks of the elegant, spiral stair.

Clad in natural materials, the residence is truly at home in the Pacific Northwest. Tall glazing provides a glimpse inside, with peeks of the elegant, spiral stair.

The home's unique spiral staircase can be seen through the home's exterior.

The home's unique spiral staircase can be seen through the home's exterior.

The rear of the home provides the feeling of a tree house suspended high up in the canopy.

The rear of the home provides the feeling of a tree house suspended high up in the canopy.

The Sinclair House is currently listed for $1,745,000 by Listing Agent Suzann Baricevic Murphy and Selling Agent Jeff Weithman. Check out the complete details on this modern home at Real Estate Through Design - (w)here Real Estate.

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Project Credits: 

Original Architect: Van Evera Bailey

Architect of Record: Jeff Stern, In Situ Architecture / @insituarchitecture

Contractor: Will Pritikin, Aforma

Subcontractor: Garza Construction

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Anna Squier
Anna Jones is a designer and founder of MOD Design in Des Moines, IA. After receiving a BA in Architecture, she practiced at award winning design firms in the Central States Region.

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