Property Watch: The Spanish Revival House That Launched Laurelhurst

"By that point, a developer had plans to tear down the century-old structure and fill its double lot with three skinny houses. Then neighbors stepped in. They tapped builder John McCulloch of McCulloch Construction to rehab the home at a reduced rate, and raised money to pay the developer for lost profit."

"The work quadrupled the overall footprint (it's gone from 1,500 square feet to 5,957) while remaining dedicated to the original Spanish Mission style that made the property unique. That includes the stucco exterior and red tile roof, as well as the curvilinear gable that's long faced Glisan."

"It all comes together at the center of the main floor, where a double-height room capped in skylights floods the interior with light, and arched doorways offer views into the living room, kitchen, and a second family room. Historic style points, like the ornate metal railing on the staircase and balances above, are mixed with an airy palette, including crisp white walls and pale oak floors."

A 1911 house on NE 32nd Avenue and NE Glisan Street in Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood was originally built as a real estate office for Lester B. Markham, featuring a grand facade but deceptively small interior spaces. When a developer planned to demolish the structure and build three new houses, neighbors intervened by hiring builder John McCulloch and raising funds to compensate the developer for lost profit. The extensive renovation quadrupled the home's footprint from 1,500 to 5,957 square feet while maintaining its distinctive Spanish Mission style, including the stucco exterior, red tile roof, and curvilinear gable. Modern improvements include normalized ceiling heights, a new garage, and a central double-height room with skylights, while preserving historic details like ornate metal railings and arched architectural elements throughout.

Read at Portland Monthly