Editor’s Note: Welcome to Portland Monthly’s “Property Watch” column, where we take regular looks at interesting homes on the market in Portland’s super-competitive real estate market (with periodic ventures to the burbs and points beyond, for good measure). This week: A polished, private condo in the Alberta Arts District. Got a home you think would work for this column? Get in touch at [email protected].

Think of this home as a modern take on the historic courtyard condo that we profiled two weeks ago. Instead of arranging several units around a central green though, this 2018 project from local, award-winning architect Ben Waechter gives each unit in an Alberta Arts duplex their own personal patio wrapped in glass, as well as a private rear deck.

The front door opens into a hallway with a sweet little entry niche to the side, complete with floating bench and coat storage. Past a powder room and the garage access, the corridor jogs to the right to wrap neatly around an exterior courtyard. Four sets of sliding glass doors line the outdoor space, creating a fluid exchange between inside and out, and filling the hall and adjacent living spaces with natural light. The patio even has a retractable cover to extend its use into the off seasons.

At the rear of the home, a comfortable combined living, kitchen, and dining room—readied for sale by Modernfolk Staging—is capped by another outdoor space, this time a private rear deck with plenty of room for lounging and grilling, accessed via another sliding glass door.

Along one side of the room, the polished concrete floors join the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, quartz counters, and designer tile backsplash—giving off a serene vibe that’s complemented by all the glimpses of green through the many glass doors. Radiant floor heating under the concrete ensures the space is extra cozy in the winter, while an uber-efficient ductless mini-split cooling system will handle the much-needed chill in the summer months.

Up the stairs, there’s an en-suite to the right, including a giant walk-in closet with two doors, sleek bathroom with designer tile covering the walk-in shower, and views of Mount St. Helens. At the other end of the windowed hall are two more bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

Located on Northeast 21^st Avenue, just two blocks north of Alberta Street, this is a fantastic jump-off point to do everything the Alberta Arts District has to offer. Which, with its array of galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars, really is pretty much everything. We hear there’s even a zoo now?

Listing Fast Facts:

Address: 5280 NE 21st Ave
Size: 1,974 square feet, 3 bed/2.5 bath 
List Date: 10/12/2021 
List Price: $789,000, with $40/month HOA dues 
Listing Agent: Marisa Swenson, Dwell Realty

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.