As of 1940, this corner of the Concordia neighborhood in Northeast Portland was occupied by farms and orchards that supplied the city with produce. By the early 1950s, the city had established 26 acres for Fernhill Park—the land there was too hilly for growing crops and so had become a popular dump—and around the park, rows of newly built subdivisions filled in with more modern-style houses. Think Roman brick, low-slung lines, and tidy yards on sizable lots. These days, this stretch of NE Holman Street feels like a secret pocket of pristine midcentury builds.

It turns out that many of the homes were custom-designed and built by architect Perry Weber and builder L. E. Leitritz, thus giving the area the name Leitritz Addition. This 1954 gem on a generous 7,300-square-foot corner lot is rumored to have been one of the first. 

The split-level home retains much of its midcentury character, like the sheltered front porch and brick façade, as well as the interior mahogany window trim, wood paneling, and fireplace. The newest owners will also benefit from a 2016 renovation guided by architect Risa Boyer, who is well-known for her deft touch with houses of this vintage.

For the remodel, the kitchen and dining room were relocated to be adjacent to the park-facing living room, with the fireplace converted to two sides and shared by both rooms, brick on one and artisan plaster on the other. The adjoining brick wall became a clever space divider that allows for views into the park across the street.

Behind it, there’s a swanky L-shaped walnut banquette with white leather cushions to form the dining area. Then the cheery kitchen, outfitted in custom walnut cabinets, a prep and seating island with waterfall quartz counters, and aqua-colored tile backsplash. No detail was left unconsidered: the half-wall even conceals a built-in television that rises and pivots to be viewed in the living room or kitchen.

This floor also has a bedroom and hall bath, the latter with a soaking tub, good-size vanity, and separate shower, and covered in lovely floor-to-ceiling plaster. There’s also a den, which has access to the breezeway to the garage, a custom mahogany mudroom built-in, and double glass doors to the backyard.

The second bedroom is down a half-flight of stairs, and a fully finished basement sits below it, itself with its own fireplace. On the upper floor, find the primary suite, which also blends old and new effortlessly, by balancing the parquet floors and lazy Susan closet—it has to be seen to be believed—with an en-suite bathroom also designed by Boyer. 

Out back, more delight: a 2014 patio renovation gives off additional atomic vibes, thanks to a custom fence with bright orange cutouts and a sliding door.

Listing Fast Facts 

• Address: 3905 NE Holman St, Portland, OR 97211
• Size: 3,042 square feet/3 bedrooms/2.5 baths
• List Date: 4/19/2023 
• List Price: $1,175,000
• Listing Agent: Jeff Weithman, Real Estate Through Design

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].