The rainy season may be upon us, but can we just squeeze in one last summer delight? One such delight is the backyard reveal on this atomic home in a pocket of the Mount Tabor neighborhood. The street is called Mountain View Drive and it skirts the eastern edge of Mt Tabor Park, with an access point to the park on either end. From the front, the house has all the classic low lines of its midcentury era, but around back, a surprise: two levels of outdoor relaxation, including a lounge-y upper deck, and below, a huge pool that comes with some Hollywood lore.

A dip into the past—sorry, couldn't resist: Built in 1952, the home was purportedly designed for someone who liked hosting parties. The story goes that during an early housewarming, the sizable pool got the Hollywood glamour treatment, as one of its first occupants was competitive swimmer and actor Esther Williams, who helped popularize synchronized swimming in a slate of midcentury movies.

All the recent updates on this home got us inside. For starters, the classic brick façade received a fresh new color scheme, black with chartreuse on the decorative midcentury wood screens. In the front yard, a newer fence and modern landscaping line the street, allowing privacy for a second deck that has another outdoor lounge.

There’s a formal entry in the front, and then a side door leads to the new kitchen. There, handsome charcoal cabinetry forms a big U-layout topped with white quartz counters, and a dedicated coffee counter. A custom, solid walnut butcher-block breakfast bar underscores a large picture window with far-reaching views.

The kitchen is open to the adjacent living and dining rooms, which benefit from another wall of east-facing windows, these with a cool canted feature where they meet the ceiling. Such is how the home’s original midcentury features are woven throughout, from the clerestory windows in a bedroom to the living room with its original Roman brick fireplace feature wall, now painted white with a custom walnut mantle to meld with the rest of the updates.

The main floor has two bedrooms, including the primary with a large closet area, and a remodeled bathroom. The latter has a double vanity, heated floors, and a luxe curbless, walk-in shower. The deep deck wraps the rear side of the house, with access from both the primary bedroom and kitchen.

Downstairs, find a door to the tuck-under, two-car garage (the long driveway connects to the street behind the house), a bonus office, and laundry room with interior stairs that connect back to the kitchen.

Post-remodel, the large basement rec room now has a third bedroom with sliding glass doors to the pool, but that doesn’t mean it’s no longer party-ready. There’s a sizable second living room with original woodburning stove, decorative screen, and a revamped wet bar, as well as a full bathroom that also has an exterior door to the pool, making it easy for swimmers to rinse off.

And not to worry, this isn’t just a summer-loving house: down here, there’s even an in-house custom Finlandia sauna, perfect for the colder months and coping with the eventual change of seasons.

Listing Fast Facts

• Address: 1812 SE Mountain View Dr, Portland, OR 97215
• Size: 2,209 square feet/3 bedroom/2 bath
• List Date: 9/7/2023 
• List Price:  $1,175,000
• Listing Agent: Marisa Swenson, Modern Homes Collective

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].