In the late 1950s, Art Simonson and Gerhardt (Gay) Stabney decided to create a neighborhood in East Portland called Argay Terrace, the word “Argay” being a portmanteau of the homebuilders' first names. Of course, this was at a time when automobile supremacy made it so houses in newly developed areas could spread out more than their closer-in counterparts, which was exactly what Simonson and Stabney planned for: bigger houses on bigger lots, with wide streets that curve into loops and cul-de-sacs. And always: a garage for one, or even two, of the family cars.

Completed between the 1950s and 1970s, Argay Terrace was one of a few such midcentury neighborhoods developed on the east side, and the biggest, stretching from I-84 to the Columbia River, and from NE 122nd to about NE 148th Avenue. It retains a concentration of its quintessential midcentury homes, not to mention a little bit of an aura of stepping back in time—enough so that, two years ago, Restore Oregon conducted a driving tour of the neighborhood’s housing styles.

This 1963 build on NE 126th Avenue is a fine example: a one-story ranch that sits nicely atop its sloped lot—oversized by Portland standards at more than 10,000 square feet—with a gently terraced front yard, curving brick walkway, and covered front porch with built-in planter. The Roman brick façade has been given a fresh coat of paint, along with a wood accent wall and new glass front door, all hinting at the home’s recent overhaul.

Inside, the changes are more pronounced. Gone are the splashy mirrored walls and chandeliers left over from a previous remodel in favor of a more subdued and streamlined look. The original oak and parquet floors have been refinished in a lighter tone, and the living room fireplace is surrounded in smooth-coat drywall. Large picture windows at the couch and dining room table capture views of Mount St. Helens on a clear day. Thanks to quartz counters, bamboo cabinets, and terrazzo tile floors, the kitchen feels like a natural extension of the other rooms.

The ranch house layout has been the most popular floor plan in the United States for a long time, as it puts all the bedrooms and living spaces on the same level and typically incorporates easy access to a large garage. (Of course, this garage is almost 500 square feet.)

A long corridor buffers the three bedrooms and bathrooms from the living spaces arrayed at the front, and the updated finishes in the latter—things like terra-cotta-toned tile, a large walk-in shower in the primary suite, and brushed brass Schoolhouse Electric hardware—all keep with the prevailing aesthetic.

Downstairs, there’s a new twist on the traditional plan. In addition to two nonconforming bedrooms and a third bathroom, there’s a speakeasy and family room tucked behind a slatted white oak wall with a hidden door. There, the built-in bar and two-sided brick fireplace are preserved, now joined by punchy retro wallpaper, birch plywood walls, cork floors, and a pitch-perfect Nelson Saucer Bubble pendant light over the table.  

Listing Fast Facts 

• Address: 3345 NE 126th Ave, Portland, OR 97230
• Size: 3,528 square feet/5 bedroom/3 bath 
• List Date: 2/22/2024 
• List Price: $785,000
• Listing Agent: Ben Rezac, Together Homes, Opt Real Estate
• Styling: Copeland + Co. Interiors

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].