The Lair Hill neighborhood was considered one of the first suburbs of the burgeoning city of Portland, thanks to its accessible location just south of downtown and relatively flat geography that was easy to build on. At the turn of the twentieth century, it was the city’s most diverse neighborhood and an immigrant enclave, predominantly populated by Italians and those of Jewish descent, but also French, Turkish, and African American.

Much later, it became known for its activism, specifically in a 1970s push to create the South Portland Historic District, and save the neighborhood from being razed for urban development. That effort led to the establishment of the city’s neighborhood association system, which is intended to give voice to residents in city planning efforts.

And so, walking up this block on SW Seco^nd Avenue, we see how tangible that history is, with so many of the still-standing buildings built in the late 1800s, from the Queen Anne flair of the 1890 Corkish Apartments, to this house from 1886 constructed in the more modest Rural Vernacular style, which speaks to the neighborhood’s working-class origins. But the stained-glass panel over the front door is a hint that there’s a little more to it.

Inside, the historic home has been transformed to feel like a pared-back artist’s loft, with soaring ceilings capped by a row of skylights, a flowing open concept plan demarked by arabesque arches, and crisp, smooth-coat white walls perfect for hanging art. Throughout the first floor, many of the windows have been given stained-glass inserts—an artsy way to foster privacy—as well as fir wood frames. The floors, nine-inch-wide Douglas fir planks, further underscore the gallery vibe throughout.

It’s not all form and no function, though. The layout puts the kitchen, revamped with a tile backsplash, quartz counters atop flat-front cabinets, and open shelves, at the rear, so it has easy access to the double glass doors that lead to the deck and fenced backyard. Various nooks support the flowing living spaces, like a reading alcove beside the stairs, an enclosed office/third bedroom off the entry, and an extra lounge area between the kitchen and dining room. A freestanding fireplace in the latter is at the center of the house, and gives off an industrial look, but its placement is pretty optimal for distributing heat.

Upstairs, find two large bedrooms with peekaboo views to the main skylights at either end of the catwalk hallway. One of the rooms has double-glass doors to an upper deck, so there’s a total of three outdoor living spaces. In the bathroom, a clawfoot tub sits under a second set of skylights, making for a flattering influx of natural light, and just the right amount of artist’s garret mood.

Listing Fast Facts 

• Address: 2731 SW Second Ave, Portland, OR 97201
• Size: 2,647 square feet/3 bedroom/1.5 bath 
• List Date: 4/9/2024 
• List Price: $724,900
• Listing Agent: Michelle McCabe, Windermere Realty Trust

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].