According to architectural historian Thomas Hubka, the foursquare is one of Portland's "Greatest Housing Hits," which perhaps makes this one in University Park a total earworm. We love the look of it from the front, including all of the trademark tells of its type, like the full front porch with columns, the cubic facade, and the pyramidal roof topped with a mini dormer. But it just gets better and better once you're inside.

Built in 1911 and remodeled by Fore Story Projects, it has an interior that stays true to the historic form, with just-right upgrades to make it feel fresh. We're talking about the refinished Doug fir floors, unpainted woodwork, and antique hardware mixed with Pratt & Larson tile and a steam shower. Priced at $725,000, it's no wonder it went pending after five days.

The front door placement is off to the side, which signals a standard foursquare interior layout, including, as the name implies, four grand rooms, one at each corner: an entry hall, kitchen, living, and dining. This particular plan has been tweaked, swapping the dining room and living room so the former is at the front, and the latter takes up a cozy position toward the rear, with wide cased doors connecting them for easy circular flow.

In the fourth corner is a large kitchen, elegantly updated with quartzite counters, Pratt & Larson tile, and a handy central island for prep, casual meals, and guest perching during dinner parties. Appliances are high-end, including a Wolf range and Sub-Zero fridge, while the sink is in a nearby antechamber that we're calling the scullery. It's a quaint utilitarian spot with a ton of storage, dishwasher, open shelves, and an unlacquered brass faucet by Perrin & Rowe to suds under.

There are a few extras on this floor, including a sound-remediated laundry room, pretty powder bath with basketweave tile and wallpaper, and a darling sunporch that leads to the big backyard on the oversize lot.

Upstairs, the standard foursquare layout has been tweaked again, this time to include an en-suite bathroom for the primary bedroom. (There is often only one bathroom per the bedroom floor in these houses.) Old and new continue to comingle beautifully here, with a wall-mounted sink, period lighting, and floor tile, combined with a generous steam shower. Two bedrooms and second bathroom round out this level, the latter with colorful hex tile and a cast-iron tub. 

Around back, the yard is zoned for growing (with raised garden beds), dining, and lounging, with a pergola wired in dimmable mood lighting. There's also access to another old Portland fave: the alley. Typically found only on the east side in neighborhoods platted before 1909, alleyways used to be for horse and wagon access before cars became all the rage. Of course, in keeping with all the thoughtful upgrades, there's no barn here, but a two-car garage with a driveway.

Listing Fast Facts

• Address: 5802 N Syracuse St, Portland, OR 97203
• Size: 2,404 square feet, 3 bed/2.5 bath
• List Date: 10/23/2025
• List Price: $725,000
• Listing Agent: Calle Holmgren, Friday and Company
• Styling: Nicole Wear

Melissa Dalton is a freelance writer who has focused on Pacific Northwest design and lifestyle since 2008. 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].