Living Room Realty Headquarters

This 1962 building in Portland’s Central Eastside was not an obvious choice for a historic rehabilitation project at the outset. Shrouded by shrubbery and razor wire when purchased, the structure was one that easily receded into the urban landscape and did not present itself as being “historic.”

In 2019, the developers reached out to Jessica to find out if the building could be listed in the National Register, allowing the project to take advantage of tax incentives. Beyond the overgrown landscaping, the interior featured a unique vaulted wood ceiling with geometric stained glass windows that suggested the design might have some architectural significance. Through in-depth research, Jessica discovered that the building was originally built for the Postal Employees Credit Union and was designed by two local architects who were incorporating elements of Northwest Regionalism into their modern designs.

While the regulators were initially skeptical about the building’s eligibility, Jessica persevered. Thinking strategically, she completed a carefully-crafted Statement of Significance which demonstrated that the building was one of the more unique and intact examples of a modern bank building in Portland. Because the developers wanted to celebrate the mid-century character of the building and restore the original design features, there were few challenges getting the tax incentives approved. The building is now an architecture gem on SE Stark Street that catches your eye rather than fading to the background. It also won a DeMuro Award in 2021.