Southeast Portland has more than its fair share of century-old, Craftsman-style houses, but few have owners as famous as the one at 928 S.E. 18th Ave.
Fans of Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock used to hang out near the wide front steps, hoping to catch the combustible indie-rock titan, one of the city’s most well-known and controversial, coming or leaving the home he’s owned since 2004.
He bought the 0.22-acre property at the end of a cul-de-sac months after “Float On” was released.
Today, real estate agents and their clients walk up to the completely restored, 3,860-square-foot house to see if its preserved 1909 floor plan and woodwork plus its updated kitchen and bathrooms are a fit.
The asking price: $1.3 million.
“It’s so true to urban Portland and yet has privacy and is so accessible to everything,” says listing agent Pat G. Kaplan of the Kaplan Real Estate Group.
The short block, which stops at the park with Colonel Summers Community Garden, is off Southeast Belmont Street and near restaurants, breweries, yoga studios and other gathering places. The Walkability Score is 4.7 out of 5, and the biking score is even higher, says Kaplan.
Visitors pass under the classic Craftsman covered porch to enter the foyer, where they can rest a bag on the vintage wood bench, then head into the 17-foot-long living room.
“This room feels very calming because of the beautiful wood,” says Kaplan, gesturing to the hardwood floor and crown molding. Several 1900s-era light fixtures illuminate the brick fireplace.
Open the pocket doors to the dining room, where under the box-beam ceiling are picture rails and wainscot.
The kitchen has modern stainless-steel appliances and period-looking shaker cabinets, checkerboard floors and subway tiles that complement the built-in sideboard. Look up to see tin ceiling tiles.
The two full bathrooms have been updated in a style evoking the turn-of-the-last century; one has a clawfoot tub, the master suite has a tiled shower. There is also a powder room.
Modest Mouse used to rehearse in this light-filled, 660-square-foot finished attic that can serve as a family or music room. Photo provided by Pat G. Kaplan of Kaplan Real Estate Group
One of the three bedrooms on the second level has a window seat, and above, the light-filled, 660-square-foot finished attic can be used as a family or music room.
Neighbors say the band used to rehearse in this elevated space and spend time on the adjoining deck.
There’s a deck on three levels: “You can watch the sunrise over the park" from the deck off of the master suite on the second floor, says Kaplan.
And the deck outside the kitchen on the ground floor overlooks a stone patio. Paths lead to mature trees, native plants and gardens outlined in boulders. An arbor is wrapped in grape vines.
There is room to expand into the basement, which stores new mechanical systems.
Taxes are $13,632 a year.
--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
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