In 1922 the Rose City Park Association sold this amazing 9000 square foot parcel to David and Elsie Wilson. Shortly afterward the Wilsons drafted plans and two years later they constructed the home that today many northeast Portlanders refer to as their favorite.
Since 1988, the Hicks Family have been the careful stewards of this home which stands today as tall and proudly as ever on the same amazing stretch of Alameda Street that has made it famous. As you approach the home you are quickly taken by its scale and architectural details. The hip roof and deep soffits with repeating corbels draw your eye into the incredible front porch whose width and depth are hard to match. Adding to its beauty is its clever functionality which is made possible by a second hip roof that shelters two thirds of the porch while allowing a pergola to encourage southern light to diffuse across its final third seamlessly.
Entering the home you quickly recognize what makes Old Portland's so special as the grand foyer draws you into the home's stunning formal spaces. To the south, the living room welcomes you in with it's stunning fireplace, expansive windows and incredible millwork, while the gracious dining room anchors the northwest wing with its jaw dropping built-in hutch. Unlike many Old Portland's the Hicks Home has a depth and scale far greater than what many are accustomed to seeing with a main floor footprint of over 1600 square feet. Its original southeastern wing features a large sitting room which leads you into the home's main floor office, while the new northeastern wing showcases the home's new gourmet kitchen and open family room stretching over 30 feet in depth. The kitchen features amazing custom cabinetry, a cook's island, beautiful hard surfaces, a pass through butler's pantry and Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, while it's adjacent family room allows for the great room functionality so many desire today. Rounding out the main floor is an updated powder room and notable finish details which include refinished oak flooring, refurbished artisan glass windows and designer colors throughout.
Moving upstairs your admiration for the home's design only deepens as you find yourself at the second floor landing which serves as the perfect axis to four bedrooms. This hard to find configuration is made more notable because of the large scale of each of the bedrooms. At the northwest corner is the owner's suite which has been carefully updated with double closets and an amazing remodeled bathroom. A double vanity with duravit fixtures is juxtaposed perfectly to the amazing shower with 3/8" glass and a tiled shower pan, while the remainder of the space highlights clever custom cabinetry and perfect fixture placement at almost every turn. The northeast and southwest bedrooms offer an elegant symmetry to the upstairs, while the fourth bedroom at the southeast corner features a picture perfect private outdoor deck which allows you take in the incredible back and side yard grounds of the property.
As you head back downstairs towards the basement you will notice the gracious stairwell which has been completely reconfigured alongside the kitchen remodel and addition. Comfortable treads and head height allow you to enter the amazing finished basement with almost 1100 square feet of space. An expansive family room and playroom with new carpet and built-ins make up the western side of this lower level, while a full bathroom, gym space, wine cellar and gracious laundry room round out the remainder. Like the above grade floors, you can't help but notice the incredible care the Hicks have applied to every corner of this home which includes updated mechanicals, plumbing and electrical in addition to so many of notable the finish details.
Beyond this amazing 4000 square foot home are the exterior amenities which add to its grandeur. On the east side of the home is an expansive ipe deck in addition to a hot tub which is sheltered in the private northeast corner of the property. The south side of the home features its noteworthy side yard which includes the home's gated driveway, gorgeous two car carriage house and large yard with custom stone patio, water feature and amazing grounds. Space is abundant on this property which was part of the amazing vision of the Wilsons 99 years ago. Coupling that vision with the incredible stewardship the Hicks have applied to this property for over 30 years and it is no wonder why this home is the most coveted in the community.
-Jim Arnal
