The 1946 ranch-style home at NE 24th and Regents is no more. Out on a walk today, here is what we observed:
Above, what it used to look like, a photo borrowed from the online listing.
Here’s the same view today.
Looking north toward Alameda Ridge.
We’ve been watching this house for the last several months, having read in the neighborhood newsletter that it had been slated for demolition and that multiple houses were going to be built back in its place. As we stood on the corner taking in the change, almost every passerby stopped to roll down their window and look. Many took pictures. Everyone seemed surprised, and not in a good way.
The real estate listing said this of the home:
Stunningly updated Alameda Mid-Century modern. This rare one-level home, on a double corner lot, boasts high-end appliances, central air, heated floors, two fireplaces and a zen-like garden retreat with a tea-house and hot tub.
We suppose cashing in on the value of the double lot eclipsed the value of the “rare one-level home.”
We’ve written about the demolition trend here on AH in the past when it has changed the face of the neighborhood. To read more about how demolitions are changing neighborhoods across Portland—and to track them on an interesting map—check out Restore Oregon, which is hard at work to advocate for protections, alternatives and education.
There’s another house we’ve been watching—a 1921 Craftsman bungalow on the northwest corner of Skidmore and 30th that has been vacant for a while. This fall, the Alameda Newsletter reported that it was also a candidate for tear-down.
2933 NE Skidmore, built in 1921.
In fact, here’s text from that listing:
Builders! Investors! 50×50 lot in desirable Alameda neighborhood. Land division has been approved for an attached home by the City of Portland. Build attached house on each lot in one of Portland’s A+ neighborhoods! Buyer to do due diligence. House of no value. Value in Land only.
Did you catch that sentence: “House of no value.”
Really?
Did you catch the rest of the ad: this property has gone from one 50 x 100 corner lot to two 50 x 50 lots, approved by the city, and it must host an attached home (row house or duplex). Have a look at the attached home/duplex being built on NE 32nd between Sumner and Emerson (or worse, the one being built on NE 30th between Killingsworth and Jarrett) for a taste of what might be coming our way.
2933 NE Skidmore will likely be the next Alameda tear down. More on that house next.
Alameda Old House History 
The 24th and Regents house was the home of Linda Carr and her parents during the 1950s and 60s. Linda was a student at Alameda and a classmate. I remember being in their home and thinking how modern it seemed in comparison to our home on 30th between Knott and Stanton. Sad to see these fine homes demolished.
Don’t even get me started on the demos all over town. It’s such a down right dirty shame. The poorly built homes that they are building in the place of these beautiful old homes will not stand the test of time. They are the tear-downs of 2030. Mark my words.
Our friends, the Hoys, live smack next door on Skidmore. Rachel works for BDS at city and can tell stories about that house sale and “redo” history in the last year. She can talk about most of it if u want to know more. I know a little from our walk last week. Amy
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I am saddened by the city allowing these vintage homes to be torn down. In so many cases, they contain beautiful wood and designs that will never be seen again. People will buy these homes!! Let’s get petition going to the city officials!!!
My wife and I toured the Skidmore house when it was first up for sale — we thought we might be able to purchase it and rehab it the way we were able to do our own home (literally around the corner on 29th).
We realized very quickly that it was probably not worth it for us. These homes (ours included) need a lot of “unsexy repairs”. Things like: foundation, chimney, insulation, roof, plumbing, electrical (knob & tube wiring, etc), lead paint and asbestos. And yes, we had to deal with every one of those issues (http://amyandharrysnewhome.blogspot.com/2012/11/before-pictures.html).
This is a GIANT barrier to anyone looking to look after an older house — especially if the house is on a subdividable lot (which 50’x100′ corner lots usually qualify for). That fact alone will raise the price of a property beyond the means of an average homebuyer or flipper.
I love these old houses. We plan to live in ours until we die. But as my 90+-year-old neighbor said, “these houses got a lot of livin’ in ’em.” As much as I find the giant megolith houses with 10 square feel of yard or the characterless 4-story siamese houses with tuck-under garages, I understand why developers are building them.
This is just disgusting greed-not to mention that those of us who are aging in this neighborhood are painfully aware of the scarcity of single family homes on one level. What is wrong at City
Hall to let this happen (and the 2 eyesores on Fremont just N.E. of Alameda School!)
I think we are all experiencing a change in values as more and more people move to Portland with no ties to it’s history. I have lived in places like this before where there is a huge influx of people and increased demands for housing. I’ve only been here 7 years but now wonder if I want to stay because what attracted me were the old houses and neighborhoods. But the points Harry made are valid – older homes require a lot of renovating and updating and it is just too much for some people.