The Oregonian

Past Perfected

Builders combine best of old, new

Originally Published April 1, 2007, The Oregonian by Jan Behrs

Neighborhoods such as Alameda, Irvington, Laurelhurst, Ladd's Addition, Dunthorpe and the West Hills boast an enviable stock of signature homes from the turn of the 20th century, many designed by prominent builders and architects of the day.

Here and there, however, stand homes not quite so grand or notable; the eras that lovers of fine craftsmanship celebrate also include plenty run-of-the-mill dwellings. What to do, then, when one of these --often abused and dilapidated --sits on prime real estate within a venerable neighborhood with good schools and otherwise desirable housing stock?

Builders Brett Fogelstrom and David Hassin believe the answer is to craft homes that look old but live new.

Their companies, Fogelstrom Design Build and Terrafirma Building, create homes with Arts & Crafts, French Country or English lines similar to those of other homes in old Portland neighborhoods. Yet their interiors --while classically finished with inlaid floors, built-in bookcases and wood crown molding --also include open kitchen-family rooms, master baths, second-floor laundries near bedrooms, and wiring for sound, security, video and Internet.

These beauties honor the beloved styles of the past but step securely into the future with features for today.

Two 2006-built homes currently for sale, one built by Hassin at 3015 S.W. Bennington Drive in Arlington Heights, and another built by Fogelstrom at 2408 N.E. 27th Ave. in Dolph Park, boast an attention to detail that often leads to amazed appreciation from those who tour them.

To the lament, "They just don't build 'em like they used to," these builders say: "Oh yes, we do."

"I've been working on rehabilitation of old four-squares for nearly 10 years, and in that process I've discovered the things that work well and the things that don't. These are my first homes from scratch, and I wanted to gather all the good things in one place," said Fogelstrom, who built the side-by-side Old Portland-style homes at 2408 and 2416 N.E. 27th Ave.

The home at 2416 sold last fall, but the six-bedroom, 4.5-bath home at 2408 is on the market. It's listed for $1,529,000 with broker Billy Grippo of Windermere/Cronin & Caplan Realty Group.

Originally, a dilapidated single-story home sat across the two city lots.

"A tear-down is not my mindset normally; I try to bring them back," Fogelstrom said, but he felt this one wasn't worth saving. "I saw a rare opportunity to create something really special here. Two homes of this stature being built in the heart of Irvington has not happened in decades."

The main level of the 5,180-square-foot home includes formal living and dining rooms straight out of the early 20th century, and an exquisitely designed kitchen-family room that combines the best of old and new. The kitchen has a granite-slab island; Dacor, Bosch and Sub-Zero appliances; and a dining nook flooded with natural light. Outside is a welcoming entertaining space with a wood-burning fireplace, as well as a back porch with wide steps for sitting.

Floors are Brazilian cherry and spaces are human-scaled, with careful attention to wood trim, tile and sandstone fireplace surrounds and wood-clad double-hung windows. There's also surround sound, a central vacuum, an intercom and a three-car garage. A dumbwaiter stands ready to haul groceries from car to kitchen.

The second floor features four wool-carpeted bedrooms, including a master suite with a heated, Travertine marble bathroom floor. There's also a laundry room, a sunny sitting area and balconies.

"The third floor was for fun --it's a big, open, finished space that could be a ballroom," Fogelstrom said. "Or it would be great for a studio; it has great light."

"What I like about this house is that none of the space is wasted," said Grippo, the listing broker. "A lot of new construction is built on drama, rather than usefulness. This has drama but it also has flow. And, after 20 years, it's going to look like it was always here."

The home will be open Sunday, April 1, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.