Street of (differing) Dreams

I had the occasion to visit the 2021 NW Natural Gas Street of Dreams a few weeks ago(the 2020 Street of Dreams was cancelled due to COVID).  I don't always go, but our company was a sponsor and we held an agent appreciation event there.  This year's show was in Happy Valley. It featured three homes at the main site, a container home and sleeping pod, and more affordable homes at a second site.

The Street of Dreams showcases trends in floor plans, features and interior design in the housing industry. The houses are usually quite large; largest this year was 7338 sq ft. Zion  (Heritage Crest 3).  I was drawn to the 3834 sq ft Ohana (Heritage Crest 2).  Both were built by Red Hills Construction.  Hygge, Heritage Crest 1, was built by Anlon Custom Homes.

As you might imagine all the homes had very generous outdoor "rooms" and spaces for outdoor entertaining (a nod to COVID?).  I'm always on the look out for the quirky feature.  This year's: jets to dry the shower after use.  I suppose this makes cleaning easier.  Back in the 1976 (before my time in real estate) they featured...built-in microwaves.  Cutting edge.

I was especially interested in the container home and sleeping pods. The Home Builders Foundation partnered with MODS PDX and Base Design Architecture on this project, showcasing affordable and energy efficient design options for addressing houselessness.  These particular units will be donated to one of the Home Builders Foundations' affiliate affordable housing partners. It would sure be great to see these designs in housing solutions around the metro area.

The Street of Dreams predecessor was the Parade of Homes, which started in 1937 and featured homes on N Michigan in Portland's Piedmont neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of the Portland Historical Society

Coincidentally, one of these homes is currently on the market with a colleague.  6106 N Michigan is a 2613 sq ft, 5 bedroom, 2 bath home , listed for $750,000. The house features original period details, hardwood floors, coved ceilings, gas fireplace insert, leaded glass windows. Kitchen w/butcher block counters & nook. Like the current Street of Dreams houses, this house also has a covered outdoor "room".

Today is the last day of the 2021 NW Natural Gas Street of Dreams. Online tickets may be in short supply.  Keep an eye out for the container home and sleeping pods to make an appearance. If y0u're waning more information on 6106 N Michigan, contact me, or the listing agent, Jamie Orr at jamieorr@remax.net.