PORTLAND, Ore. – Two houses will be torn down on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard to clear the way for a four-story mixed-use apartment complex.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
Located at and near the corner of Southeast 44th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard, both houses are built on 5,000-square-foot standard lots. At 1515 SE 44th a two-story house built in 1909 totals 1,967 square feet in size.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
Next door to the west, a two-story house at 4334 SE Hawthorne Blvd. built in 1921 totals 1,462 square feet in size.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
As reported by the Portland Chronicle last month, on Sept. 2 the Bureau of Development Services received an application for early assistance for development on the property. The application calls for a four-story mixed-use development with 30 residential units and ground floor retail space.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
At that time there was no indication in records that the property at 4334 SE Hawthorne Blvd. would be involved, but since then a property transaction has been recorded.
Both properties sold in late October, according to county records. The 1909 house sold from Endeavor Equity Partners LLC to The Truman LLC, while the 1921 house sold from Thomas Ruminski to The Truman LLC.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
No sales price is listed on the 1909 house, but the 1921 house sale lists a price of $500,000. Often when multiple properties are sold together to a buyer, property records list the full price associated with one of the lots and no dollar value on the others. This suggests both houses sold for a combined total of $500,000.
The Truman LLC, organized in mid-September, is registered to Don Mutal.
Mutal is involved with another in-the-works demolition and redevelopment project on Southeast Ankeny Street, reported on by the Portland Chronicle earlier this year. He is also associated with the demolition of a 59-year-old warehouse in the Northwest District. Mutal has previously worked on the Pearl District’s 300 Building and The Kingston.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
On Nov. 18 the city received applications for demolition of both houses, a garage and the billboard that rises on the corner lot.
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Because the houses are located in a commercial zone, the 35-day demolition delay standard to residential tear-downs was waived and the permits were issued the same day.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
Several large sequoia trees are located on the property line between the two houses to be demolished. While it is unclear at this point, given the plans for new development that requires demolition of both houses, it is likely the trees between them will be felled.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle