Portland architect James Oliver’s award-winning residence, a seven-level tower on a sloped 0.19-acre lot in Hillsdale, is for sale.
The Northwest modern house, built in 1971 at 6432 S.W. Burlingame Place, is listed at $850,000.
The property was briefly listed for sale in 2024 at $1,095,000.
The lower asking price allows for the new owner to perform work needed on the 4,560-square-foot house, said listing agent Kim Kress of Eleete Real Estate.
“It’s a perfect find for a buyer wanting an investment home in a highly sought-after neighborhood,” she said. Once updated, the property “will be the envy of many.”
Oliver selected the hillside lot and designed the wood-and-glass structure to capture views while blending with the landscape and providing privacy.
The cedar-clad dwelling was constructed 55 years ago when zoning codes did not count the top floor studio or three floors below street level as part of the height limit.
The zoning codes changed soon after construction, making the Oliver house one of a kind, said Kress.
The living room tower, stair tower and the tower with the kitchen and primary bedroom are connected by bridges.
Suspended fireplaces hang from cedar-planked ceilings. Other modern and inventive features — including a large kitchen island for gathering and workspace — earned Oliver and his residence recognition across the globe.
The family room and a loft are under a two-story-tall ceiling. A reading room, primary suite with a sunken tub and sauna, and two bedrooms are on one level.
A guest studio has a separate entrance, kitchenette, bathroom and private deck. The finished basement includes a bonus room and one of the home’s five bathrooms, and the heated workshop’s roll-up glass door opens to a large deck.
Portland real estate agent Elysse Ralph toured the property after it was put on the market March 3 and she produced a video posted to Instagram showing how the rooms flow together.
“It’s not often I see such a unique property,” Ralph told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “You could feel the whimsy and fun James had in the architecture and design of this home.”
Ralph said while the functionality of the home “isn’t perhaps for everyone,” its architectural design is rarely seen, and she’s happy its original charm is intact.
“With a city chock-full of Craftsman homes, it’s a breath of fresh air to walk through such an artful masterpiece,” she said.
Oliver’s family has been the only owner of the home. He died in 2017.
Kress said the potential new owner could be an outdoor, nature and Northwest enthusiast, and someone who admires Oliver’s work.
“Architects and design personalities will love this property,” Kress said, as will “buyers pursuing an inspirational setting, and those who love the privacy of living close in.”
She also cites the solitude of a Southwest Portland neighborhood, which offers a quick bike or hike to Hillsdale, Multnomah Village and nearby parks.
History of the house
Oliver’s stacked box house is included in the City of Portland’s Historic Resource Inventory and was honored by the American Institute of Architects’ Portland Chapter and Progressive Architecture magazine.
Sunset magazine featured the dwelling on its cover in 1972. Architectural Record named the residence one of its “Record Houses″ and Better Homes and Gardens profiled the kitchen in 1975.
“Most visitors come in the front door and all they can say is ‘wow,’” said Oliver’s widow, Peggy Oliver, who is selling the home. “It’s the best place you’ll want to live and work.”
Peggy Oliver of Portland met Jim Oliver after the Kansas-born architect purchased the lot.
“Jim had wonderful ideas of designing a remarkable house,” said Peggy, adding that her husband built a balsa-wood model to explain the inventive layout.
The structure was formed with prefabricated wood wall panels and roof trusses, and was lifted into place with a crane that was placed on the front bridge entry, she said.
The couple worked together on the house and during the building, people would ask to look inside.
“We held lots of wonderful parties here” with friends and family as well as some Oregon Symphony members, and held fundraisers, Peggy Oliver said.
The Olivers opened their home for the Women’s Architectural League home tour. For eight years, they held a fundraiser for Our House of Portland, a nonprofit organization that provides integrated health and housing services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
James Oliver’s hobbies included HO scale model trains, planes and sports cars. He earned his private pilot license when he was 80, Peggy Oliver said. “It was a wonderful life living with such a talented man,” she added. “I hope someone will love the home as much as I.”
James Oliver designed several homes in Lake Oswego, Pacific City and Portland and helped with the Vollum Center at Reed College.
Another one-owner midcentury modern house Oliver designed in Portland’s Southwest Hills sold in May 2024 for $900,000, $50,000 more than the asking price. An offer was accepted after eight days on the market.