After much anticipation, internationally acclaimed architect Robert Oshatz has unveiled his latest architectural tour de force, a jaw-dropping, ultra-modern residence in Portland’s West Hills neighborhood.
Listed for $2,888,000, the newly completed home was designed by Oshatz, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. It is one of five planned homes tucked into the forest, four of which have yet to be built.
“It took about three years, but it is finally complete,” said listing agent Terry Sprague of LUXE | Forbes Global Properties. “Robert Oshatz is like the Andy Warhol/Peter Max of real estate. His designs are so completely unusual compared to commoditized architecture.”
The four-bedroom home’s steel-framed structure has curved wood ceilings, circular windows, disappearing glass walls, and an elevator that provides easy access to all four levels.
“It’s an incredibly visual home that’s designed for a collector who enjoys its shape and architecture,” Sprague noted. “I think the next buyer will be very compelled by the opportunity to own an appreciating piece of real estate.”
The architect used unique shapes, windows, and design to let light dance through the 3,700-square-foot space at various times during the day.
“He built in prisms,” Sprague said. “There’s a piece of glass set in a certain way that you see rainbows throughout the home. Every wall is a sculpture. Every window is a sculpture.”
“This is a wooded-view property,” he added. “It’s like living in nature and feels like a modern treehouse as the home is cantilevered out to the view.”
Sprague believes the residence will likely be used as a second or third home.
“Baby boomers are our largest consumer right now,” he said. “They’re high-net worth people from states like Arizona and Florida where they live full-time, and are buying very expensive pied-a-tierres like this.”
One of the biggest luxuries of living in nature is being able to wake up somewhere beautiful, Sprague said.
“Portland and the Pacific Northwest are one of the most beautiful places in the world with its Columbian Gorge, high mountain deserts, and clean air,” he noted. “This is a one-of-a-kind piece of architecture that has a whole different meaning than most real estate.”
There are four more lots that are “build ready” and seeking a “very creative, understanding curator.”
When complete, the five “one-of-a-kind” homes will share 90,000 square feet of forested acreage. Oshatz is locally known for his organic designs, including the Wilkinson Residence, the Rosenthal Residence, and the Fennell Residence.
“He had a vision for the homes to resemble a bouquet of flowers, so he hired Todd Delahunt as the general contractor to build this home,” Sprague added. “Robert Oshatz is over 80 years old and wanted to complete this home. Hopefully, this might inspire other custom builds, or the lots could be sold off to the buyer of this home.”
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Kellie Speed is a contributor to Realtor.com. As a writer and editor, she has worked for a variety of online and print publications, including Inked magazine, Jetset, Westchester magazine, JustLuxe, The Boston Globe, and U.S. Veterans Magazine. A Massachusetts native, Kellie attended Northeastern University for journalism, was previously the Boston editor for Haute Living, and contributed to Avalon Publishing’s Moon Metro Boston guidebook. Kellie writes celebrity profiles and covers restaurants, travel, and lifestyle.
