The American Plaza Towers Condominiums are three high-rise buildings in the south end of downtown Portland.Danny Osterweil Photography
Victorian-era structures were replaced a half century ago to make way for the first high-rise condos in downtown Portland, a complex of three buildings set amid four acres of landscaped grounds and known as American Plaza Towers.
The concrete buildings, named Lincoln, Grant and Madison after presidents and Portland streets, rose over time, between 1972 and 1980, at Southwest First Avenue.
Residents of the 337 units, then and now, have round-the-clock security and concierge service, a parking spot and if they want, car-free living.
The complex north of Interstate 405 is blocks from Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University, and the MAX Orange Line and bus stops border the property.
“Many residents don’t have cars and rent their deeded parking space,” says Pat Baker, 74, who moved to the Lincoln Tower a decade ago to reduce her travel time to downtown.
Original American Plaza Towers’ advertisements enticed people looking for an urban home with the perks of low maintenance and “sophisticated condominium living.” Here, sliding glass doors open to terraces with views of Mount Hood and the Willamette River.
The complex’s indoor and outdoor swimming pools and saunas offer “country club relaxation,” according to early ads, and pedestrian walkways connect to the eight-block Portland Open Space Sequence of Keller Fountain Park, Pettygrove Park, Lovejoy Fountain Park and the Source Fountain as well as the area’s performance halls, restaurants and shopping.
In 1972, prices for a one-bedroom condo to a penthouse ranged from $24,900 to $119,000, and the average fixed 30-year mortgage was around 7.35%, wrote resident Barb Fagerstrom in the American Plaza Towers’ newsletter.
When new, the condos reflected 1970s trends of shag carpeting and metallic wallpaper, mirrored fireplace walls and “popcorn” asbestos ceilings.
Current listings show the individually owned homes have remained as time capsules or have been upgraded over the decades.
Most recently, remodels include opening the kitchen to the living and dining rooms, replacing small square tiles on counters with slabs of quartz or other stone, and switching a gas fireplace to an electric insert.
Although the fundamentals of living in a downtown Portland condominium are the same — the age-in-place advantages of single-level living and the simplicity of downsizing — condo values have followed economic ups and downs, and homeowners association fees have risen due to increases in maintenance, insurance and other expenses.
“The price points are still very attractive,” says Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group, who has four active listings in the American Plaza Towers, including a 2,661-square-foot penthouse in the Madison Tower for sale at $899,990, or $338 a square foot.
The penthouse’s homeowners association dues, which also cover on-site management, concierge and security services, meeting rooms, fitness areas with men and women’s locker rooms, cable TV, internet, trash, water fees and other amenities, are $1,408 a month. Dues are less for smaller condos, which start at around 900 square feet.
“The penthouse is special because of its size, three balconies and views of the mountain, river or city from every room,” says Gillis. “It’s like a house in the sky.”
The contemporary condo at 2309 S.W. First Ave. #2244 has an open living, dining and kitchen area. There is a fireplace in the living room and the primary bedroom suite, which also has a window seat and walk-in closet. There are two more bedrooms.
The media room has soundproof walls, and throughout the home are built-in cabinets, a stereo system and granite floors.
Gillis, who lived in one of the tower homes for eight years, says the sizes and layouts of the condos allow for families. Children she saw riding tricycles around the Plaza Garden years ago are now attending Ainsworth Elementary, West Sylvan Middle School and Lincoln High School.
Investors and people who are buying a home for their future appreciate that, unlike some condo associations, there is no cap on the number of units that can be rented.
Lincoln Tower resident Baker says the community activities are one of the reasons she likes living here. On Aug. 21, there was a party in the garden celebrating the American Plaza Towers’ 50th anniversary.
Here are homes on the market in the 18-story Lincoln Tower, built in 1972-1973 at 2211 S.W. First Ave.
Unit 401 at 2211 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Andrea Beyer of Windermere Realty Trust.Windermere Realty Trust
The condo has two bedrooms, one bathroom, one powder room and 1,166 square feet of living space plus a covered terrace, says listing agent Andrea Beyer of Windermere Realty Trust.
Homeowners association fees are $603 a month.
Unit G10 at 2211 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Liz Carpenter of RE/MAX Equity Group.RE/MAX Equity Group
The ground-floor condo with 1,408 square feet of living space plus a private patio in the fenced backyard sold on Aug. 25 for $425,500, which was $26,000 over the asking price.
An offer was accepted 20 days after the home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms was put on the market, says listing agent Liz Carpenter of RE/MAX Equity Group.
Homeowners association fees are $795 a month.
Unit 304 at 2211 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.Premiere Property Group
An offer has been accepted on the east-facing condo with 1,348 square feet of indoor living space plus a covered deck, says listing agent Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.
The living area floor is engineered hardwood, and the remodeled kitchen has quartz counters and an island. The two bedroom suites have walk-in showers.
Homeowners association fees are $689 a month.
Unit 604 at 2211 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Jan Huffstutter of Plaza Realty.Plaza Realty
The updated condo has 1,348 square feet of living space, says listing agent Jan Huffstutter of Plaza Realty.
The primary bedroom suite has a balcony and walk-in closet. There is also a guest bedroom and bathroom, plus a laundry room.
Homeowners association fees are $682 a month.
Here are homes on the market in the 26-story Grant Tower, which was completed in 1975 at 2221 S.W. First Ave.
Unit 221 at 2221 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Corie Gosse of John L. Scott/Woodstock.John L. Scott/Woodstock
The lower-level condo with a west-facing balcony has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,267 square feet of living space, says listing agent Corie Gosse of John L. Scott/Woodstock.
The home was updated with built-in cabinets, plantation shutters and a warm color scheme. The gas fireplace was converted to electric.
Homeowners association fees are $681 a month.
Unit 623 at 2221 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed by Cindy Sehorn Singh of Soldera Properties.Soldera Properties
The condo has a gas fireplace, tile floors, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,332 square feet of living space plus a covered deck, says listing agent Cindy Sehorn Singh of Soldera Properties.
Improvements include new interior paint.
Homeowners association fees are $744 a month.
Unit 2421 at at 2221 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed by Max Chau of Equity Oregon Real Estate.Equity Oregon Real Estate
From its location on the 24th floor, the 1,267-square-foot condo captures north, east and west views, says listing agent Max Chau of Equity Oregon Real Estate.
The updated kitchen has an induction stove, maple cabinets and granite counters. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Homeowners association fees are $751 a month.
Unit 1225 at 2221 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed by Stephen FitzMaurice with Jennifer Tangvald of eXp Realty.eXp Realty
The condo has 1,950 square feet of living space plus an extended covered balcony framing Mount Hood and South Waterfront, says listing agent Stephen FitzMaurice with Jennifer Tangvald of eXp Realty.
The upgraded kitchen has quartz counters and the dining room has built-in cabinets. The primary suite has one of the two fireplaces, a private balcony and walk-in closet. There are two more bedrooms and rare double windows in one of the two bathrooms.
Homeowners association fees are $1,012 a month.
In addition to the 2,661-square-foot penthouse, here are homes on the market in the 22-story Madison Tower, built in 1980 at 2309 S.W. First Ave.
Unit 1544 at 2309 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.Premiere Property Group
The condo has 1,497 square feet of living space and views of Mount Hood, the Willamette River, South Waterfront and Tilikum Crossing Bridge, says listing agent Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.
The living room and primary bedroom open to the terrace. There is also a guest bedroom and bathroom.
Homeowners association fees are $790 a month.
Unit 644 at 2309 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.Premiere Property Group
The two-bedroom condo has 1,497 square feet of living space and views of Mount Hood and the South Waterfront, says listing agent Kristin Gillis of Premiere Property Group.
The remodeled kitchen includes bamboo floors, custom maple cabinets and a large eating bar that opens to the dining and living areas with a stone fireplace and doors to a covered view deck.
There are quartz surfaces and custom cabinets in the two upgraded bathrooms.
Homeowners association fees are $709 a month.
Unit 245 at 2309 S.W. 1st Ave. is listed for sale by Jan Huffstutter of Plaza Realty.Plaza Realty
The condo has 2,062 square feet of living space and two balconies, says listing agent Jan Huffstutter of Plaza Realty.
In addition to two bedrooms and two bathrooms, there is an additional multi-use room that could be an office, family room or third bedroom.
Double-pane windows and glass sliding doors reduce outdoor noise and increase energy efficiency. Five ductless electric heating-air conditioning units also save on utility costs.
Homeowners association fees are $1,028 a month.
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