Among the private houses that can genuinely be called unique in Portland, one that must always be included is the fabulous Bitar Mansion, commanding a tree- lined knoll on the northern edge of Laurelhurst Park. One of the most brilliant jewels among the large houses ringing the park, this sweeping Mediterranean mas- terpiece features 17 remarkable rooms, a charming circa-1920s swimming pool, stately Italianate gardens complete with weathered statuary, and a greenhouse out of Jules Verne. Originally built for Dornbecker Furniture executive H.A. Green in 1927, the sprawling stucco and tile mansion took on a particularly distinctive air in 1951, after being purchased by Robert Bitar, the honorary consul of Lebanon for Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Bitar and his brother were also long known in Portland, of course, as successful businessmen in con- struction and real estate. Under the Bitar family’s stew- ardship, the colorful mansion on Ankeny became one of the mag- nets for important social gath- erings in this city over a 30- year period. Talk about honor- ing diversity on the guest list! House visitors included every- one from world-renowned clas- sical pianist Van Cliburn, to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the presi- dents of Lebanon and Costa Rica, U.N. General Assembly leaders, top U.S. cabinet officials, senators and congresspeople, Oregon gov- ernors, and even a handful of Miss Americas. While many of these dignitaries and celebrities enjoyed dancing and socializing in the mansion’s beautiful below-street-level ball- room, it’s difficult to know where to begin to detail the charms of this distinctive Portland home. And, certainly, when the Bitars lived in the home, its carefully selected furniture and ornaments fit in the estate’s lavish setting perfectly. There were Napoleonic antiques, Chinese vases, Tiffany lamps, a rare Steinway electronic piano with a carved Italian casing, and magnificent oil paintings in abundance. Located at 3316 S.E. Ankeny, the house stretches majestically across its acre of land, distinguished by a large entranceway statue of cher- ubs cavorting with a dolphin. The ornate, gold iron grill at the front drive is simply regal. It leads into a spectacular Italian-tiled vesti- bule topped by a mirrored, chan- deliered ceiling. Just beyond the carved front door is a long, majestic living room with elegant French doors leading to the gar- den, and passages to the formal dining room and a sunken par- lor and garden room. The impres- sive foyer serves as the entrance to a broad, curving staircase dis- tinguished by an intricate bronze- and-wrought-iron railing. It spi- rals artfully, leading visitors up the bell-cast entrance tower to spa- cious second-story rooms, several of which look out onto the park. The house was one of the signa- ture residences of famed Portland architectural innovator Herman Brookman. The New York-trained architect moved to Portland in 1924 at the behest of local depart- ment store magnate M. Lloyd Frank (of Meier & Frank). In Portland, Brookman first designed Frank’s lavish country estate, Fir Acres, which he completed in 1925. That English-styled home, a National Historic Register treasure, later became the administrative build- ing of Lewis and Clark College. In 1927, the same year he built the Ankeny Street mansion, Brookman undertook what was probably the most difficult assignment of his life —Northwest Portland’s fabulous Temple Beth Israel, completed in concert with the famed Portland architectural firm of Morris H. Whitehouse. Brookman also did many other private homes, of varying sizes, including the nota- ble Barbara Price House (1926) on S.W. Buena Vista. Now that the Bitar mansion is going on the market for the first time in 56 years, it has afforded a few individuals opportunities to take a closer look at what is, undoubtedly, one of the more interesting local private homes. We on the Dan Volkmer team had the pleasure of viewing the home in depth and can report that it remains in original condition from the formal dining room to the phenomenal master upstairs bath- room that features floor to ceiling, gold-leaf-trimmed tile. On this page, and the reverse, I welcome you to linger over our recent photographs of this spe- cial Herman Brookman-designed home—truly a classic. In fact, if you linger over the pho- tos of this gorgeous home in the right frame of mind, you just might be able to imagine yourself nursing a glass of Dom Perignon ’59 in the ballroom on a magical evening, lis- tening to Van Cliburn play Chopin for Eleanor Roosevelt. From Dan’s Front Porch The recent storm over the fate of the Northwest Neighborhood Cultural Center was the latest example of Portlanders drawing lines in the sand over preservation. Well, preservation—whether of a great local house (see the story, above, on the Bitar Mansion), or a community treasure like the Cultural Center—is what this newsletter is all about. I’ve been working in local real estate for some 30 years, and publishing this newsletter almost as long. We’ve seen many contro- versies, victories and defeats in the work of saving the great buildings for current and future generations. The very neigh- borhood we live in is designated “historic” at a federal level. In the final analysis, Northwest Portland is nothing more or less than a collection of streets that are distinguished by some of the most magnificent buildings in the Northwestern U.S. Politics aside, that’s the reason I applaud when anyone has the courage to stand up and say, “We’re not going to tear this down.” Northwest Portland is its wonderful architecture. Exploring the Fabulous Bitar Mansion Portland’s Former Lebanese Consulate Published by Dan Volkmer 503-497-5158 www.danvolkmer.com 733 NW 20th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97209 “I know the true value of your home.” Jan./Feb. 2006 Vol. 15 No. 1 On the market: $2.8 million HOMES FOR SALE Here are just a few of the beautiful homes now available in Northwest Portland. Call Dan Volkmer for details. 733 N.W. 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97209 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 11 Dan Volkmer 503-497-5158 www.danvolkmer.com VIVACIOUS VICTORIAN 1610 SW Broadway Drive Rumor says this wonderfully restored, updated Victorian farmhouse is the original homestead of Davenport Farm. 10-ft. ceilings, fabulous stained glass, plenty of built-ins, gourmet kitchen with island, Ann Sacks tiled master bath and kitchen make a warm, inviting home for entertaining and relaxing. Level, treed yard allows gracious outdoor living. Attached garage accessible through cozy semi-finished basement. Office/den with adjoining potting room and laundry center. An easy living, historic charmer. Minutes to downtown Portland. 2,120 S.F., 3 BD, 2 BA, MLS #5086621 $479,000 THE AMERICAN, CLASSIC CONDO — ALPHABET DISTRICT ELEGANCE 2083 NW Johnson #26 Beautiful old-world craftsmanship in the center of one of Portland’s most exciting neighborhoods and one of the Alphabet District’s most beautiful historic buildings. Gleaming hardwoods, beautiful Craftsman woodwork and details, leaded-glass built-ins and historic colors on walls. This classic building makes a wonderful home or pied-à-terre, steps from NW 23rd and the Pearl. Off-street parking and storage included. Low taxes until 2009, too! 1,075 S.F., 2 BD, 1 BA MLS #5092423 $279,000