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 str