The Apartment Building in Portland, 1900-1930: An Introductory Survey

In 1904, the category "apartment houses" first appeared in the Portland City Directory.  While only four buildings were listed, the new term signified the emergence of a new building type, one that differed from the boarding houses, hotels, and other multi-dwelling units of the time.

Within a few years, Portland's explosive growth pushed this new form of housing to be an integral part of the city's urban landscape. By 1910, 90 apartment houses were advertised in the directory, and by 1930 there were 750! Even so, the rise of the apartment building remains a less studied part of Portland's architectural history.

This presentation by Ed Teague is an introduction to the history of Portland's apartment buildings from the early 20th century to the Depression Era. Ed will explore the factors that influenced the evolution of this building type, such as improvements in materials, advances in construction and transportation systems, and the growth of the real estate industry. Moreover, the presentation will illustrate the skill and versatility of Portland's leading architects as they expanded their design portfolios to include a new kind of housing.

Ed Teague is the head of the Architecture & Allied Arts Library at the University of Oregon.

This lecture program is held at the Architectural Heritage Center - 701 SE Grand Avenue

Parking is on-street (free on Saturdays) or in the parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue between SE Yamhill and Belmont Streets - just to the north of the Grand Marketplace. Do not use the lot where Dutch Bros. Coffee is located. Thank you to Bolliger and Sons Insurance for sharing their lot with us for our evening and Saturday education programs.