Live in the heart of Portland’s Cultural District in this gorgeous, recently renovated 27th-floor penthouse apartment with an extraordinary 360-degree view unmatched in the area. Perched atop the Benson Tower, this apex residence features the most spectacular views in Portland, including four magnificent Pacific Northwest mountains: Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams.
Home to Portland’s beloved entrepreneur Dave Dahl, founder of Dave’s Killer Bread, this property was purchased in 2017, and his must-haves for a downtown residence were a view-commanding height and outdoor decks.
“I looked all over, but there was nothing comparable in Portland,” Dahl says. “Entire top floor, 27 stories up and close to 1400 sq. ft of decks…there was nothing close.”
When Dahl subsequently moved to a farm on the Clackamas River, it was his wife who insisted they make their home there.
“She gets what she wants. I’ll always miss that condo,” he said.
The views take center stage, with window walls showcasing the panoramic views in every room. Recently refreshed with luxury vinyl plank floors in a dark African Sunset stain and crisp, freshly painted walls spanning the entire residence, this elegantly modern design highlights the views – gorgeous natural surroundings by day and the lights of the cityscape by night.
The living and dining room take advantage of the spectacular corner view, only interrupted by a sleek gas fireplace. This generously apportioned space can accommodate a comfortable seating area, dining room table, or grand piano, as the current owner has chosen. A built-in console spans the space, adding storage and display space to the minimalist design. Extensive track lighting with picture spots provides a customizable way to highlight art and sculpture on the walls and ledges from the front doors into the living room.
The sleek kitchen features ceiling-height custom cabinetry and brand-new granite countertops. The central island includes a sink and plenty of room for seating at the breakfast bar. The appliances are Wolf, including a six-burner plus griddle range and professional hood. A coffee bar sits at the edge of the room, conveniently close to a cozy sitting area or breakfast nook. A door leads outside to the spectacular patio that spans the length of the building. Hookups for a gas grill and fire pit make this a perfect spot for enjoying meals, relaxing outside, and enjoying the 360-degree view. With plenty of space for a table and seating area, as well as a fire pit and hot tub, this patio is perfect for summer entertaining. Just around the corner from the kitchen are a large pantry/storage room and a window-side nook perfect for a Peloton bike or treadmill.
Situated on a corner, the primary suite shares access to the main patio and a separate secondary patio spanning another side of the building. The bedroom is primarily windows with a beautiful feature mall made of wavy textured wood painted a soft, metallic silver. A simple gas fireplace provides warmth and ambiance to this modern space. Renovation of the luxurious ensuite bath was recently completed and is a gorgeous extension of the primary suite. Featuring marble floors, a huge frameless glass shower with body jets and multiple shower heads, a stunning egg-shaped freestanding tub, and a designer Icera toilet, this bath is an elegant escape, befitting this penthouse and its sweeping views.
Just down the hall are two guest bedrooms that share a Jack and Jill bath with new granite countertops. One of the bedrooms includes access to the patio that extends from the primary suite. Perfectly suited for relaxing and enjoying the view, this secondary patio offers an alternative to the primarily entertaining-focused patio off the kitchen. The light-filled home office is next door, separated from the foyer by French doors.
Built in 2007, Benson Tower was named after the turn-of-the-century timber baron Simon Benson, whose original residence was on this site. The Simon Benson House was moved and preserved on the nearby Portland State University campus, and developers named the building in his honor. The namesake of Portland’s Benson Bubblers and historic Benson Hotel, Benson made his mark on Portland as a businessman and philanthropist. Built by Hancock Brucker, now IBI Group of Vancouver, B.C., the building was designed in the ‘point tower’ style made popular in the city where the company is headquartered. The modern design is intended to diminish shadows and allow more light to the streetscape, promoting a more livable urban context. Consisting of 26 floors, Benson Tower has a secure lobby and underground parking. This unit, accessible only with a key fob and private elevator, includes three deeded parking spaces and a storage unit. The building amenities include private outdoor gardens, a resident lounge/meeting room, a hot tub, and a fitness center.
Located on the corner of SW 11th Avenue and SW Clay Street, Benson Tower is less than a 10-minute walk to the Portland Art Museum and a 10-minute drive to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Considered the city’s cultural district, the building also sits amid many of Portland’s best restaurants and shopping locations. This is a chance to invest in a property with unmatched panoramic views and be a part of the revitalization and return to normalcy in the city of Portland and the new opportunities that will bring.
