A remarkable piece of Pacific Northwest architectural history has entered the real estate market for the first time ever. The personal residence of Saul Zaik, one of Oregon's most celebrated architects, is now available for $1.599 million after nearly six decades of family ownership. Located at 720 NW Saint Helens Avenue in Portland, this extraordinary midcentury modern home showcases the innovative design principles that made Zaik a legendary figure in regional architecture.
Built in 1961, the 2,009-square-foot residence sits dramatically on a steep, forested hillside just minutes from downtown Portland. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is nestled within a few hundred yards of Forest Park, the nation's largest urban wilderness, surrounded by mature Douglas firs and maples on a 0.56-acre lot. The structure's unique design evokes a sophisticated tree house, with its innovative approach to integrating architecture with the natural landscape.
Zaik's masterful design divides the home into two distinct pavilions connected by a series of cantilevered decks and a dramatic glass-walled entry pavilion. The public wing features a soaring vaulted Douglas fir ceiling and cantilevers boldly over the hillside, offering expansive views through an impressive wall of glass. This architectural approach creates the sensation of living among the treetops while maintaining the comfort and functionality of a modern home.
The residence demonstrates Zaik's exceptional ability to work with challenging topography. The structure winds gracefully around the forest, standing just inches away from maples and Douglas firs at various points throughout the property. This intimate relationship with nature creates a unique living experience where the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces become beautifully blurred. Each of the lower-level bedrooms looks directly out into the surrounding forest, providing residents with constant connection to the natural environment.
Surrounding both wings of the home are multiple decks that provide a variety of outdoor living spaces, each offering different perspectives of the forest setting. A small hillside garden sits strategically off the bedroom wing, adding to the property's seamless integration with its natural surroundings. These outdoor spaces serve as extensions of the interior living areas, embodying the midcentury modern philosophy of indoor-outdoor living.
The property represents a significant piece of Oregon's architectural heritage. Zaik Associates, the Portland-based firm, has earned over 30 national and local design awards throughout its distinguished career, including recognition from the Portland Chapter AIA, Northwest Region AIA, AIA/House and Home Awards, and Sunset magazine awards. The firm's portfolio spans from large individual residences to major commercial projects, but this personal residence stands as perhaps the most intimate example of Zaik's design philosophy.
The home's location offers the rare combination of urban convenience and natural tranquility. Situated in a peaceful forested setting, the property provides easy access to Portland's downtown core while feeling completely removed from city life. This balance between accessibility and seclusion makes the property particularly appealing to those seeking a unique living experience in the Pacific Northwest.
For architecture enthusiasts and design collectors, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of midcentury modern history. The fact that this is the home's first time on the market adds to its significance, as it has remained in the architect's family since construction. The wood-ensconced residence stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of thoughtful, site-specific design that respects and enhances its natural setting.
