The Tudor-style estate looks like it could be in the English countryside, but it's 15 minutes from ... [+]
Just as some people amass high-performance sports cars or fine jewelry, a segment of the wealthy collect homes in the hubs where they spend time.
It’s not all about extravagance. There are practical considerations. A home is a relatively safe place to park money while reaping the enjoyment of ownership and having a familiar place to stay when in town.
But in ultrahigh-net-worth circles, not just any mansion will do. This is the world of trophy estates.
“Selling a property of this caliber is akin to curating a masterpiece in an expansive art gallery,” says Terry Sprague, owner of LUXE | Forbes Global Properties in Portland and Lake Oswego, Oregon. Buyers in this sphere, he says, are “a discerning audience … who appreciate intricate craftsmanship, timeless design and unparalleled luxury.”
The 40 acres of grounds are mostly wooded.
Sprague has the distinction of having the most expensive listing currently on the market in Portland, a gated megamansion of more than 16,000 square feet priced at $15 million.
Set on 40 acres of grounds a mere 15 minutes from downtown, the custom-designed estate is a standout example of attention to detail, workmanship and materials. “Its strongest selling points include its seamless fusion of luxury amenities, breathtaking views and unmatched privacy,” he says, “setting it apart in the market.”
The brick home features multiple gables of varying heights.
The English Tudor-style estate overlooks the Tualatin Valley with views all the way to the Oregon Coast Range. In keeping with the style, the home has a brick facade with multiple overlapping gables of varying heights. The steep pitch of the roof adds to a storybook appearance to the English manor.
Bargeboards decorated with oak leaves highlight the gable that rises above the grand entrance. The entry is topped by an archway of contrasting stone where a coat of arms depicting a shield is surrounded by oak leaves, lending the property its name: English Oaks Estate.
Extensive woodwork and scrolled stair railings contribute the Old World feel of the foyer.
Completed in 1997, the home was designed by Soderstrom Architects and based on inspiration gained from the far-flung travels of the owners. Handcrafted millwork, Ipe hardwood floors and antique light fixtures sourced from around the world are among the details in the polished interiors.
Arched clerestory windows bring light into the foyer where a staircase rises in a turret featuring leaded glass diamond windows.
Wood paneled walls and ceilings add to the elegance of the main living areas.
The main floor is designed for entertaining with a club-like formal living room. The formal dining room opens to a covered terrace lined with limestone balustrades.
The paneled home office includes a fireplace and a built-in bar area with a hand-hammered copper sink. A study with a built-in desk, library shelves and space for office storage is nearby.
French doors in the formal dining room open to outdoor eating and lounging space.
The center island kitchen and butler’s pantry/prep kitchen are equipped for both home cooking and lavish parties with such appliances as a Liebherr wine fridge, two dishwashers, Viking oven and six-burner Wolf range.
The adjacent family room features a wood-burning fireplace. French doors lead to the terrace.
The home elevator maintains the rich style of the main level.
The second level of the house contains a two-bedroom, two-bathroom primary suite accessed by an elevator that serves all four floors. Three walk-in closets, a corner office, fireplace, dressing area and Juliet balcony complete the suite.
Other living spaces on this level include a sunroom, library, guest apartment and three additional en suite bedrooms. The top floor contains finished storage space.
The lower floor wine cellar has an abundance of storage space.
The lower level has a bonus/game room with a bar, home theater, temperature-controlled wine cellar and a guest suite with covered patio access.
Set amid the landscaped grounds are a swimming pool, spa and patio that overlook a koi pond and waterfall feature.
Tile lines the swimming pool and separate spa.
A changing room with a full bathroom and refrigerator connects to a mudroom and the attached oversized three-car garage.
The horseshoe-shaped rose garden was inspired by Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny. There are over a mile of gravel walking paths throughout the wooded site.
The grounds include a koi pond reached by a walking path.
A separate three-car garage off the motor court contains a home gym, powder room and storage. There are a total of seven bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and two half-baths throughout the estate.
The pool of potential buyers for 11223 Northwest Saltzman Road is wider than one might expect for the price point.
“We’re seeing interest from a diverse range of individuals,” Sprague says, “including industry executives, sports figures, local affluent families and investors, both domestic and international.”
Sculpted shrubs surround four rose beds in a formal portion of the garden.
