Those Places Thursday: 2029 NE Knott, Portland, Oregon - An Ewald Pape Design

Here is another house that was definitely designed by my architect first-cousin-twice-removed, Ewald Theodore Pape (1894-1976), in Portland, Oregon, in 1931.  This one is located at 2029 NE Knott, but unfortunately I don't have many photographs of it (click on each image to view it larger):

An article in the August 23, 1931, Oregonian entitled "$15,000 Residence Planned - George S. Lewis Obtains Permit for House on East Side" states:

A permit has been issued at the city hall for a $15,000 house for George S. Lewis, to be built at East Twenty-first North and Knott streets.  E. T. Pape is the designer, Shand & Reager the builders, and William Schaumann the landscape architect.

The house will be of the Mediterranean type, two stories in height and will contain eight rooms with a ballroom in the basement.  Ground floor dimensions are 52x30.  Oil heat will be used.

Here is the plumbing permit from PortlandMaps, dated August 27, 1931:

Here's a sketch of the house that appeared in the Oregonian on December 13, 1931, when the house was nearly complete:

Ewald had most recently worked with builders Alex Shand and A. S. Reager on the Portland Women's Realty Board Demonstration Home at 2805 SE Knapp. 

George S. Lewis was born Giorgios Liozos in Greece in 1887, and immigrated to Philadelphia in January 1903.  By June 1917, he was in Oregon, working as a cook and chief steward on ships, and began using the name George S. Lewis.  By 1930 he owned at least one restaurant, and eventually acquired more, including one located in the bus depot, and Biff's Seafood Restaurant.  He and his family are listed at this address in the 1943 city directory, but by the 1950 directory, they've moved elsewhere.

The house was listed in a real estate ad in the Oregonian on October 22, 1950, with features such as a "breakfast nook and den, 2 set plmb., 2 fireplaces, oil heat, 2-car garage, mahogany finish, 50x100 lot, sprinkling system."

Here is a description of the 3,246 square foot house from a recent real estate listing (there are some interior photos available at the link as well):

"This beautiful Spanish Colonial home designed by E.T. Pape is a custom building that has been meticulously maintained and upgraded over the years, with very few owners. Perfection throughout and features such as Spanish stucco exterior, wrought iron railings, two fireplaces, plenty of hardwoods and designer paint treatments. There is a private enclosed courtyard that feels like you are sitting in a Barcelona villa.

From the entryway you are taken to a large living room with a fireplace and plenty of south facing windows. Also on the main level is a fabulous office with space for a desk that has a great view of the neighborhood, a full 1930s bathroom, large beautiful dining room and an absolutely perfect new kitchen. The design of the kitchen was careful to stem directly from the beautiful built-ins in the adjoining breakfast nook. Everything from the tile, cabinets, surfaces and appliances conveys a perfect mix of modern amenities along with 1930s charm. The breakfast nook looks out directly onto the private courtyard. The grand staircase leads to a large landing and the three bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. All rooms have plenty of light and privacy. A real bonus is the fully finished basement, including a very nice office, great storage, laundry room and a large media/family room with windows, built-ins, theater area and a fireplace. There is a garage off of 21st onto the property."

The garage is visible below, in this view of the house from the NE 21st Avenue side.  Apparently the ballroom in the basement is gone.

This house is considered a contributing resource to the Irvington Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places.

© Amanda Pape - 2019 - e-mail me!