7850 SE Stark Street is listed for sale by its owner, who operates Electronic Claims Services from this location. Property listings for Stark Street storefronts are uncommon, particularly in buildings centrally located in Montavilla Town.
Constructed in 1946, it was home to bicycle stores for much of its early life. First as Lawrence H. Hook’s Hook Cycle Shop, and later as Mt. Tabor Schwinn Cyclery. This trend lasted until the mid-1980s. In 1998 the current owners bought the building for their business.
This building is one of the old holdouts from a darker time on SE Stark Street. In the 1990s, many storefronts in the area converted to office space, and very few buildings were inviting to pedestrians. With 20 years of curtains drawn and staff entered from the parking lot in the back of the building, it has looked more like a wall than a storefront. Electronic Claims Services is a good neighbor and a Montavilla East Tabor Business Association member. However, their business is exclusively online, and this space is more effective as a retail or food-related establishment.
The sale of this building is an excellent opportunity to activate the front of the building with large windows and a public-oriented business. It is between the theater building and Thatcher’s Lounge. SE 79th Ave ends right at its door, making it one of the most visible structures on the block. Commercial real-estate moves slowly, but soon enough, something interesting should arrive at this location.
Interested buyers should contact Nathan Drake with Marcus & Millichap.
Wix Insurance is moving off of SE Stark and into their own building at 7300 NE Glisan Street. The once red brick building on the corner of NE 73rd and Glisan, now features a fresh coat of paint. Inside only cosmetic updates are being worked on.
Already a Montavilla business, Wix Insurance Agency plans to vacate their current Montavilla location at 8037 SE Stark Street. Gabe Kieselhorst, an owner of Wix Insurance, said they hope to have the new location open by the end of June. That timeline is not firm, due to the unknown reopening date for businesses in Oregon. With their lease expiring in August for the Stark Street location, they had to find a new office space. Kieselhorst said that they were excited to find this building for sale, just at the right time.
Kieselhorst lives within walking distance of the building on Glisan. They were looking for an ADA compliant building with parking. This building met all the requirements he could think of.
Kieselhorst bought the building on Glisan Street using the newly formed company, Wix Building Portland LLC. Ronald Laughlin Jr. originally owned the building and used it for his law practice until 2011. That year he started the installment sale of the building, often called a real estate contract sale. The buyer of the building has shifted over time. Recently the buyer was 1st Choice Tax Service, Inc.
7300 NE Glisan Street before painting
Because Wix Insurance does most of its business by appointment, there will not be much opportunity for the public to visit the new office. However they are putting considerable effort into upgrading the exterior appearance of the building. Kieselhorst said they are just happy to stay in the neighborhood and continue to be part of this community.
Updated – this article was updated with confirmation from the owners about the move. The Original article is below.
Wix Insurance may be moving off of SE Stark and onto NE Glisan. There is good indication that Wix has entered into an agreement to buy the building at 7300 NE Glisan Street.
Ronald Laughlin Jr. owns the building on NE Glisan and used it for his law practice until 2011. That year he started the installment sale of the building, often called a real estate contract sale. The buyer of the building has shifted over time. Recently the buyer was 1st Choice Tax Service, Inc. When called for comment, Laughlin said he had sold the building and the new owner was Wix Insurance.
A Multnomah County property records search shows an amendment for the property, stating the new buyer is Wix Building Portland LLC.
7300 NE Glisan Street back of building with new paint
The distinct, all brick building, is placed tight on the corner of NE 73rd and Glisan. It now features a fresh coat of paint, covering its once natural red color.
What is not know is, if Wix Insurance Agency is going to vacate its current location at 8037 SE Stark Street. It is possible, 7300 NE Glisan Street will become a second Montavilla location or act as an investment property for the company. When reached for comment, by email and phone, Wix Insurance Agency didn’t reply.
The two duplexes on the corner of NE 80th and Holladay Street are now listed for sale. They are staged and photographed. The landscaping has been meticulously displayed for maximum curb appeal. They are ready to sell and the question is are people ready to buy.
986 NE 80th Ave is a 3 Beds 2 Baths, 1,166 square foot, two level home. It lists for $409,000.
990 NE 80th Ave is also a 3 Beds 2 Baths, 1,166 square foot, two level home. It lists for $399,000.
8012 NE Holladay Street is a 3 Beds 3 Baths home. It has three levels and a one car garage. At 1,469 square feet, it lists for $474,900.
8016 NE Holladay Street similarly offers 3 Beds 3 Baths and is a 1,469 square foot home. It has three levels and a one car garage, listing for $484,900.
These properties represent the most recent new home construction being listed in Montavilla. How well they sell should be an indication of how stable the housing market will be, coming out of our current economic situation. They seem to be priced right where they would have been in 2019, for this type of housing.
This is a sound approach to real estate at the moment. Portland is different than other parts of the country and there is nothing but speculation as to the outcome of our paused economy. Regardless, these are unique building in the neighborhood and will provide a nice home to their future owners.
Associated Petroleum Products (APP) has moved out of their fueling facility at 9270 NE Glisan Street. The property is listed for sale or lease by Keller Williams Realty’s KW Commercial. The large lot is listed for a price of $1,295,000. Despite its diminutive appearance from NE Glisan, it is a long property equivalent to six residential lots.
For sale is a 35,000 SF lot with 31,736 SF of highly sought after partially paved and gravel yard. The property is fully enclosed by cyclone fencing, includes two buildings and environmental completion. The front building (2,400 SF) has three total grade doors, a reception area, three offices, a break room, a restroom, and a 600 SF loft. The back warehouse building (864 SF) has one grade door, a cement floor, and three phase electrical. The front 10,000 SF of the property is zoned mixed use commercial. The back 25,000 SF is zoned residential development, or grandfathered in as a truck yard. – KW Commercial’s listing description –
Although this location is well suited to a similar commercial application, its location would be ideal for a mixed use development. This lot would be a challenge to split into separate properties, as it is missing an access road. NE 93rd Ave does not extend across Glisan. This only leaves the option of maintaining a private access to the other lots. If residential development is destin for this location, a subdivision or apartment complex would be a good solution. Additionally the fronting along NE Glisan would allow for the potential to include retail in the development.
Finished almost two years ago, the Flex at 2110 SE 82nd Ave still has not secured a tenant. An architecturally recognized building, it has many attributes that make it highly desirable. The building has wide open spaces with natural light, and quality finishes throughout. The landscaping is immaculately maintained, the parking lot does not have a single oil drop. No one would guess it has been available for 20 months.
A year ago the Business Tribune wrote a glowing review of the architectural successes of the Flex building. The article rightly calls out the rich textures of the timber framing, and the industrial influences that are are throughout the buildings. None more notable than its metal roll-down doors and loading dock style alignment. Such a glowing review should have called all the right attention to the property.
Unlike some similarly constructed properties, transportation is not a dissuading factor. It has ample parking accessible from both SE 82nd Ave and SE 83rd Ave. It has a protected bike room and the bathrooms have showers. There is access to mass transit surrounds the building. The Flex on 82nd checks many of the boxes for a desirable office or storefront space. These positive attributes have not been ignored. Prospective tenants included a restaurant, event space rental, dance studio, cross fitness gym, and rock climbing space. All, up to recently, have not materialized into a lease.
The listing agent, Robbie MacNichol with Debbie Thomas Real Estate, provided some insight into why this building has taken time to find a tenant. Speaking over the phone, MacNichol explained how the lengthy process of leasing the property was anticipated by the owner. The owner of the property is accustomed to being at the forefront of a changing area. He knows change takes time, particularly when you are early to the process.
The other projects, by the buildings owner, are are mostly in California but his desire is to make sure the property remains Portland in its implementation. Some motivated renters were turned away because they did not fit what he imagined for the building. Originally the building was intended to be cut into many separate spaces, for a variety of tenants. Similar to how other retail spaces are configured in the area. However, after learning from the first year of showing the property, one or two large tenants seems like a better fit.
The rental flyer positions the building similarly to other properties in its price range but not perhaps in this location. However MacNichol admints, this would be a unique building to represent regardless of what part of town it was in. It is a shiny, different type of building than what is on SE 82nd Ave. Some people have disliked how different it is but others see it as the change that is needed for the area. Debbie Thomas Real Estate was an early Pearl District realtor, so the hope is those skills will translate into success with 82nd’s transformation.
If we expect 82nd Ave to evolve, places like the Flex need to succeed. Not because everything needs to look like a version of the Pearl District to be successful but because 82nd needs variety. Buildings and businesses have to attract the full range of visitors. People need to walk, live, and work in this place for it to become something more than a roadside attractions off the highway.
Change is taking hold on SE 82nd Ave. There is the new Pacific Plaza a few doors down at the corner and more on the way. MacNichol says the Flex is in final negotiations with a tenant. They are set to occupy the whole building. This change is early and needs time but we are seeing movement now. It is exciting times for this part of Montavilla.
The somewhat secret Taylor Court Grocery has existed just blocks away of Montavilla town for nearly 100 years. Located at 1135 SE 80th Ave, this neighbourhood grocery prevailed while almost all others have closed down. Owners Errol and Mel have operated the store since 1996. They are just the most recent operators of the grocery that first opened its doors in 1921. Four months ago the store, and adjoining house, were listed for sale. The combined business and house are listed at $950,000. As of yet, the property has not sold.
Many people have chronicled the history and community contribution of this special store. There is a great public interest in who will buy this property. Finding a buyer who is interested in running the Taylor Court Grocery will be difficult. It is not often that a store can last 100 years in the same location, even more rare for that store to be a low margin business like a grocery. On top of all of that it is not on a main street and best serves pedestrians. It is just as likely to be sold to someone interested in developing the lot for other purposes.
I think everyone hopes that the new owners will see how special the store is and keep it in operation. One way or another, Errol and Mel have done a great job keeping the store going and deserve to pass it along and start their next chapter in life. We will keep an eye on this property, and should the Taylor Court Grocery close it doors, I hope the new owners will let the community save the sign and preserve this part of Montavilla history.
NOTE: Several readers requested that this story be covered. If you have any ideas or information, please email info@montavilla.net.
The former Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) location, off NE Glisan, has been bought by Metro. 432 NE 74th Ave was owned by TBN for decades and remained closed to the public for most of that time. They operated the location as a broadcasting facility and, outside a few cars in the parking lot, did not have much activity at this site. However the building looks to have sold to Metro according to Portland Maps. This is a massive property, right off NE Glisan between 74th and 75th Ave. It is just over half the block.
At the moment, it is unclear what Metro has planned for this newly acquired property. It is likely they will hold onto the site for a future development opportunity. The wait should not be too long as a recent Metro Request for Proposals, 3727 On Call Property Management Services, lists “Former TBN Site 432 NE 74th Ave Portland Commercial 1.65 (acres) 19,000 (SF) Available for short term lease.” This would indicate that they will want to do something with the property in the next few years, or at least keep that option open.
Updated information about this project can be found here.
Neighborhood news site focused on buildings and changing businesses
