1004 NE 70th – Montavilla News

On July 31st, the City of Portland approved a Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) application at 1004 NE 70th Avenue, creating four new lots. Rees Bettinger Properties recently constructed three single-family homes behind the 1950-era single-story house at this address. Each new two-story structure offers an open-concept main level with two bedrooms and a stacked laundry closet on the second floor. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The architect placed a half-bathroom under the staircase on the first floor that extends out beyond the eastern wall of the center two units, adding another three feet to those washrooms.

Site plan of the new housing development at 1004 NE 70th Avenue in Portland, showing the layout of four new lots along NE 70th Avenue. — *_{Exhibit C from Decision Notice for LU 25-036927 MLDS showing new lot configuration}*

The new homes, nearing completion, will offer residents just under 1,000 square feet of living space in almost identical floor plans. People can enter the new detached houses from a shared pathway along the property’s southern edge, and sliding glass doors at the north of the new structures lead to a back patio space. The “U” shaped kitchens feature a breakfast bar facing the center of the home and a dining area off to its side. The MHLD created four lots with an easement for utility lines and the walkway. Power for all homes comes in off the overhead lines to the front house, where electricians placed the power meters. The new structures have their utilities run underground. Demolition crews remove a semi-attached garage on the home’s southeast corner to allow adequate access to the back units.

Architectural rendering of two modern two-story homes with white exteriors, featuring large windows and distinctive gable roofs. — *_{Left rendering show 1000 NE 70th Ave and 996 NE 70th Ave design. Right is 992 NE 70th Ave. Renderings courtesy of Rees Bettinger Properties}*

The developer, Rees Bettinger, created a cottage cluster arranged development on NE Holladay Street that wrapped up construction in 2024, and has another recently completed project underway that added four townhouses on the same street. He often works to preserve and improve existing homes while adding more residential inventory to the area. This approach to housing infill has the added benefit of retaining material investments in a structure and maintaining some of the existing streetscape’s age and scale. However, the NE 70th Avenue property is between several new homes built in the last two decades, so matching the adjacent structures is less of a concern.

Exterior view of a 1950-era single-story house in Portland, Oregon, with a mint green facade and a purple door, next to newly constructed two-story homes. The image shows a gravel pathway and surrounding landscaping.

The homes at this property should go on sale sometime this year after crews complete the interior work and painters cover the primed siding.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Later this year, Rees Bettinger Properties will construct three single-family homes behind the 1950-era single-story house at 1004 NE 70th Avenue. Each new two-story structure will offer an open-concept main level with two bedrooms and a stacked laundry closet on the second floor. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The architect placed a half-bathroom under the staircase on the first floor that extends out beyond the eastern wall of the center two units, adding another three feet to those washrooms.

*_{Site plan courtesy of Rees Bettinger Properties}*

The new homes will offer residents just under 1,000 square feet of living space in nearly identical floor plans. People can enter the new detached houses from a shared pathway along the property’s southern edge, and sliding glass doors at the north of the structures lead to a back patio space. The “U” shaped kitchens feature a breakfast bar facing the center of the home and a dining area off to its side. The developer will use a Middle Housing Land Division to split the property into four lots with an easement for utility lines and the walkway. Demolition crews will remove the semi-attached garage on the home’s southeast corner to allow people adequate access to the back units.

*_{Image of 1004 NE 70th Avenue from Google Maps}*

The developer, Rees Bettinger, has undertaken other projects like this one in Montavilla over the last few years. He created a cottage cluster arranged development on NE Holladay Street that wrapped up construction in 2024 and has another project underway, creating four townhouses on the same street. He often works to preserve and improve existing homes while adding more residential inventory to areas. This approach to housing infill has the added benefit of retaining material investments in a structure and maintaining some of the existing streetscape’s age and scale. However, the NE 70th Avenue property is between several new homes built in the last two decades, so matching the adjacent structures is less of a concern. Bettinger anticipates construction beginning in March or April this year, depending on building permit approval timelines.