This Fall, Trinity Construction & Design completed work on a five-unit townhouse development at 716 NE 91st Avenue. Each home offers three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one main-floor powder room. The property owners have these nearly 1,100-square-foot two-story homes listed as condos on individual lots. However, an additional listing offers all five homes as a single purchase for a buyer looking for a unique rental complex.
In March, J&I Properties, a Limited Liability Company, took ownership of the property from the project’s developer, Provision Investments. Ivan Didyk’s company, Trinity Construction & Design, began building the townhouses based on the pre-approved plans that Provision had sold to Didyk. “[Provision] buys the land, they do the planning, and they get you up through permits. Then I bought the project from them, permit ready,” explained Didyk. His company recently worked with Provision in a similar deal on NE Hoyt Street. Didyk built two apartment buildings east of these new townhouses last year and retained ownership of one at 9050 NE Hoyt Street.
Ivan Didyk has worked in the construction industry for 13 years, starting Trinity Construction & Design three years ago during the pandemic. He explained that he brings his own experience as a parent into his projects, creating a space suitable for adult tastes but room for multi-member families. “Whatever I build, I would be happy to live in,” said Didyk. Crews finished the homes with high-quality features that respect the durability requirements of young children and pets. Crews installed luxury vinyl planks throughout the house, providing the look of hardwood but with the strength to resist dents and scratches. The second level full-sized stacked laundry closet also reflects the family-oriented design consideration. Didyk explained that some other builders only build space for smaller two-foot-wide washing units. “We build for full size because if you have a family with kids, you do a lot of laundry. The little tiny two-foot washers and dryers are brutal for families.”
Didyk clarified that family-designed housing does not equate to bland or cheap finishes. He installed full-height tile backsplash in the kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom-fitted cabinetry. An island with eating bar seating provides separation from the entryway and kitchen with needed counter real estate and an activated spot at the front of the house. Wider trim throughout the homes, coupled with tall ceilings, set a scale for the interior that expands its perceived space. Modern steel railings provide stable support and keep the stairway visually open across the levels. Bathrooms feature custom vanities, while a ducted mini-split system offers heating and cooling that’s hidden away from sight. The floor plans for these homes utilize creative space-saving techniques to make the most of limited space.
Based on his previous successes building in the area, Didyk decided to step up his finishes to meet the future prosperity he sees coming to the community. “I put my heart and soul into this one. I made it nicer than I normally do, just to stand out,” remarked Didyk. “I think in 20 years, the Montavilla neighborhood is going to be one of the best neighborhoods in Portland.”
The significant change in elevation across the property called for several design choices that add character to the homes. “Sloped lots require a little more in engineering and design. It’s more expensive to build because you either have to dig into the ground or build above ground,” explained Didyk. He said that sellers often factor engineering costs into the purchase price of sloped lots. Additionally, Didyk enjoys the creative architecture that comes from building with the unique grading of a lot. For instance, in this project, building up from the low point on the northwest corner of the property allowed the front three units to gain roughed-in storage space below the homes. The back patio would often consist of a concrete pad in a small fenced enclosure with other townhomes, but each unit in the NE 91st Avenue townhouses has protruding decks. The front retaining walls create a tiered separation from the street without needing a fence, and the tall foundation provides the homes with a clear northward view over the neighbor’s roof.
Other design elements were unrelated to the topography. These homes have similar floor plans, but they vary in width. This gives some units a few more feet of floor area and alternates the shape of the building, making an obvious separation between each unit. The front and back units have more windows and the froward most home has a covered porch. The rear unit has a small private yard with a bonus concrete pad for an outdoor grill or bike storage.
As with many new housing projects, future residents will want to rely on street parking or transit options. Didyk explained that home buyers looking in this area are not overly car-dependent. “A lot of people in Portland use public transportation, and I think Portland probably has one of the best public transportation systems on the West Coast. People in this neighborhood will like the public transportation options with the MAX line so close. There is [also] quite a bit of street parking. I’ve never had issues parking on this street,” said Didyk. A single bike rack at the front of the building will let visitors secure their bikes, and Trinity Construction & Design will provide interior storage options if requested. “We have bike racks, so if somebody buys a unit and they want [an indoor] bike rack installed, we’ll do it for free,” explained Didyk.
Ivan Didyk is pleased with how these townhomes turned out and looks forward to seeing people’s lives enhanced by moving in. “I’m a big believer in making Portland a better place, a lot of people are complaining that Portland is getting worse. Instead of complaining, my goal is to find neighborhoods that are up and coming, investing my money and my time into them as a place for families. A place for people to live and raise their kids,” said Didyk. That is one main reason he wanted to create three-bedroom units. Admittedly, the rooms are smaller to fit the footprint available. However, he felt it is critical that people with children can find quality homes that are still affordable at the median income range. The units are available now. Buyers will pay a small sub $100 HOA fee in addition to their mortgage. People interested in seeing the homes can contact Darryl Bodle of Keller Williams Realty at 503-709-4632.
Correction: Updated the address to the preferred address of 716 NE 91st Avenue from 760 NE 91st Avenue.
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