If only one architect could be crowned for establishing Portland’s signature housing styles, it would be Emil Schacht, who introduced residents and millions of visitors attending the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition to the Craftsman bungalow and contributed to the “apartment house,” upscale multi-family dwellings that were much needed after the expo-generating population boom.

The city’s epicenter for this new type of compact, posh flat was Northwest Portland’s Nob Hill, now part of the Historic Alphabet District. One of the historic homes, a 748-square-foot condo in the 1909 King Davis building, which Schacht designed on a corner lot at 118 N.W. King Ave. Unit A, is for sale at $275,000.

“Unit A is unique in that it’s one of the largest units in the building,” said Tori Buck, who with Michael Green, also of Stellar Realty Northwest, listed the two-bedroom condo. “Whether you’re looking for a primary residence or a part-time urban retreat, residents have plenty of space indoors when they’re not out and about enjoying everything this unbeatable location has to offer.”

The exterior of the brick building was intentionally designed to blend with nearby mansions. Steps from the sidewalk lead to the grand entrance under a classic peaked cap pediment. The wide wood door opens to the lobby and the original iron-caged elevator with glass doors.

Each of the five floors has three apartments. There is also a unit in the basement level along with bike and personal storage for each household. Many original interior features, including Douglas fir floors, patterned mosaic tile and clawfoot tubs, were preserved and refinished when the 16 living units were converted into condominiums in 2006.

The original kitchens boasted the latest refrigeration and electric appliances called “fireless cookers.” The updated home for sale has high-end appliances including a Wolf range, in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet and additional storage space.

The homeowners association fee for Unit A is $641 a month. Unit 52, a 576-square-foot condo on the top floor of the King Davis building, is for sale at $230,000 and has a homeowners association fee of $493 a month.

Schacht was 20 in 1874 when he immigrated to the United States from Denmark. He worked as a draftsman in New York, then set up an architecture office in Portland in 1884. By 1902, he was a founding member of the Portland Association of Architects.

Over his 42-year career, he, or through Emil Schacht and Son, designed residences as well as warehouses, theaters, offices and public buildings. One of Schacht’s structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the 1909 Admiral Apartments, a Tudor Revival-style building on the South Park Blocks, which began in the 1880s as a Central Park ideal of trophy homes overlooking public spaces.

The King Davis building earned recognition as a secondary contributing resource for its architectural significance within the Historic Alphabet District’s National Register designation.

“The King Davis building is perfect for those who appreciate historic charm, urban convenience and low-maintenance living,” Buck told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “Living in the vibrant Alphabet District is an urbanite’s dream” with nearby eateries and Northwest 23rd Avenue’s shops and close proximity to Washington Park’s hiking trails and the Portland Japanese Garden as well as Providence Park-Portland Timbers stadium and other venues.

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman