Apartments need to have more than a roof and an address to get attention in design-discerning Portland. Residents also want places to park a bike, walk to restaurants and easy living in a green environment.

Would a community keg in the lobby, penthouse sky lounge and roof deck with eastside and downtown skyline views add to the allure?

See for yourself at Burnside 26, designed by SERA Architects and built by Capstone Partners.

The 135 apartments, in the middle of Northeast Portland's Kerns neighborhood, will be part of the Fourth Annual Portland Modern Home Tour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. Ticket holders ($30 in advance, $40 at the door) will meet local architects inside their executed designs.

Why pay to tour an apartment? Well, it's only one part of the tour and you won't be trailed by a manager hoping you will sign a lease.

It is an interesting building.

"One of the members of the ownership team lives in Zurich, Switzerland, and we all agreed a 'Modern Swiss' architectural style would be an exciting complement to this eclectic neighborhood," says Stacy Blanton of Capstone Partners.

Clean, modern finishes were selected by SERA designers Courtney Laird and Kristie Morrison. Interior designers Rachel Sowieja of Vida Design and Brienne Wasmer of 2Yoke Wellness Design chose the furniture, lighting fixtures and art for the model unit and common areas.

Window placement and floor plans maximize the sense of space. The apartments -- studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units -- range from 446 square feet to 981 square feet.

The response from potential renters since opening in August?

Manager Bekah Caetano says, "Always positive and usually includes 'ooh's' and 'wow's or 'very nice!' A lot of people ask if we are condos."

Exterior and interior natural wood siding reflects the Pacific Northwest and helps the new building better blend into the neighbor.

Caetano continues: "It feels like it has always been a part of the fabric of East Burnside yet sets itself apart by setting the bar in every area...and it's up there."



-- Janet Eastman



jeastman@oregonian.com

503-799-8739

@janeteastman



