Viewers of vintage MTV "Cribs" will remember retired NBA All-Star and former Trail Blazer power forward and center Rasheed Wallace showing off his historic mansion in Southwest Portland's Dunthorpe neighborhood.

The 6-foot-11-inch athlete ducked his head to clear doorways during the tour. Wearing gym shorts and tennis shoes, he praised the benefits of the master bathroom's heated floor and climbed into the giant Jacuzzi tub to show that even he could fit. "My knees don't have to be out of the water," he demonstrated.

An elevated urinal was also installed in the master bathroom and the bedroom had a TV wall mount that could rise for Wallace's viewing comfort.

Cameras followed him downstairs to the finished basement, which extends the full length of the 8,500-square-foot mansion. Past a large stone hearth was a faux movie theater lobby that led to the home theater with a 120-inch screen. Nearby was an arcade space, stainless steel bar and a scrolling sports ticker reporting the latest scores.

Wallace owned the property since 1999, and earlier this year, he updated it for sale. Days before it officially hit the market, it sold for $3,125,000, according to listing agents Mimi McCaslin and Anne-Marie Knapp of Luxe Platinum Properties.

But let's start at the beginning. Basketball was already a widely popular game when this historic house was built in 1924 for industrialist Stanley C.E. Smith, who owned Smith and Valley Iron Works Co., which made logging machinery.

The land was first cleared to provide trees to fuel the iron works.

Designed by architect Ellis Lawrence, the Tudor Revival has touches of Arts & Crafts and Spanish Renaissance plus Mediterranean arches and wrought iron. "Romantic" and "eclectic" are used to describe the mix of styles.

The Tudor facade has brick and half timbering walls rising to a steep roof. A brick door arch draws eyes up to the towering brick chimney.

Inside, the mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has high beam ceilings, five fireplaces and original woodwork, from walnut paneling to intricate molding. The original front oak door has iron work framing a stained glass window that depicts a spider web. The floors are Garry oak.

The long, rectangular house is fronted by a circular driveway. Brick terraces extend the outdoor living space. Entertainment amenities across the property's two acres include a pool, sports court, guest house, Koi pond, waterfall and lawn. Five cars can park in the garage.

There is a walled rose garden. In the MTV show, Wallace said it was easy to bring roses to his wife.

-- Janet Eastman



jeastman@oregonian.com

503-799-8739

@janeteastman



