Tomorrow marks the closing ceremonies for the 2012 Portland Street of Dreams in at the Vineyard in West Linn.  This has to be my “better late than never” post on the subject as I misplaced my notes from my visit a few weeks ago.  Overall, the show is making a progressive return to to dreamy.  In 2009 the flagging real estate market “forced” organizers to move the show into the Pearl District to highlight already constructed penthouse condos.  It was bold and smart move in an era where constructing a new subdivison didn’t make any sense.  In 2010, the show moved to NW Cresap Lane and the houses were nice but didn’t stand out.  The 2011 Bull Mountain homes didn’t crack the $1M.  This year’s show features multiple homes over $1M.

One commenter on a previous post pointed out that the street, Coeur D Alene Dr., is very steep, making accessibility an issue.  A couple of homes had elevators but what good do the do if you are essentially trapped within the confines of your driveway?  I can’t remember any Street of Dreams house being built as truly accessible but this show was clearly a struggle for those who have a harder time walking.

The $1250,000 bronze bath tub purchased originally by Brad Pitt was staged in one of the properties but not included in the sale.  Where will it go now?

For me, no one home stuck out as a clear winner.  While some of the outdoor kitchens might be a little over the top (dreamy) I love to see how the homes incorporate the outside with traditionally inside features; especially in our NW environment.

Under the “why did the do that?” heading I think I would have to give the award to the in-law “bedroom” next family living space with no separation.

The 2013 Portland Street of Dreams will be at Stonehenge, a development created by Measure 37 laws in the Stafford area near West Linn.  The Portland Tribune has an interesting story about it.