Irvington, Sabin, and the Lloyd District
The Irvington neighborhood is located in the inner northeast section of Portland. The community takes it name from Captain William Irving, a sea captain who made his fortune transporting lumber between Portland and California. Former President Jimmy Carter visited Portland in 1978 and chose to spend the night in a restored home in Irvington.
Over half of the houses built in Irvington were constructed between 1920 and 1939. Homes along these quiet, tree-lined streets cost an average of nearly $600,000. Larger, restored properties easily command over $1 million. Home prices have increased over 40% over the past 5 years, similar to the surrounding neighborhoods of Beaumont Wilshire, Alameda, and Hollywood. The home types found in Irvington include bungalows, foursquares, English-styles, mansions and colonial revival. Many of the homes have been renovated and remodeled. Fixer uppers are rare and tend to be located along the blocks surrounding Irving Park . A few apartment buildings are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Over 60% of homes are owner-occupied. Typical neighborhood denizens include families and empty nesters.
On the third Sunday in May, the Irvington Community Association showcases historical neighborhood homes to raise money for charity or neighborhood projects. Neighbors graciously open their private residences so history buffs can get a peak inside these gems.
Schools around Irvington are generally rated well. Alameda Elementary and Hollyrood-Fernwood K-8 are rated as exceptional. Irvington Elementary, Beaumont Middle School, and Grant High School are rated as strong. The Madeleine Church, a Catholic parish, operates a well-regarded K-8 school in the middle of the Irvington neighborhood.
Most of the houses located in Irvington are within a reasonable walk from one of several commercial stretches. At the intersection of NE Broadway and NE 15th, there is a small and busy shopping center that includes Starbucks, Whole Foods, Hollywood Video, and a few boutiques. Multnomah County Library’s smallest branch ( Albina ) is tucked around the corner from Whole Foods. Acadia , a New Orleans/Creole restaurant, serves up critically acclaimed, huge portions of Southern fare.
Just down the road, at NE Fremont and NE 24th, Lucca prepares Italian delights including wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta. Perry’s on Fremont , located across the street, is a well kept neighborhood secret. The eclectic menu and to-die-for desserts have kept them in business since 1983. Garden lovers stop by neighborhood nursery, Garden Fever , for advice on sustainable gardening practices and supplies.
Along NE Broadway, a larger artery connecting residents to downtown and the Rose Quarter, there are many shops, restaurants, and services. The wine bars, coffeehouses, and restaurants draw fans from all over northeast Portland. Milo’s City Café is a well-respected secret amongst locals. Several Northwest restaurant groups including McMenamins , and Pastini Pastaria.
Irvington is a short drive from downtown Portland and is serviced by a wealth of public transportation options. The homes are a short drive from the Rose Quarter and Lloyd Center. There is little traffic through the neighborhoods. The busiest streets tend to be NE Fremont, NE Broadway, NE Knott, NE 15th, and NE 24th.
The nearby Sabin neighborhood attracts families with its similar amenities and less expensive price tag (as compared to Irvington). Sabin lies north of Irving Park and is bordered by NE Fremont and MLK Jr. Blvd. Sabin Elementary is rated as exceptional and children who live here attend the same middle and high schools as Irvington residents. Nearly 80% of people own their homes. Although the closest park is Irving Park , Sabin boasts a loved and frequented community garden at NE 19th and Skidmore. Residents of the northern part of the neighborhood have easy access to the Albert Arts District and the Concordia neighborhood’s New Seasons market.
Both Irvington and Sabin are a short distance from the Lloyd District and Lloyd Center mall, the oldest shopping mall in the area. Lloyd Center has two movie theaters showing the latest releases. The mall is still heavily trafficked and popular despite its age. There are apartments and condos available around Lloyd Center, but few homes for sale.
Just down the street from Lloyd Center, small office buildings and motels surround the Oregon Convention Center . The Portland Trailblazers play at the nearby Rose Quarter .
Sullivan’s Gulch is small neighborhood located between NE Broadway and Interstate 84. Sullivan was an Irish farmer and early Portland resident who settled in the area around 1851. Older single-family homes and numerous apartment buildings comprise the landscape here. The median home price hovers just below $300,000. Fixer uppers are still available and home values have remained reasonable despite rising nearly 60% over the last five years. Residents prize the ability to access public transportation and to walk to the shops, restaurants, and services along NE Broadway. About 30% of neighborhood residents own their homes. Buckman Elementary, Hosford International Middle School, and Cleveland High School are rated as strong by the Oregon Department of Education.
Public transportation within the inner Northeast areas of Portland is excellent. The Eastside MAX line runs through the Lloyd District and connects to the Interstate MAX line at the Rose Quarter. Frequent bus service runs along NE Broadway, NE 15th St, and NE 24th St. It’s a quick 10-15 minute drive to downtown via Interstate 84 or the Broadway Bridge. And it’s about a 20 minute drive to the Portland International Airport.
