A couple who spent a jaw-dropping $20 million—and four years—renovating their Portland, OR, mansion to turn it into a “party palace” have now listed the incredible property for $25 million.
The high-flying price makes it Portland’s most expensive home listing.
Software executive Stephen Marsh and his wife, Mary, purchased the staggering estate in 2017 for a little over $4 million, according to the Wall Street Journal, which described the home as a “party palace.”
The couple, who have decided to relocate to Florida, spent years on an extensive renovation that included not only a detailed restoration of its Tudor Revival bones, but also the installation of a number of entertainment amenities.
Those include a 2,100-square-foot ballroom and an indoor pool, as well as a basketball court.
JHL Design and Green Gables Design and Restoration completed the four-year renovation of the 25,568-square-foot home, which was originally designed in 1930 by architect Roscoe D. Hemenway.
The original homeowner was George Phelps Berkey, according to the listing. It was later owned by real estate developer and philanthropist Harry Mittleman.
The 3.3-acre property in the affluent West Hills area features views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens, in addition to the city skyline.
“It not only overlooks the city, you can [also] see the elephants in the [city] zoo,” says listing agent Terry Sprague, of Luxe Forbes Global Properties.
Built for bashes
The eight-bedroom mansion has been “thoughtfully curated to honor its storied provenance” the listing notes. It offers a comfortable and elevated space for both family living and large-scale entertaining.
The show-stopping 2,100-square-foot basketball court/ballroom includes a prep kitchen and bathrooms, along with retractable lights that showcase the space for sports or special events.
The massive primary suite comes with a sitting area and a private balcony.
Views are maximized with added windows in the kitchen, according to the Journal. Finishes such as crown moldings and wood paneling are a nod to its historic design. Modern touches include bold colors and wallpaper.
“Of all the historical homes I’ve represented, this is the most expertly classic and respectful, tasteful reimagination of a historical home I’ve ever seen,” Sprague notes.
The redone residence “is very approachable from a living point of view, [and] has a sense of casualness and comfort,” he adds. “It’s just refined.”
Historic meets modern
The listing agent notes that the renovation maintained the spirit of the original vision while modernizing the spaces at an equally high level.
One improvement is the flow of the interior spaces.
“They simplified some of the floor plan. It’s such a very large house; just moving through the house was a little bit complicated before,” Sprague says. “Without really changing architecture and design, they made the flow of the house much simpler and welcoming.”
Another highlight is the indoor pool, with exposed beams and a vaulted ceiling, plus a changing room, sitting area, and fireplace, which Sprague calls “incredible.”
Other highlights include a billiard room and a lower-level home theater. The basement also features a wine cellar, tasting room, and wet bar.
“We like having parties,” Stephen Marsh told the Journal. “Any chance to entertain, we take advantage.”