The beautiful Willamette River flows through some of Oregon’s loveliest cities and feeds the fertile Willamette Valley, the heart of Oregon’s wine country which is home to nearly 600 wineries. Along the shores of the river in the cities of West Linn, Wilsonville and Newberg, luxury estates abound, and residents take advantage of the outstanding amenities and cultural opportunities each community has to offer.

Photo Credit: LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate

West Linn

West Linn is an affluent city of 25,000, centrally-located just minutes south of Portland. Located along the Willamette River, West Linn has been called the “city of hills, trees and rivers” and offers varied residential property options from upscale residences in the hills overlooking the river to luxury waterfront estates to vineyard acreage. “You’ll find an abundance of small-town charm in West Linn,” says Kendra Ratcliff, vice president and principal broker of LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate. With excellent schools, a quaint downtown, tree-lined streets, abundant parks, and recreational activities, West Linn is hailed as a superb, family-friendly community.

Photo Credit: LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate

Wilsonville

Situated just south of Portland along the Willamette River is the city of Wilsonville. This community of 24,000 residents is perfectly located for those looking for a suburban or semi-rural lifestyle while having convenient access to downtown Portland and Portland International Airport. With excellent access to the river, residents enjoy boating, swimming and other water sports. “While the river is a big draw in Wilsonville,” Ratcliff says, “you are also able to find acreage properties with equestrian facilities, vineyards and luxury estates. It’s a diverse city that combines a great school system, parks, restaurants, and a thriving business community.”

Photo Credit: LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate

Newberg

In the heart of Oregon’s wine country is Newberg, home to a vast array of award-winning vineyards and wineries as well as a historic downtown filled with restaurants, charming boutiques, art galleries, and a world-class cultural arts center. For water enthusiasts, through Newberg, the Willamette River is calm and quiet with little coves and beaches to stop and enjoy a swim or a picnic. “A wonderful thing about Newberg real estate is that you’ll find both extraordinary properties in the rolling hills among acres upon acres of vineyards and distinctive estates along the shore of the Willamette River,” explains Ratcliff. “Newberg is a quintessential wine country town. It has the feel of Napa or Sonoma but without the price tag!”

Photo Credit: LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate

For more information about luxury properties throughout Oregon, please contact Kendra Ratcliff at 503-330-6677 or Kendra@LuxeCIR.com.

LUXE Christie's International is the exclusive real estate company representing the Oregon & Washington (SW, Central & Eastern) real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

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Just a few short years ago, the east side of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, was seen as the gritty, industrial section of the city. The west side of the river, with Downtown Portland, the Pearl District and the beautiful West Hills neighborhoods, was the place for purchasing high-end real estate. But times have changed in Portland, and the Eastside is now a hot spot for commercial developers and design-savvy residential buyers.

With the implementation of Portland’s Opportunity Zone designation, the inner east side of Portland has seen an influx of new commercial development. This new development is required to include flex office space, the kind of real estate that many technology and design start-up firms love. The employees these start-ups attract are often the type of people who have the desire to live close to where they work, which has encouraged the residential market to step up its offerings to include the type of upscale homes these employees desire.

This combination of the commercial real estate boom and new residents flocking to the Eastside is actually perfect for this area, as it has always had wonderfully walkable neighborhoods, stylish retail enclaves and a collection of grand and eclectic homes.

“We’re seeing an influx of people moving to the inner Eastside from out-of-state, especially California,” says Elliott Moore, a broker with LUXE Christie’s International Real Estate. “People don’t want to live in the suburbs anymore. They want to live close to work and be in walkable parts of the city where they can easily shop and go to restaurants and theaters.”

That’s exactly what Portland’s inner Eastside offers. “There’s a lot of wealth and power on the east side,” explains Moore, who is a fifth generation Portlander and expert in the Eastside’s real estate market, “but it’s more demure than in downtown or the Pearl District.” Award-winning restaurants, a collection of craft breweries and distilleries, dog-friendly establishments, great public transportation, and active bike culture are just a few of the reasons people are looking to the east side of the river as a great place to live. “People want to live this life, and Portland’s Eastside has it,” Moore explains.

The picturesque, tree-lined streets of the Eastside’s many pocket neighborhoods have a variety of historic estates mixed with luxury condos, Mid-Century gems, and modern homes. And though many buyers don’t realize it, neighborhoods like Mt. Tabor and Alameda Ridge offer incredible views of downtown Portland, the Willamette River, and the Cascade Mountains.

Buyers looking for a high-end home in Portland have so many options when it comes to home style and location. “I know the Eastside like the back of my hand,” says Moore, “and LUXE Christie’s has a curated knowledge about luxury properties. We love helping buyers explore the area to find just the right home in just the right neighborhood.”

For more information about property in Portland’s Eastside, please contact Elliott Moore at 503.320.6582 or ElliottWMoore@LuxeCIR.com.

Photos courtesy of LUXE Christie’s International 

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Some people feel most at home when on the water. For them, luxury houseboat living offers all the benefits of a modern residence with a few unique qualities. The floor gently moves beneath your feet. Fresh breezes roll in off the surface of the water, and natural light is everywhere.

Storms can be concerning. Upkeep is essential. And having hot water can be challenging. For luxury houseboat owners, though, the charm of watching the sunset over the water from their front porch is worth any minor inconvenience.

These luxury houseboats rock–and not just from the waves.

Villa Nackros

This floating villa on Sweden's east coast has an expansive floor plan with over 1,900 square feet of living space. An additional 1,000 square feet of rooftop space is the perfect place to cultivate a home herb garden while enjoying 360-degree views.

Designed by renowned architect, Staffan Strindberg, this-6 room floating villa started with a very specific inspiration. "The design is focused on bringing the surroundings inside, to get the feeling of the water into your living,” Strindberg said in an interview for New Atlas.

Water Villa Omval

The Dutch firm +31 Architects created this bright white aluminum houseboat in Amsterdam that will make you think you're in a contemporary split-level condo until you glance out one of the floor-to-ceiling windows and see the Amstel River.

The bottom section sits just below the surface of the water, resembling the hull of a ship. A floating terrace runs alongside the main house–allowing residents to step out of one of the sliding glass doors and walk along the water on the outside.

The Seahorse

In Dubai, luxury living is on another level. Lifestyle is the focus of the houseboats available at the Heart of Europe at The World Islands and marketed by LuxuryProperty.com. The Floating Seahorse is a fully-customizable 4,000 square-foot family home on and under the water.

The signature edition offers three-levels with the lowest floor's massive windows showing immersive under-sea views. It looks like a set from a James Bond movie with state-of-the-art technology throughout and climate controls inside and out.

Andrew Cummings, co-founder and managing director of LuxuryProperty.com says, "The Seahorse offers a unique aquatic experience, with the main bedroom located underwater, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the crystal blue ocean. Residents can enjoy the spectacular marine life up close and personal from the end of their bed, or out on their private relaxation deck."

Whether you aim to entertain or enjoy the privacy and peace of life surrounded by sea life–the Floating Seahorse can be tailored to suit your every need.

The Fennell Residence

There is something timeless and poetic about the constant flow of a river. It was this quality that the Fennell Residence hoped to capture when it was designed and built to resemble the shape of flowing water.

Resting on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. This undulating home is constructed from curved beams making it feel completely natural in its environment yet out-of-this-world at the same time.

"Luxury floating homes are few and far between in Portland, and the exquisite contemporary design of the Fennell Residence makes this particular floating house even more extraordinary. Portland-based architect Robert Harvey Oshatz is well known for his organic, innovative creations that are born from his unique approach to architecture–integrating the environment and the personalities and dreams of his clients," says Kristen Kohnstamm, principal broker with Cascade Sotheby's International Realty.

The Nut House

For a whimsically colorful take on houseboat living, step aboard "The Nut House." Built from the ground up by Ty Angle, everything on this boat is entirely custom. Each level including the upstairs bar has a custom lighting scheme, which can be controlled by an iPad mounted on the wall. This house makes sure Lake Don Pedro stays lit long after the California sun has set.

These houseboats are not only architectural marvels. They are outfitted with the modern conveniences of a brick and mortar home–from central heating, and chef-quality ranges to cozy fireplaces.

Houseboats let you have a big city at your doorstep, while still feeling the freedom of the open sea.

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