6,820 square foot house

13,500 square foot lot

6 bedrooms

5 full and 2 half baths

6 fireplaces

City, mountain and park views

Follow the link below to experience the historic Belmont property virtually

The house was built as a Queen Ann Victorian in the early 1890’s.  Jacob H Cook and his wife Etna, purchased the house in 1904 and by  1909 had embarked on a major renovation, ultimately turning it into the Neoclassical design you see today. 

The Cooks spared no expense, adding the wrap around front porch with basalt wall, building multiple balconies, adding back porches, constructing massive basalt chimneys, sourcing sought after Rookwood tile, adding leaded glass windows, using quarter sawn oak trim, installing large pocket doors, mahogany boxed

beams, and installing oak floors throughout. 

The renovation made all the society pages as the home established itself as an iconic Portland Residence.

A century later, the home fell abandoned for nearly 8 years and was badly vandalized. In June of 2018 it was sold at auction and a massive 13 month renovation began with the goal of restoring the house to its original glory.  While sitting empty, all of the lighting and door hardware had been removed so the restoration team began the search for 67 inspirational light fixtures and period door hardware throughout the home.

Thus began the reimagining of Walter.

The kitchen was designed to look and feel like it was always part of the house; a bit grander now, a bit more functional and designed for a chef.  These gorgeous custom oak cabinets were built by Versatile Wood Products,  handmade Moroccan Zellige tile from Ann Sacks, honed calacatta marble counters, 60” Bluestar range, commercial Sub Zero, commercial Miele dishwasher complete with a 24 minute full cycle, reclaimed fir floors from an old school in Silverton, tongue and groove wood ceiling and stunning period lighting.

There are two original JL Mott tubs in the house.  JL Mott Iron Works made top of the line plumbing fixtures in the 19th and early 20th Century. The tubs in Walter are earthenware. They were glazed and Kiln dried and shipped out west. There is a band around the tub that looks less shiny than the rest of the tub. These tubs were meant to have a mural on them so this band was not glazed. As the mural became less fashionable, it was likely sanded off. We think it would be amazing to put a mural back on them.

One of our largest undertakings was the saving and restoring of all the balconies that really make Walter who he is.  We saved 230 of the 300 balusters, meticulously restoring them, and hand producing the remaining 70 to match the originals. All the corners were milled out of wheels of mahogany and cut into pie shaped quarters.  The bottom rail was redesigned to shed water to prepare Walter for his next 100 years of life.

We replaced much of the eaves, soffits, fascia and trim.  When the trim needed to be replaced, we custom milled in order to match the original profile.  

Much of the brilliant original fir siding is in place, while we carefully replaced any that was necessary to

bring Walter’s exterior back to the perfection that the neighborhood remembers.

We imagine that Walter’s lower-level speakeasy has been home to some of Portland’s most lively and interesting conversations, ideas, and creativity.  The breadth of the room and rich woods allow for both intimate gatherings and grand cocktail parties.  The concrete floors have been sanded and sealed, windows have been restored, and the space is ready for both wine cellar and cigar room. Evenings of guests retiring to the lower level for a glass of wine or scotch is one of Water’s favorite past times.

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