Francis Marion Stokes Fourplex
Encyclopedia
The Francis Marion Stokes Fourplex is a historic residential building located in the Northwest district of Portland
, Oregon
, United States
.
. It is laid out on a rectangular plan with each floor divided into an east and a west apartment. The building is clad in smooth stucco typical of the Mediterranean style, and has a flat roof. The south elevation is symmetrical and features an enclosed entry porch having a pointed horseshoe arch in a Moorish style, decorated with wooden false beams.
Above the entry porch is a rectangular salient holding a pair of arched windows divided by a spiraled-column mullion
. The pair of windows are inset in a deep blind arch. Both the porch and the salient have tiled pent roofs. Flanking the entry porch are large tri-partate windows surrounded by highly decorated frames; above each of these is a pair of blind arches with decorative ceramic tiles inset in tympanums
. Each arch has a double hung window, one over, and a corbelled wrought-iron balconet. The east and west sides of the building each have stuccoed balconies at the first and second floor, chimneys servicing both levels, and flanking windows. The north elevation (rear) is fairly plain, except for an interesting arrangement of windows and a rear door.
, the man who named Portland as a prize in a coin-toss
.
The Fourplex is located on a 6000 square feet (557.4 m²) lot. Each of the two floors has 1964 square feet (182.5 m²) of living space divided into two apartments per floor.
designed the building in 1926 for Esther Kuhn of Portland, Oregon
. Stokes became owner of the building the same year and lived in it, in Unit #2, from 1929 until his death in 1975. Most of Stokes' work, which had a considerable influence on Portland's architecture, was completed during the 46 years he lived in the fourplex.
in February 1996. Prior to its listing on the Register, the fourplex was also known as the Kuhn Apartments building.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Architecture
The Fourplex is an example of Mediterranean Revival Style architectureMediterranean Revival Style architecture
The Mediterranean Revival was an eclectic design style that was first introduced in the United States about the end of the nineteenth century, and became popular during the 1920s and 1930s...
. It is laid out on a rectangular plan with each floor divided into an east and a west apartment. The building is clad in smooth stucco typical of the Mediterranean style, and has a flat roof. The south elevation is symmetrical and features an enclosed entry porch having a pointed horseshoe arch in a Moorish style, decorated with wooden false beams.
Above the entry porch is a rectangular salient holding a pair of arched windows divided by a spiraled-column mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
. The pair of windows are inset in a deep blind arch. Both the porch and the salient have tiled pent roofs. Flanking the entry porch are large tri-partate windows surrounded by highly decorated frames; above each of these is a pair of blind arches with decorative ceramic tiles inset in tympanums
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
. Each arch has a double hung window, one over, and a corbelled wrought-iron balconet. The east and west sides of the building each have stuccoed balconies at the first and second floor, chimneys servicing both levels, and flanking windows. The north elevation (rear) is fairly plain, except for an interesting arrangement of windows and a rear door.
Building facts
The Francis Marion Stokes Fourplex is located at 2253 N.W. Pettygrove St, in the same block as historic Pettygrove House, a Victorian house built in 1892 and former home to Francis PettygroveFrancis Pettygrove
Francis William Pettygrove , commonly known as William Pettygrove, was a pioneer and one of the founders of the cities of Portland, Oregon, and Port Townsend, Washington. Born in Maine, he re-located to the Oregon Country in 1843 to establish a store in Oregon City...
, the man who named Portland as a prize in a coin-toss
Coin flipping
Coin flipping or coin tossing or heads or tails is the practice of throwing a coin in the air to choose between two alternatives, sometimes to resolve a dispute between two parties...
.
The Fourplex is located on a 6000 square feet (557.4 m²) lot. Each of the two floors has 1964 square feet (182.5 m²) of living space divided into two apartments per floor.
The Architect
Francis Marion StokesFrancis Marion Stokes
Francis Marion Stokes , was an American architect famous for his works in the Portland, Oregon, area. Francis and his father William R. Stokes, formed two generations of a Portland design and architectural tradition lasting for over 80 years, from 1882 though the 1960s...
designed the building in 1926 for Esther Kuhn of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Stokes became owner of the building the same year and lived in it, in Unit #2, from 1929 until his death in 1975. Most of Stokes' work, which had a considerable influence on Portland's architecture, was completed during the 46 years he lived in the fourplex.
National Register
The building was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in February 1996. Prior to its listing on the Register, the fourplex was also known as the Kuhn Apartments building.
See also
- The St. Johns Post Office (Portland, Oregon)St. Johns Post Office (Portland, Oregon)The St. Johns Station U.S. Post Office is a historic building located in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, United States.-Architecture:...
- Mission Revival Style architectureMission Revival Style architectureThe Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
- Architecture of Portland, Oregon