The Northwest District is a unique blend of retail and residential in the Northwest section of Portland. Craftsman and Old Portland-style houses co-mingle with grand old apartment buildings and sleek new condominiums, within walking distance of an extensive array of restaurants, bars, and shops. The Portland Streetcar terminates here, connecting the district to the Pearl District and Downtown Portland. The district stretches west to east from the base of the West Hills (Tualatin Mountains) to I-405 (between NW 15th and 16th avenues), and north to south from NW Nicolai St. and the Willamette River to W Burnside St. It borders the neighborhoods of Forest Park and Hillside on the west, Northwest Industrial on the north, the Pearl District on the east, and Goose Hollow on the south. This part of Portland is known more by names for various streets and areas within it than by its official name. These include:

• NW 23rd Ave. Dubbed Trendy-third, this major shopping street is lined with swanky clothing boutiques and other upscale retail, mixed with cafes and restaurants. This area is also known as Uptown (particularly its southern end near W Burnside St.) and includes Nob Hill (centered on NW 23rd Ave. and NW Lovejoy St.).
• NW 21st Ave. The neighborhood’s other main commercial district is a dining and entertainment destination, with popular restaurants, an independent film theater, and numerous bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
• The Alphabet Historic District, an area zoned for historic preservation running roughly from NW 24th Ave. to NW 2nd Ave., and from NW Vaughn St. to W Burnside St. It is named for the alphabetical progression of street names in the area. The Historic Alphabet was platted in 1865 by sea captain John Couch and officially put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. There are four criteria to be included in the Registry: 1) The birthplace of important local institutions, 2) The residence of people who contributed to the shaping of the city, 3) A significant collection of quality examples and styles of architecture, 4) important archeological artifacts. The period of significance begins in 1880, the earliest date of construction for the oldest remaining resources and ends with the beginning of World War II.

The placement of the neighborhood on the National Historic Register was the culmination of 30+ years of efforts begun in the late 1960s to save a “blighted” neighborhood. Hundreds of buildings had been lost and entire blocks of century old buildings were slated for demolition to build parking lots and freeways. Eventually like-minded residents banded together and sued City Hall. As a result, the Office of Neighborhood Associations was established and a Comprehensive Planning document was adopted leading eventually to the high level of livability that Portland residents enjoy today. Beyond NW 21st and 23rd are residential districts and recreational areas, such as the forested Macleay Park (acquired 1897, in the Forest Park neighborhood). Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center and Linfield College-Portland Campus are located between NW 23rd and NW 22nd avenues. Several characters in Portland native Matt Groening's television show The Simpsons have names based on the alphabetically named streets in the Northwest District: Ned Flanders, the bully Kearney, Reverend Lovejoy, Mayor Quimby, Milhouse Van Houten (actually in North Portland), and possibly C. Montgomery Burns[ide] (also named for the large neon Montgomery Park, formerly Montgomery Ward, sign). Parks and Community Centers Northwest District residents have two parks within their borders and easy access to the 5,000 plus acre Forest Park.

• Wallace Park (5.39 acres) is located at NW 25th Avenue and NW Raleigh Street adjacent to the Chapman Elementary School. Facilities include a basketball court, dog off-leash area, horseshoe pit, picnic site, playground, soccer field, softball field, tennis court and restrooms.
• Couch Park (2.39 acres) at NW 19th Avenue and NW Glisan Street includes an outdoor basketball court, restroom, dog off-leash area, and playground.

The Friendly House is located at NW 26th Avenue and NW Savier and it is truly a community asset. Founded in 1930, the "neighbor helping neighbor" philosophy is at the heart of Friendly House and its programs. It has programs for children, adults, and seniors. Although small in size, it does have a room full of exercise equipment along with a gym that is used constantly. The Northwest District has 15 acres of park land and open spaces according to Metro and the Portland Department of Parks and Recreation. Renaissance Homes is proud to be building new LEED certified vintage style new homes in the Alphabet District of Northwest Portland neighborhood. Visit us today and become a part of this close knit Portland community. Renaissance Homes is an award winning Street of Dreams custom home builder specializing in green building, remodeling and renovations for the Portland market. Visit our Design Studio to personalize your next home.