The NW Natural Street of Dreams has launched its 2025 edition with significant changes that deviate from the 50-year tradition of the show.
This year, the event is showcasing 18 new homes scattered across the Portland metro area, rather than concentrating on a handful of high-end residences in a single location.
Tour days are now limited to Thursdays through Sundays starting from July 31 through August 24.
Longtime attendees will also notice a blend of housing styles on display.
The show features high-end amenities and finishes in not only large homes but also affordable cottages that share city lots.
On a recent Saturday, visitors Brittany Bogue and Matt Doyle explored three compact, cottage-cluster homes on a Northeast Portland corner lot, once occupied by a small fixer-upper.
One of the highlighted cottages measures 1,285 square feet and is priced at $599,000, closely aligning with the Portland metro median sale price of $570,000 for new and resale properties, as stated in the latest findings from the Regional Multiple Listing Service.
Bogue and Doyle, who are not actively searching for a new home themselves, recently acquired a cottage in the Alberta Arts District.
Their attendance at the show was motivated by curiosity regarding how builders are successfully delivering quality without sacrificing construction standards in lower-cost homes.
Broker Darryl Bodle emphasized that being featured at the renowned Street of Dreams elevates the notion of ‘affordable luxury.’
He is managing his team at two prominent sites on the tour: DEZ Development’s cottage cluster in the Alberta Arts District and homes by Aker Development starting at $549,900 in Multnomah Village.
Bodle noted, ‘You can find the same luxuries in these little guys that are affordable that you get in the big houses that cost millions of dollars.’
He emphasized that these smaller homes still offer a wealth of luxury amenities, merely packaged in a smaller footprint.
In contrast, twelve miles south, a grand mansion in Lake Oswego represents the Street of Dreams’ traditional allure.
This opulent two-level home boasts 8,725 square feet, marking it as the largest ever featured in the show, which is famous for its lavishness.
Broker Eugene Lew, who has represented the builder Red Hills Land and Design in its Street of Dreams entries since 2014, remarked that the 1.6-acre estate has already been sold, with a potential construction cost estimated between $8 million and $10 million.
Designed to accommodate four generations of one family, the mansion prioritizes accessibility, incorporating wide halls and an elevator.
Lew highlighted the house’s architectural features, mentioning an aesthetically pleasing combination of arches, exposed wooden beams, natural stone accents, lacquered brass, and copper fixtures to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Interior designer Jody Wallace sought to create an unobstructed view from the entrance through several rooms, extending to a lavish pool complete with a 14-foot waterfall.
To enhance visibility, she successfully advocated for a sunken lounge, replacing a breakfast nook that would have obstructed the view.
This mansion is not just about opulence; it also incorporates functional luxuries, such as a dry-cleaning machine within the primary suite’s closet, catering to the lifestyle of a busy professional.
The outdoor entertainment zone features a wood-burning pizza oven and grill overlooking a well-manicured putting green, while a golf simulator is in the works.
Inside, amenities include a movie theater, gym, and infrared saunas, making it a self-contained oasis.
As Lew remarked, ‘Everyday is a vacation; this is clearly the showpiece.’
Just across Goodall Road, another mansion within the new Oswego Reserve development is also part of the Street of Dreams.
Although the sale price for this custom house, featuring 7,927 square feet of living space built by Elite Homes, remains undisclosed, its luxury is part of the event’s appeal.
The final seven lots in the Oswego Reserve subdivision are currently on the market through Hall Group Properties.
Reflecting on the history of the Street of Dreams, it originated in 1975 with the Home Building Association of Greater Portland introducing the concept of a ‘single site’ housing exhibition.
During a period of rising inflation, mortgage rates exceeding 9%, and a scarcity of homes, the first Street of Dreams debuted in the Rock Creek subdivision of Washington County, where custom homes with microwaves sold for approximately $75,000.
The event has since mirrored changing times, showcasing innovative designs and builders’ abilities across various architectural styles.
Elements such as outdoor living areas, luxurious pool settings, and impressive landscaping offer inspiration for attendees and potential homeowners alike.
In 1979, a notable transaction occurred when a tour visitor purchased a home for cash on the spot.
The peak attendance year for the event was 1983 when over 125,000 individuals visited the 14 homes showcased in West Linn.
After a strong run during the construction boom of the 2010s, Portland found itself at the bottom of the Urban Land Institute’s report, ranking 80th out of 81 metro areas in real estate prospects.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the abrupt cancellation of the 2020 Street of Dreams and a virtual presentation in 2021.
Shifts in housing markets, coupled with average fixed mortgage rates hitting 6.72% and a decline in large-scale development properties, have transformed the landscape of housing in the region.
In response, the Home Building Association of Greater Portland has diversified the types of homes displayed, from lavish estates to economically viable options like recycled shipping containers.
The geographic scope of the event has also expanded significantly.
This year, organizers anticipate attracting more than 25,000 attendees, featuring homes from Happy Valley to Northeast Portland, west to Forest Grove, and south to Wilsonville.
The tagline for this year’s show succinctly encapsulates its evolution: ‘Because dreams look different.’
What lingers is a captivating blend of practical solutions paired with whimsical aspirations.
If you plan to attend, the 2025 NW Natural Street of Dreams is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays from July 31 to August 24.
A ticket is available for $29 at streetofdreamspdx.com, granting a one-time entry to each featured home during the event.
Additionally, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the nonprofit Home Building Foundation of Greater Portland, benefiting local organizations focused on shelter renovations and providing support for workforce development and construction industry scholarships.
image source from：oregonlive
