$5.3 Million Oregon Home Designed by Architect William M. Whidden Is a Shining Example of Prairie School Style

In one of Oregon’s most exclusive communities, where grand estates line tree-shaded streets overlooking the Willamette River, a celebrated historic property has come to market for $5.29 million.

The extraordinary home, which is known as High Hatch Estate, is a landmark property in the upscale community of Dunthorpe that is offering buyers the chance to own a true piece of Portland history.

Completed in 1901, the home reflects the same Prairie School principles that would later make Frank Lloyd Wright a household name—clean horizontal lines, flowing spaces, and a deep reverence for the natural world.

Designed by renowned architect William M. Whidden as his personal residence, High Hatch is widely regarded as his firm’s finest expression of Prairie School architecture and remains one of the state's earliest examples of the movement.

"It is an honor to bring an estate to market that encapsulates the very best of the last century," says listing agent Kevin Hall with Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty.

"From its architectural significance to the care and expertise poured into the home's maintenance and restoration, High Hatch Estate is sure to be treasured by its new owner for decades to come."

The home's association with Whidden, its magnificent grounds, and its restored carriage house, which also served as a schoolhouse at one time, have all contributed to its historic designation, according to Hall.

“This particular stretch of Dunthorpe was once known as the 'Riviera' for its sweeping water views and grassy acreage parcels that offered some of the finest vistas in the area,” he shares.

But the carriage house isn't the only part of the estate that’s been thoughtfully restored over the years. The current owners have invested heavily in the property, both inside and out, to create the luxury residence buyers see today.

From updated kitchens and bathrooms to professionally designed interiors and meticulously restored gardens, the home exudes a refined elegance worthy of its storied address, which Hall explains has its own very illustrious history.

“Military Lane is often dubbed ‘the prettiest street in Portland,’ and there’s much published about this desirable road,” says Hall. “Lined with exquisite, timeless, architecturally significant homes, it’s a no-through street with access to Oregon's top-ranked Riverdale School District.”

Indeed, the street has previously been described as the "most exclusive" in Portland—not least because it is home to several other architectural gems, including the Elk Rock Estate, an extraordinary property that was built in 1916 for local grain baron Peter Kerr.

Then there is the Pierre Rossiter and Charlotte Hines House, which was completed in 1928, having been commissioned by mining mogul Pierre Rossiter Hines, just one year before the stock market crash.

That property most recently hit the market in February 2025 and sold in May of this year for $2.75 million.

Yet for all that extraordinary architecture, High Hatch still stands out as a truly remarkable offering.

And despite its place on the National Register of Historic Places, the home feels just as vibrant today as it did more than a century ago. Intricately carved millwork, lofty ceilings, six fireplaces, and a functional floor plan show just how well the original design has stood the test of time.

The expansive layout includes a "Thanksgiving-sized" dining room with its own fireplace, a pristine marble kitchen outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances, and a butler's pantry. Upstairs, the luxurious primary suite captures breathtaking views of the gardens, the river, and Mount Hood. 

Outside, the estate's grounds are just as impressive—with carefully restored gardens, sprawling lawns, gravel pathways, and a pond. A European-style grass-edge swimming pool, multiple terraces and patios, two firepits, and a poolside bathroom with an outdoor shower round out the offerings. 

"Buyers are looking for that 'something extra' in a luxury home these days," Hall says. "High Hatch Estate brings all the extra while being firmly anchored in timeless design and craftsmanship that never goes out of style."