Patton Home Renovation

    Located in Portland’s historic Mississippi Conservation District, Patton Home has served as an option for low-cost housing since 1890. The historically significant structure currently provides 69 SRO units, common kitchens and restrooms, a commercial kitchen, and considerable community space to its very low-income residents.

    MWA Architects partnered with Community Development Partners to provide residents with modern, efficient systems and updated interiors with new flooring, lighting, and paint while retaining the property’s historical significance. The residents take pride in their homes, and the development team made it a goal to maintain and rehabilitate the building for the community of residents that has grown over time. The third-floor renovation added six additional SRO units.

    PROJECT CONTACT

    HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

    Initially operated by the Ladies Union Relief Society of Albina, the building has been owned and operated by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon since 1991. During the turn of the 20th Century, women across the country and in Portland played a significant role in establishing, managing, fundraising, and providing the vision for charitable institutions dedicated to social services, for women and children.

    Patton Home was the first facility in Oregon that provided social services to poor women, children, elders, and immigrants, without the assistance of wealthy donors apart from Matthew Patton’s initial land donation. It was also entirely operated by an all-female board of directors until 1963.

    Landscape improvements to the nearly 1-acre site include replacing the lawn with native plants and refurbishing the central courtyard and community garden with new seating, landscaping, and food planting areas.

    REFURBISHMENT OVER REPLACEMENT

    MWA worked proactively with LMC Construction, focusing on refurbishment over replacement when repairs were essential. Repairs included restoring six original wood-framed windows and cleaning and repointing masonry where needed.

    While the building has been altered several times, Patton Home retains its exterior integrity and is historically significant because it is one of the few remaining facilities that made significant contributions to women’s history in Portland. Patton Home was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 2021.