Goose Hollow

One of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, Goose Hollow sits just southwest of downtown between I-405 and the base of the West Hills. The name dates back to the 1870s, when residents in the low-lying hollow along Tanner Creek famously kept — and argued over — geese; Police Chief James Lappeus is credited with coining the name after the dispute made local headlines. Longtime Portland mayor Bud Clark later helped keep the name alive through his tavern, the Goose Hollow Inn, which still operates today. The first woman mayor lived here also in a beautiful home with 4 stories, including a ballroom on the top floor.

The neighborhood’s boundaries run from Burnside Street on the north to the low slopes of the West Hills on the south, and from I-405 on the east to Washington Park on the west. Within those boundaries are several distinct sub-areas: King’s Hill, once home to Portland’s turn-of-the-century merchant class; Vista Ridge and Gander Ridge, separated by Tanner Creek and Cable Car Canyons; and the flats near the original hollow itself. The Vista Bridge, built in 1925, still spans Cable Car Canyon and connects the neighborhood’s upper and lower sections.

Housing Styles and Architecture

Goose Hollow’s housing stock reflects its charming history. The King’s Hill and Gander Ridge areas retain many of the neighborhood’s oldest homes, including Victorian and Colonial Revival residences built by Portland’s early merchant families — some German, Jewish, and British — starting in the late 1800s. Lower-lying areas near the original hollow saw waves of cottage construction through the early 1900s, with many of those homes still standing today, though some were replaced with apartment buildings during a construction boom in the 1970s.

The neighborhood is also home to a substantial stock of older brick apartment houses and residential hotels, concentrated in what’s sometimes called the Lownsdale area, alongside more modern condominium towers. Notable examples include The Civic, a 16-story, 261-unit LEED Gold-certified tower completed in 2008 steps from Providence Park, and The Legends, a 9-story, 80-unit building completed in 1997. This mix of historic single-family homes, vintage apartment buildings, and contemporary condos gives Goose Hollow one of the most varied housing profiles of any close-in Portland neighborhood.

For current listings and pricing in Goose Hollow, visit Lauren’s live MLS search at search.PDXHomesforSale.com.

Parks, Landmarks & Nearby Places

Providence Park — SW 18th Ave & Morrison St. One of the oldest major soccer stadiums in the country and home to the Portland Timbers (MLS) and Portland Thorns (NWSL), Providence Park anchors Goose Hollow’s commercial core.

Lincoln High School — 1750 SW Salmon St. The oldest high school in the Pacific Northwest, Lincoln is a defining neighborhood landmark as much as a school.

Multnomah Athletic Club — 1849 SW Salmon St. A private social and athletic club founded in 1891, located directly across from Providence Park.

Washington Park — Bordering Goose Hollow to the west, Washington Park brings the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, the World Forestry Center, the Portland Children’s Museum, and the Vietnam Veterans and Oregon Holocaust memorials all within reach on foot or by MAX.

Vista Bridge — Built in 1925 to span Cable Car Canyon, connecting the Vista Ridge and Gander Ridge sections of the neighborhood; offers panoramic views of downtown Portland.

Zion Lutheran Church — 1015 SW 18th Ave. Built in 1950 and designed by renowned Oregon architect Pietro Belluschi.

Hotel deLuxe — 729 SW 15th Ave. Originally built as the Mallory Hotel in 1912, this Art Deco boutique hotel is a Goose Hollow landmark and home to Gracie’s restaurant and the Driftwood Room bar.

Artists Repertory Theatre — A longtime Goose Hollow arts institution known for contemporary and boundary-pushing programming.

Public Schools Serving Goose Hollow

Students in Goose Hollow attend Portland Public Schools (PPS). School assignments are determined by address; verify current boundaries at pps.net.

Key Features

  • One of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, with a documented history dating to the 1870s
  • Home to Providence Park, the Multnomah Athletic Club, and Lincoln High School
  • Direct MAX Red and Blue Line service via the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St Station
  • A mix of historic Victorian and Colonial Revival homes, vintage brick apartment buildings, and modern condo towers
  • Immediate access to Washington Park’s gardens, zoo, and trail system
  • Extremely walkable, urban-core location just blocks from downtown Portland
  • Sub-neighborhoods King’s Hill, Vista Ridge, and Gander Ridge each with distinct character
  • The 1925 Vista Bridge, a historic pedestrian and vehicle crossing over Cable Car Canyon

What Locals Love

  • Gorgeous older homes, some legitimately could be called mansions, make this one of the most charming neighborhoods in Portland
  • Steep streets and rolling terrain mean many homes have spectacular views of the Portland skyline, especially those near the Vista bridge
  • Older homes have charming features such as ice delivery doors, sleeping porches, intricate moldings, formal parlors, and sometimes fireplaces in the bedrooms.
  • Washington Park abuts the neighborhood, meaning easy walking to the Portland International Rose Test Garden or the zoo.
  • The MAX (light rail) Red and Blue lines run right through the neighborhood, so a car is not required.
  • Zupan’s market is just down Vista, so gourmet groceries are available easily.

Things to Consider

  • Street parking difficult, especially in hilly areas, and many homes have either only a 1 car “garage” that could hold a horse drawn carriage or a model T more easily than a modern automobile.
  • In the lower areas, game days at Providence Park can increase the parking difficulty
  • Century old homes often have century old systems inside and lack the “open concept” living of today’s designs – be prepared for many smaller rooms or be prepared to undertake some extensive remodeling
  • In my experience, most homes have some degree of sloping floors or foundation cracks. Foundations should always be inspected.

Popular Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs

Goose Hollow’s compact commercial core, centered around Providence Park and the MAX station, is packed with long-running local institutions alongside newer spots.

Goose Hollow Inn — 1927 SW Jefferson St. Opened in 1967 by former Portland mayor Bud Clark, this neighborhood tavern is famous for its Reuben sandwiches, pitchers of beer, and dog-friendly covered patio. 🌐 goosehollowinn.com

Fehrenbacher Hof — 1225 SW 19th Ave. A cozy coffee house tucked into the first floor of a 1932 craftsman home, known for breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and locally roasted Coava coffee. 🌐 fehrenbacherhof.com

Gracie’s — 729 SW 15th Ave, inside Hotel deLuxe. An Art Deco, Hollywood-glamour dining room serving brunch daily along with Pacific Northwest-inspired lunch and dinner menus. 🌐 hoteldeluxe.com/dining/gracies

The Cheerful Bullpen — 1730 SW Taylor St. A neighborhood sports bar and pub operating since 1948, located directly across from Providence Park — a favorite for game-day gatherings.

Leaky Roof Gastro Pub — A longtime neighborhood brunch spot known for its benedicts, omelets, and hearty house specialties.

The Driftwood Room — 729 SW 15th Ave, inside Hotel deLuxe. A mid-century-styled cocktail bar serving signature drinks since 1954.

Transportation & Access

Goose Hollow is one of the most transit-accessible neighborhoods in Portland. Both the MAX Red and Blue Light Rail lines run directly through the neighborhood, with a dedicated Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St Station serving residents. I-405 borders the neighborhood to the east, providing quick freeway access in all directions, and downtown Portland is within easy walking distance.

The neighborhood carries a Walk Score in the low-to-mid 90s, reflecting its dense mix of housing, dining, parks, and transit — residents can comfortably live without a car. For those headed west, Washington Park and the West Hills trail network are reachable on foot or via a short MAX ride.

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