Historic Downtown Oregon City

Signature Property in Downtown Oregon City Ready for Adaptive Reuse.

The membership of Multnomah Lodge #1, the oldest Masonic Lodge west of the Missouri River, have listed 707 Main Street in Downtown Oregon City for sale as a commercial property with a list price of $875,000.

Multnomah Lodge #1 has retained real estate professionals Scott Elliott and Todd Collins from Macadam Forbes to act as brokers for this 29,700 square foot four storing building with full basement. The property is visible from 99E carrying more than 40,000 visitors a day through downtown Oregon City and according to experts in adaptive reuse and downtown revitalization the building is well suited for a mix of commercial uses including retail, office and potentially residential.

The current owners of the building, Multnomah Lodge #1, recognize that substantive internal restoration that preserves the character of the building but also brings the property up to modern standards, will best be completed by a new owner.

The Multnomah Lodge, designed and constructed by local Masons in 1907, is the tallest building downtown and retains this distinction through a zoning ordinance and local tradition. Its presence is felt from the McLoughlin Promenade, atop the Municipal Elevator, the Oregon City Arch Bridge, and across the Willamette River in West Linn.  Over the years, the building has housed the City library, morgue, telephone switchboard and many other municipal and commercial activities.

Multnomah Lodge #1 is among the most valuable cultural, architectural and historic resources in the City of Oregon City.  In a town that defines much of Oregon’s earliest history, this is saying a lot.  Through the Mason’s stewardship, the character and defining elements of the building remain largely intact.  Designed and built in 1907 as a cast in place concrete structure, the building is unique for its early use of concrete as the original finish material.

The Lodge’s beginnings date back to February 21, 1846 when seven Master Masons drew up a petition for a new lodge and trailblazer and wagon train leader Joel Palmer delivered the petition to the Missouri Grand Lodge. Two years, 7 months and 6 days later the charter was finally delivered back to Oregon City granting Multnomah Lodge #1 jurisdiction from Canada to Mexico between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.

For a time, 166 years ago, Downtown Oregon City was in the national spotlight as a nexus for migration, commerce, industry, and nation building.  As the end of the Oregon Trail and the capital of the Northwest Territory, this place shone brilliantly as a beacon of innovation, settlement, and a still young Nation’s expansion across the continent. “The Masonic Lodge in Downtown Oregon City embodies this history and heritage,” said Lloyd Purdy, Director of Oregon City’s downtown revitalization program.  “It’s also clear that 707 Main Street is ready for the next chapter in its history.”

707 & 709 Main Street Oregon City, Oregon

Property Description

• Gross Building SF: 29,700 SF
• Main Floor Area: 5,850 SF
• Upper Floors: 17,550 SF
• Basement Area: 6,300 SF
• Land Area: 6,928 SF

Terms

• Sale Price: $875,000
• Listing Agents: Scott Elliott 503.972.7284 or Todd Collins 503.972.7283 both with Macadam Forbes
• Multnomah Lodge Downtown Oregon City

The Multnomah Lodge, designed and constructed by local Masons in 1907, is the tallest building downtown. Its presence is felt from the WPA McLoughlin Promenade, the Arch Bridge, and across the Willamette River in West Linn.

The building has housed the City library, morgue, telephone switchboard and many other municipal and commercial activities.  Multnomah Lodge #1 is among the most valuable cultural, architectural and historic resources in the City of Oregon City.  In a town that defines much of Oregon’s earliest history, this is saying a lot.

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