Blackstone Hall is a five-story student residence hall at

Portland State University Portland State University (PSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans. It evolved into a four-year college over the following two decades ...

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...

, a city in the United States. The building contains five two-bedroom units, 19 one-bedroom units, 14 studios, and 13 sleepers that share a bath, shower, and kitchen.

History

The Blackstone Apartment building was designed by architect

Elmer Feig Elmer Edward Feig (May 9, 1897 - October 20, 1968) was an American unlicensed architect credited with designing over 81 apartment buildings between 1925 and 1931 in Portland, Oregon. Feig also designed single-family residences. Many of Feig's desi ...

in 1930 for owner and real estate developer

Harry Mittleman Harry Mittleman (May 24, 1900 – August 1, 1985) was a prominent building contractor, apartment owner, and real estate developer in Portland, Oregon. During his career, he built more than 20 apartment buildings and owned 30 bank buildings. Mittlem ...

and is considered an outstanding example of Feig's work. Mittleman was known for employing large numbers of workers and finishing construction within months after beginning. In late March, 1930, Mittleman applied for an exemption to Portland's building code that would allow him to place a backyard on the side of the 100-foot square lot that would become Blackstone Apartments at 395 West Park Street. The address was later changed to 1831 SW Park Avenue according to the 1933 street renumbering system. In early April, Mittleman estimated construction costs at $120,000 and began excavation soon thereafter. By summer the building was completed at a cost of $300,000. The new apartment building offered a "gorgeously furnished," five-room suite and choice, smaller units. Mittleman's office was on the ground floor of the Blackstone, and from there he managed construction of other apartment buildings on SW Park Avenue, including Parkway Manor and Jeanne Manor. On March 1, 1931, a bomb exploded outside Mittleman's office. No injuries were reported, and the case was never solved. Portland State University acquired the property in 1969.

References

External links

University Housing 101
{{Portland State University 1930 establishments in Oregon Apartment buildings in Portland, Oregon Buildings and structures completed in 1930 Portland State University buildings University and college dormitories in the United States