Portland’s Storied ‘Carousel House’ Hits Market for the Very First Time—With an Asking Price of $1.7 Million

Nestled on an Oregon hillside, sitting among tall trees and overlooking an immense valley, is a home so unique in design that it has left a definitive stamp on modern architecture—having been dreamed up by a family as they gathered around a table with “martinis in hand.”

Now, for the first time since it was built in 1969, “The Carousel House” in Portland is available to buy, having been put on the market by that same family, the Wyses, for $1.69 million.

“The earliest plans came to life around the Wyse table, sketches spread out, martinis in hand, conversation carrying on late into the evening,” the listing reveals.

Having created a design for their dream dwelling, which draws its name from its unique “octagonal clerestory ceilings” that “radiate outward like a carousel,” the family commissioned local architect Marjorie Wintermute to bring their vision to life.

The result is a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired abode that listing agent Craig Weintz of Vetiver Street Real Estate describes as an “absolute gem of a home.”

The distinctively shaped home was designed to showcase the impressive views of the valley below and the surrounding natural environment, while also ensuring it would not block the neighbors’ vistas.

 “It embraces its environment and surroundings,” Weintz explains. The design achieves this through three octagonal clerestory ceilings that radiate outward—just like the roof of a merry-go-round.

“The architect referred to them as carousels. They bring light in, they make the rooms that they’re in feel larger, and you can see the sky from all directions.

“It has never been on the market. … Someone’s just going to be very lucky to have it.”

Molly King of Vetiver Street highlights the significance of its creators: “The collaboration between two pioneering women, architect Marjorie Wintermute and landscape architect Barbara Fealy, makes this property very special.

“Their vision brought bold modern lines, clerestory windows and light, and thoughtful landscaping into seamless conversation.”

That vision led to the creation of a gorgeous, light, and airy home that captures a moment when modern architecture and landscape design were “rooted in both innovation and sensitivity to place,” according to the listing. 

“The Carousel House feels both striking and welcoming,” King adds. “Its octagonal forms and windows invite light to move across the interiors, while wood paneling and fireplaces create a warmth that grounds its modern lines.”

The home’s architectural pedigree is also unrivaled, not least because of Wintermute’s involvement.

Wintermute, one of Portland’s top female architects, drew inspiration from Wright’s Prairie-style homes when envisioning the Carousel House.

Prairie style was the first design movement for Wright, who went on to become one of America’s most celebrated architects. It mirrors the low, flat look of a rural prairie by keeping the roofs of houses long and straight, a strong departure from the classical pitched, triangular roof.

This influence is evident in the Carousel House, which features two stories of broad, flat ceilings that are dramatically punctuated by the octagonal domes. These sudden lifts in the clerestory ceilings allow light to be drawn in and diffused throughout the interior spaces.

The effect is a light and airy environment, with the wooden paneling throughout warming the rooms and evoking the forest that surrounds the property. It creates the feeling of being in nature even when you’re comfortably inside the home. 

“The design doesn’t just sit on the land; it lives with it,” King says. “Glass walls and decks open to sweeping valley views, while layered plantings and terraces create a sense of harmony between the house and its setting.

“Even the roofline was shaped with intention, designed as a nod to Frank Lloyd Wright while preserving the views for neighbors behind.”

Spanning roughly 4,400 square feet, the house offers flexibility for its next resident.

“It was built for their family with the primary on the main and the laundry on the main,” Weintz notes. “Then to have bedrooms down below and a family room—it’s just really a nice layout.”

Down below are two more bedrooms, a family room, and a workroom, all of which can be reinterpreted into whatever space suits the lucky next owner, whether that means extra room for guests, a private studio, or areas for personal pursuits.

For those who love the outdoors, there are two expansive decks, with each floor offering an outdoor space that extends naturally from the home. These are complemented by terraced plantings designed by Fealy, whose layered greenery frames the house “with harmony and quiet drama,” according to the listing.

“The actual house and residence is on 0.45 acres,” Weintz explains, “and the other lot, the adjoining tax lot that the family has and has always had, is 0.19 acres. It just offers flexibility.

“If someone ever wanted to sell that lot, they could, or just keep it like the family has. You can add on to the home if you want. The land is there, which is rare in the West Hills.”

Its location is equally striking, Weintz says: “It’s seven minutes from downtown, and yet you still feel like you’re in the country. You’re in walking proximity to three parks, the closest is Council Crest, and there are 30 to 50 miles of hiking trails.”

After more than 50 years in the same family, the Carousel House stands as both a time capsule and a timeless piece of architecture, an emblem of Portland’s midcentury modern heritage waiting for its next chapter.