Perched at the highest level of Carbon Twelve, a landmark in Portland’s evolution of mass-timber construction, a rare penthouse offers a glimpse into a housing model that pushed the limits of U.S. building codes and helped reshape how cities think about sustainable high-rise living.
Completed in 2018, Carbon Twelve was recognized at the time as the tallest mass-timber building in the United States. Rising eight stories in Portland’s vibrant Williams Corridor, the boutique condominium was constructed with a glulam post-and-beam frame and cross-laminated timber floors and ceilings, a pioneering approach that offered a lower-carbon alternative to traditional concrete and steel construction.
For Ginger Burke and Tami Pelo, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty advisors representing the listing, the building’s significance extends far beyond just the engineering.
Carbon Twelve also signaled a shift in how urban housing could be designed and experienced. Rather than prioritizing scale and density, the project emphasized privacy, livability, and a more human-centered approach to city living. The result was a limited collection of residences with thoughtful separation between units and features typically associated with single-family homes, all within a walkable urban setting.
“It represents a moment when Portland’s design culture, sustainability values, and appetite for innovation converged”, Burke said.
Pelo points to the layered benefits of cross-laminated timber, from thermal performance and seismic resilience to natural fire resistance. The exposed wood is not simply an aesthetic choice. While it gives the penthouse warmth and architectural character, it also serves as a visible reminder of the building’s innovative construction.
Inside Unit 801, that character is immediate.
The elevator opens directly into the residence, creating the feeling of a private home rather than a traditional condominium. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of the Fremont Bridge, the West Hills, and the Portland skyline, while exposed timbers and soaring ceilings bring warmth to the clean contemporary interiors.
The two-bedroom, two-bath penthouse spans 1,612 square feet and includes a flexible area that can function as a third bedroom, private office, or creative studio. A gourmet kitchen with an oversized island, walnut detailing, quartz countertops, and premium stainless-steel appliances—including a state-of-the-art induction cooktop—anchors the main living space. Just beyond, a covered patio with southern exposure offers an inviting space for year-round entertaining and relaxation.
But the defining experience may be above it all: a private rooftop deck complete with a stainless prep sink, natural gas hookup, and panoramic views of four iconic Northwest peaks.
“If someone could experience just one thing, it would be twilight on the private rooftop deck,” Burke said.
From there, the city feels close but not crowded.
Below, the best of Northeast Portland is just steps away, from New Seasons Market across the street to some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, cafés, and neighborhood destinations. JinJu Patisserie, named America’s Outstanding Bakery at the 2025 James Beard Awards, is also expected to return in the building’s ground-floor retail space.
This combination of privacy and proximity is part of what makes Carbon Twelve so distinctive.
With just 14 residences and no shared walls between units, the building feels more like a collection of private homes. Additional amenities include direct elevator access, EV charging stations, a dog-wash facility, and an automated underground valet parking system.
Perhaps the most unexpected amenity is the building’s German-engineered parking system, among the first of its kind installed in the United States. Residents simply pull into the garage, exit the vehicle, and allow the automated system to store it underground. When requested, the vehicle is retrieved and returned facing forward, eliminating the need to navigate a traditional parking structure.
“It’s efficient and secure,” Pelo said. “Your car comes up to you.”
For Burke and Pelo, the penthouse appeals to a wide range of buyers: those drawn to modern design, sustainability, and a walkable urban lifestyle, as well as downsizers seeking convenience without sacrificing privacy, views, or the comforts of a luxury single-family home.
“We’ve had significant interest from people moving out of larger homes,” Burke said. “They still want privacy, but they want the ease of leaving town and knowing their home is secure.” That sense of security, paired with abundant natural light from nearly every angle, gives the home a feeling of calm above the city.
In a market where luxury is often defined by size or excess, Carbon Twelve offers something more nuanced: thoughtful design, architectural innovation, and a strong connection to place.
It is a penthouse built not only to overlook Portland, but to reflect it.
Discover more of 12 NE Fremont St #801, Portland, Oregon
Connect:
Ginger Burke, Managing Principal Broker at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty
ginger.burke@cascadehasson.com
Tami Pelo, Real Estate Advisor at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty
tami.pelo@cascadehasson.com