Few Portland neighborhoods are as instantly recognizable as Ladd’s Addition. With its diagonal street pattern radiating from a central circle, this historic enclave stands apart from the grid-like layout of surrounding neighborhoods. Despite its central location, Ladd’s Addition remains surprisingly quiet, as its winding streets discourage through traffic. That makes it an attractive choice for buyers seeking a residential setting close to the energy of inner Southeast Portland.
As one of Portland’s oldest platted residential neighborhoods, Ladd’s Addition is filled with history. William S. Ladd, a Portland merchant and two-term mayor first elected in 1854, platted his 126-acre farm in 1891, drawing on Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan for Washington, D.C. The neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets, well-preserved homes, and four diamond-shaped community rose gardens set on the points of the compass, with a central garden at Ladd Circle. The Ladd’s Addition Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 1988 (NRHP reference 88001310).
Architecturally, homes in Ladd’s Addition range from Arts and Crafts, bungalows, and Old Portland-style houses to a handful of mid-century ranches. The neighborhood is served by Abernethy Elementary, Hosford International Middle School, and Cleveland High School. Verify attendance boundaries by address with the district directly.
Located just east of Ladd’s Addition, Colonial Heights offers similar historic character without the winding streets. Homes here were primarily built between the 1920s and 1950s, showcasing a mix of Tudor, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival styles. Many homes in Colonial Heights offer views of downtown Portland.
The neighborhood enjoys easy access to SE Hawthorne, SE Division, and SE 20th Avenue, placing residents a short distance from dining, shopping, and entertainment on Hawthorne and Division.
Situated around SE Clinton and SE 26th, the Clinton neighborhood has an active mix of older bungalows, fixers, and newer infill homes, creating a varied streetscape. Restaurants, boutiques and creative spaces have opened along Clinton in recent years alongside long-established fixtures like the Clinton Street Theater.
About this data. Market statistics on this page are compiled from sold and active residential listings reported to Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) over the trailing 12 months. Refreshed twice daily; last refresh Oct 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed; statistics reflect listing activity reported to RMLS and may not include private, off-market, or new construction sales. © RMLS. Equal Housing Opportunity. Presented by Lovejoy Real Estate.
The market block above reflects RMLS activity inside the strict Ladd’s Addition polygon over the trailing 12 months. Because Ladd’s is tightly held and turns over quietly, sample counts on this polygon are small; that is a feature of the neighborhood, not a reporting artifact. Broader single-family turnover for the page’s editorial coverage of Clinton and Colonial Heights falls outside the strict Ladd’s polygon and is not represented in the numbers above. If you are shopping any of the three, expect thin inventory and be prepared to act on the rare well-suited listing.
Ladd’s Addition is one of Portland’s most-loved residential streets and one of its lowest-turnover neighborhoods; expect to wait for the right house rather than choose from a menu. Colonial Heights offers similar era stock with easier access to Hawthorne. Clinton is the more active mixed-use street with more infill and more everyday commerce.
Residents of Ladd’s Addition, Colonial Heights, and Clinton enjoy access to some of Portland’s most beloved restaurants, cafés, and entertainment venues.
While primarily residential, Ladd’s Addition is home to one well-loved neighborhood café, Palio Dessert & Espresso. Located at the heart of the neighborhood, this European-inspired café offers a place to linger over coffee and pastries. Beyond Ladd’s Addition, residents are close to the Hawthorne and Division corridors, home to a wide variety of dining and shopping destinations.
Colonial Heights benefits from close proximity to Hawthorne and Division. Along these corridors, you’ll find bakeries and boutiques.
For coffee, Good Coffee serves espresso in a minimalist setting, while Tov Coffee & Tea, housed in a converted double-decker bus, offers Egyptian-inspired drinks. Nearby, Harlow provides organic meals.
The Clinton neighborhood has a growing food and entertainment scene. Broder is a Swedish-inspired eatery known for Scandinavian brunch dishes. The historic Clinton Street Theater shows indie films, cult classics, and community events. Cocktail bars and casual pubs have joined the strip over the last decade.
Inner Southeast Portland is one of the city’s most transit-served areas. Bus routes run frequently along Burnside, Hawthorne, Division, Powell, and Milwaukie Avenue, connecting to downtown and beyond. Ladd’s Addition has a bus line that runs directly through its central circle.
For those who drive, downtown Portland is a 5-10 minute trip, depending on starting point and time of day. Portland International Airport is approximately a 20-25 minute drive.
With its distinctive street design, historic homes, and access to Hawthorne and Division, Ladd’s Addition, Colonial Heights and Clinton form a trio of inner Southeast neighborhoods with strong architectural identity.