Six months after the Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop’s Close estate in Portland’s upscale Dunthorpe suburb was put up for sale and a contract to purchase it was signed, the likely new owner remains a mystery.
Until the transaction for the nine-acre property overlooking the Willamette River is completed, which is expected to be around May 31, the seller — the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon — and listing brokers Kevin Hall and Kathy Hall remain silent during escrow in accordance with real estate protocol.
Despite rumors, however, the new owner will not be a developer who wants to carve up the oldest private estate garden in the Pacific Northwest and restrict public access, but one of two local families: The descendants of the 133-year-old gardens’ creator, Peter Kerr, who can exercise their “right of first offer” agreement to purchase the estate, or the McNulty family, who offered the full asking price of $4.5 million to buy the property at 11800 S. Military Lane from the diocese if the Kerr descendants do not.
Jonathan McNulty, whose family lives near Elk Rock Gardens and visits the historic, English-style landscape often, said, “If the Kerr descendants want to buy the property and keep the garden open to visitors, we support that. Our intention was to step up because we didn’t want to see this treasure destroyed. Anything that gets us to a place where we can keep the gardens intact with visitor access is a win.”
He said his family has close ties to the neighborhood. His wife grew up in the area, and the couple are raising their children in their nearby family home. His parents, who signed the contract to purchase Elk Rock, see it as a way to do what is right by the community, and live close to their children and grandchildren, he said.
If they prevail, the McNulty family intends to restore the Kerr manor from diocese offices to a private home, prevent the property from being split into additional lots, and work with neighbors to keep access available to the public in a manner that respects the neighborhood. “You don’t want to increase traffic,” Jonathan McNulty said.
The Kerr descendants and their representatives have not yet made a public statement. A notice at the gardens’ visitor center, however, offered hope to Elk Rock supporters like historian and gardener Eileen Fitzsimons of Southeast Portland. The flier reads: “It is the Kerr Family’s intent to re-gift this beautiful garden to an organization that will be wonderful stewards of the property. It will remain open to the public.”
Bishop’s Close and its Elk Rock Garden are for sale at $4.5 million by Kathy Hall and Kevin Hall of Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty.Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty
This is the first time the Elk Rock land has been for sale since the 1890s, when grain exporter Peter Kerr moved to the remote spot and transformed fields of poison oak into a picturesque landscape with a magnolia walk, viewpoint of Mount Hood and paths that reach the point overlooking the river.
Two years after Peter Kerr’s death in 1957, his widow, Laurie King Kerr, and their two daughters, Anne McDonald and Jane Platt, donated the property along with an endowment for the gardens’ upkeep to the Episcopal Bishop of Oregon. The gift came with the stipulation that the public could visit the grounds.
For decades, Elk Rock Gardens was under the care of a head gardener with help from volunteers and the nonprofit Friends of Elk Rock Garden was established to protect, preserve and perpetuate the landscape.
In 1994, the then bishop entered into an agreement with Peter Kerr’s descendants to have the first opportunity to purchase the property. They have six months to exercise their right.
The estate was listed for sale on Nov. 17, 2022, at $4.5 million. The real estate description said the “unequalled parcel” can be “developed” or the main residence can be restored “to its original splendor” or the new owner can “create your custom vision.”
The diocese received offers for more than the asking price from developers, but, a church representative confirmed, the McNulty family’s offer at full asking price with no contingencies was accepted on Nov. 30.
“The diocese was meticulous in choosing a buyer that would respect the wishes of the gift they received 64 years ago and the desires of the neighborhood they have been a part of these many years, which includes continuing to enjoy … Elk Rock,” Jonathan McNulty said.
The gated property is composed of four residential tax lots, zoned for a primary dwelling allowed on each 20,000-square-foot area within the nine-acre parcel. Even with environmental overlays and setback restrictions, developers could construct up to 18 new homes, which McNulty said would “lead to the closure and destruction of the gardens.”
In 2018, Portland arts patron and philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer made an offer to buy the property, but the transaction was never completed as expected in 2020.
After the Elk Rock property is sold, the diocese plans to relocate to a meeting space accessible by public transportation and with ample parking, according to the diocese’ statement.
McNulty said if his family is the new owner, they will grant the church as much time as needed to move.
Elk Rock Gardens at the Bishop’s Close remains open to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Friday (closed Dec. 24–Jan 2). It is free to park and see the garden; donations are accepted. Dogs, picnicking and lawn games are not permitted and the upper parking lot cannot accommodate buses, RVs and other large vehicles. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult. Contact Rachel Holbrook (rholbrook78@gmail.com) to arrange a visit for groups of 10 or more people.
— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
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More real estate news
• Could this be the last spring to see Oregon’s storied Elk Rock Gardens?
• Sale pending on Bishop’s Close Garden at Elk Rock; can you still visit?
• Bishop’s Close and its Elk Rock Garden for sale at $4.5 million
