The latest architectural gem to join Oregon's roster in the National Register of Historic Places is Portland's Burkes-Belluschi House, a notable work by the master architect Pietro Belluschi. Following a recommendation by the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation last October, the National Park Service officially listed the building on February 7, for its architectural significance. Nestled in the lush Westover Terrace subdivision of northwest Portland, this dwelling is a unique testament to Belluschi's prowess in melding the modernist International Style with the distinctive Northwest Regional Style.

Conceived in 1944 for Dr. D. C. Burkes and his spouse, construction of the house, Genevieve, was not completed until 1948, delayed by the scarcities of wartime. Belluschi, instrumental in developing the Northwest Regional Style, paid acute attention to the home's placement, ensuring its design and materials harmonized with the locale. Featuring sprawling views of the city, the Burkes-Belluschi House stands out with a flat roof and deep eaves, ribbon windows, woven wood ceilings, and fireplaces crafted from Mt. Adams stone. As noted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the structure showcases a rare integration of two architectural styles that Belluschi favored.

After graduating as dean of M.I.T.'s School of Architecture and Planning in 1965, Pietro Belluschi and his wife, Marjorie, occupied the house after its original occupants left, etching their legacy into the famous abode. Following Belluschi's death in 1994 and Marjorie's in 2009, the property passed to Anthony and Martha (Marti) Belluschi. They enlisted Diana Painter of Painter Preservation to champion the house's nomination to the National Register. With this accomplishment, the Burkes-Belluschi House joins eight other Belluschi designs in Oregon to receive this esteemed recognition, six of which grace Portland.