St. Helens Court (Portland State University)

St. Helens Court is a five-story student residence hall at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, United States. The building contains 36 studios and 15 one-bedroom units.^[1]

St. Helens Court
St. Helens Court in 2014
Location within downtown Portland
Former names	Saint Helens Court
General information
Type	Residence hall
Architectural style	Mediterranean Revival
Address	1131 SW Montgomery St.
Town or city	Portland, Oregon
Coordinates	45.5136°N 122.6845°W / 45.5136; -122.6845
Completed	June 25, 1927
Cost	$300,000
Landlord	Portland State University
Technical details
Floor count	5

History

St. Helens Court was constructed in 1927 by real estate developer Harry Mittleman as a luxury apartment building. The steel reinforced concrete design was faced with red veneer brick and Mediterranean Revival decorations, suggesting Spanish influence. The 50 apartments, each with two or three rooms, were furnished with "warm, well-appointed" Spanish-style items and a radio, electric refrigeration, and electric ranges.^[2]

The owner considered his wife, Helen, to be a saint. For that reason, the building was named Saint Helen's Court and later St. Helens Court.^[3]

Portland State University acquired the property in 1969.