On April 14th, 2017, I purchased the craftsman house built in 1927 located at 4625 NE 60th Ave in Portland, Oregon. New keys in hand, it was destined to become the vibrant community hub it is today, known as Basecamp.
But that’s not how it started. For the first phase of Basecamp’s journey, I transformed five rooms into short-term rentals, turning the house into a lively Airbnb hostel.
Main Basecamp House
Here a playlist of fun videos documenting the adventure 👇
The Hempcrete Tinyhouse
This was my first major building project. Big thanks to Scott Sutton and Nicollette Codding who took me under their experienced wings to tackle this project together.
The Sandcastle
Hungry for more building, I transformed an old shed on the property into this cozy abode (during Covid with a broken arm).
The Den
Next up, we transformed the dungeon of a basement into a stunning self-contained dwelling space.
Gym & Spa
AKA, Basecamp’s healthcare.
Travelers ate it up
The Airbnb hostel thrived, filled with grateful travelers from all corners of the globe.
Eventually, the entire house was rented out as a single short-term rental and managed by my friend Wendy, which freed me up to travel the world.
Everything was going smoothly … until it wasn’t.
One evening, a particularly exuberant group of guests decided to throw an unforgettable party. The kind of party that catches the attention of neighbors, especially one in particular who was a real estate agent. Before long, the city was involved, and it turned out that Basecamp didn’t have the necessary short-term rental permit. Who knew? Certainly not me. A $2,000 fine later, I was on the next flight back from Costa Rica.
Determined to find the right fit for Basecamp, I listed the rooms on Craigslist to find the first official housemates. Enter Bradley and Maylene Buckendorf, fresh from their Bali escapades; Kade Severson, Aiti, and Jeff Cieslinski, Louisiana lads eager to make their mark in the cannabis industry. Along with brother Ben, our eclectic group quickly turned Basecamp into more than just a house—it became a home.
Community Blossomed
With more of a long-term community at Basecamp, people were able to bring more of their gifts, curiosities, and creativity forward.
As the years rolled on, many magical beings graced the halls of Basecamp, including Scott Sutton, Lara Catone, Nicholette Codding, Bailey Roo, Sarah Joy, Taylor Farrell, Kae Erickson, Bobby Hunter, Mary and Rayden Shelton, Erik Monson, Mary and Magnus, Susana Gimora, Ashley Keough, Juniper Klatt, Hanna Davis, David Oehler, Daniel McNicholas, Jacob Wilson, Jamie Sayegh, David Kishbaum, Hillary Mendoza, IO, Katharyn Gantka, Rebecca Webb, Chris Orcutt, Illana Young, Pauline Dorsey, Jadie Freitag, Alisha Studart, Jess Everett, and many more to come…
Gather Around
Portland is known for its epic food scene. So a Portland potluck is absurdly salivating and continues to be part of the glue that keeps the Basecamp fam (and extended fam) so connected.
Workshops & Performances
Our spacious backyard has been a welcoming venue for homies to engage in our ecstatic practices together.
Celebrations & Ceremonies
Whether it’s a birthday, a new housemate, or a holiday … Basecamp is blessed to continue hosting unforgettable life-changing experiences.
Eight years later
With countless stories, lessons, golden memories, tears of laugher, tears of grief, and a few wild nights under its belt, Basecamp stands strong.
I’m beyond blessed with this project and I’m excited to see how Basecamp (and it’s inhabitants) continues to evolve.
What’s next?
As I continue to love up on Basecamp, I’m excited to find the next plot of land to continue creating more beautiful community spaces to invite life-changing experiences.