Perched high on the hillside in Manzanita, 355 University Ave was proof that a modest footprint can deliver an extraordinary sense of place.
With front-row views toward Neahkahnie Mountain, a Scandinavian-influenced interior, carefully placed windows, and architecture full of changing ceiling heights and angles, this 1,088-square-foot retreat felt much larger than the numbers suggested.
Listed by Shelley Parker of Home + Sea Realty, the home paired classic Oregon Coast cabin character with thoughtful updates and a setting that kept the surrounding landscape constantly in view.
Built in 1996, the two-story cabin and loft design used volume, light, and craftsmanship exceptionally well. Vaulted ceilings and strategically positioned windows framed Neahkahnie Mountain and the surrounding trees, while the changing angles of the interior gave each space its own character.
On cool coastal days, the wood-burning stove became the natural center of the home. It was exactly the kind of feature that belongs in a Manzanita cabin: warm, practical, and especially inviting when the mountain disappears into mist and the weather turns outside.
The updated kitchen brought a modern counterpoint to the cabin aesthetic, with quartz countertops, soft-close cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, a free-standing range and refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.
Interior features included quartz finishes, vaulted ceilings, ceiling fan, easy-care vinyl flooring, wall-to-wall carpet, washer and dryer, and double-pane windows.
The loft added another layer to the home’s flexibility and architectural appeal, making clever use of the vertical space without compromising the open feeling below.
Outdoor living was equally important. A covered front deck allowed the view and fresh air to be enjoyed even when the weather turned, while a second deck at the back extended daily life outdoors in another direction.
Two substantial and unusually charming sheds added room for tools, hobbies, beach equipment, creative projects, or storage — practical spaces that made the compact home work even better.
The property sat on a 6,098-square-foot lot with both level and sloped areas, wooded and mountain views, driveway parking, public water and sewer, and the ocean beach within a quarter mile.
It was a wonderfully distilled version of coastal living: a beautiful little house, an exceptional mountain view, just enough space, and the beach close by.
355 University Ave sold on November 3, 2026, for $727,000, above its $684,000 list price.
Property Highlights
Address: 355 University Ave, Manzanita, Oregon
Neighborhood: Manzanita
Status: Sold
Sold Date: November 3, 2026
Sold Price: $727,000
List Price: $684,000
Result: Sold above list price
MLS: 245844463
Property Type: Single-Family Residential
Architecture: Cabin, Loft
Year Built: 1996
Bathrooms: 1 full bath
Living Area: 1,088 sq. ft.
Lot Size: 6,098 sq. ft.
Stories: 2
Views: Neahkahnie Mountain, trees and woods
Parking: Driveway
Interior Features: Ceiling fan, quartz, vaulted ceiling, vinyl flooring, wall-to-wall carpet, washer/dryer
Kitchen Features: Quartz countertops, soft-close cabinetry, dishwasher, free-standing range, free-standing refrigerator, microwave, stainless steel appliances
Fireplace: Wood-burning stove
Windows: Double-pane windows, vinyl frames
Outdoor Features: Covered front deck, rear deck, two outbuildings/tool sheds, yard
Lot Features: Level and sloped, ocean beach one quarter mile or less
Heating: Wall heater, wood stove
Cooling: None
Water Source: Public water
Sewer: Public sewer
Roof: Composition and metal
Foundation: Concrete perimeter
Garage: None
HOA: None
Zoning: MH-1
Annual Taxes: $3,994
Schools: Nehalem Elementary, Neah-Kah-Nie Middle School, Neah-Kah-Nie High School
Listed By: Shelley Parker, Home + Sea Realty
Listing Link:
View the 355 University Ave property page
https://homeandsea.com/properties/355-university-ave-manzanita-or-97130
Small Footprint, Big Architecture
What made 355 University Ave so memorable was how much experience had been packed into 1,088 square feet.
This was not a small house trying to imitate a large one. The architecture embraced its scale.
Vaulted ceilings created volume where it mattered. Windows were positioned to frame the landscape instead of simply filling walls. The loft made use of vertical space. Varied ceiling heights and angles created visual interest. And the decks allowed the living experience to expand naturally outdoors.
Then there was the view.
Neahkahnie Mountain is not simply scenery in this part of Manzanita. It changes constantly — clear and sharply defined one moment, disappearing into cloud and mist the next. From this hillside perch, the mountain became part of the house.
The wood stove, warm finishes, updated kitchen, and Scandinavian simplicity made the interior feel exactly right for the setting.
And that may be the best lesson from this property: a beautiful coastal home does not have to be enormous. It has to be thoughtful.
355 University Ave was thoughtful from nearly every angle.
Thinking About Selling a Distinctive Manzanita Home?
Architecturally interesting homes, cabins, and smaller coastal properties benefit from marketing that explains why the space works rather than simply reporting its square footage.
Light, proportions, views, craftsmanship, outdoor living, landscape, and the emotional experience of the home can matter enormously to the right buyer.
See the closing price, photos, video, and 3-D walkthrough while they are still available, or contact Home + Sea Realty for experienced guidance on buying or selling a distinctive Manzanita home or North Oregon Coast property.
