About a year ago, TK Marks and Libby Trobitz took an exciting step: They bought their first home, right here in Beaumont-Wilshire.
The couple met in the Bay Area 11 years ago and made their move to Portland shortly after. They took a year-long detour living in Seattle during the pandemic but were drawn back to Portland when Libby was offered a position at Nike as an operations project manager in brand marketing.
Former self-proclaimed “serial renters,” TK and Libby were living in Irvington before putting down roots in B-W. They were attracted to the neighborhood because of its walkability to Wilshire Park and their favorite spots along Fremont Street: matcha at Prince Coffee, real fruit New Zealand-style vegan ice cream at Beaux Berry, and an occasional fix for Libby’s guilty pleasure — shopping at Adorn and Pacific Holiday Consignment.
One of the top priorities during their home search was finding a backyard big enough to build a chicken coop for their rescue chickens. The hens were found roaming the streets in Irvington and after no one claimed them, Libby and TK adopted the rebellious pair, aptly naming them Thelma & Louise!
“We love our block; our neighbors are all really nice!” Libby said, recalling how they were invited to a block party their first week on NE 36th Avenue. Their sassy 19-year-old cat, Cleo, also approves of the new home, splitting her time between long indoor naps and sunny afternoons on the back deck.
TK works in data science at Columbia Sportswear. Outside of work, the couple enjoys biking, gardening, hiking in the Gorge, and playing softball. They’re currently planning a basement renovation and are looking forward to the BWNA Skidmore Block Party on September 12.
Jamie Gardner is a Portland native and Windermere agent putting her UO journalism degree to use here – finally! She’s lived in Beaumont-Wilshire since 2020 with her husband and two dogs. When she’s not with clients or touring homes, Jamie loves to travel, tackle house projects, and enjoy the local food scene.