SQFT Studios

1018 Southeast 8th Avenue, 97214, Portland, OR
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https://www.sqftstudios.com/ info@sqftstudios.com
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SQFT Studios, founded in 2015 by Architect Eli Green, is a Portland-based ADU builder specializing in detached ADUs, garage conversions, backyard cottages, and guest suites, with 10+ years of experience.

SQFT Studios, Portland, OR

About SQFT Studios

About SQFT Studios

Founded in 2015 by Architect Eli Green, SQFT Studios is a Portland-based firm specializing in the design and construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Over the past decade, the team has built a track record of delivering thoughtful, sustainable ADU solutions tailored to the specific needs of each homeowner and property.

With more than 10 years of experience and over 40,000 square feet of usable space added across their projects, SQFT Studios has become a recognized name in Portland's ADU landscape. Their work spans a wide range of project types, from compact backyard studios to multi-bedroom detached units.

ADU Design and Construction Services

SQFT Studios approaches each project with a focus on functionality, sustainability, and design quality. As an accessory dwelling unit builder, they work with homeowners to create spaces that fit both their lifestyle and their property. Their portfolio includes a variety of ADU types, such as:

  1. Detached ADUs, including one- and two-bedroom units with lofts
  2. Backyard studios and home offices
  3. Guest suites and short-term rental spaces
  4. Garage conversions
  5. Custom backyard cottages

As a detached ADU builder and garage conversion contractor, SQFT Studios handles projects that transform underused outdoor or existing spaces into functional living areas. Their work in the Sellwood, Hawthorne, Laurelhurst, and Northeast Portland neighborhoods reflects the range of contexts they operate in across the city.

The firm also offers a model ADU called The 288, which prospective clients can take a virtual tour of. This model is designed to demonstrate how a compact footprint can still deliver flexible, livable space.

A Focus on Portland's Housing Needs

SQFT Studios positions their work within the broader context of Portland's housing diversity. By helping homeowners add backyard cottages, in-law suites, and other secondary units to their properties, the firm contributes to increasing the availability of housing options in established neighborhoods.

Each project is approached individually. Eli Green and his team work closely with clients throughout the design and build process, from initial planning through construction. Their stated priorities include meeting client needs, maintaining quality standards, and incorporating sustainable building practices where possible.

For homeowners in Portland considering an ADU — whether a granny flat, a detached studio, a guest suite, or a garage conversion — SQFT Studios offers design-led construction services backed by a decade of local project experience.

Services

SQFT Studios performs the following services

  • Architecture & Design
  • Construction

SQFT Studios Reviews

Danny Wedding

2026-01-23
"We had SQFT Studios design and build an ADU for my mother-in-law who happily lived there until she died last May. Eli Green and his team did a terrific job, and we were very pleased with the final product. We currently are making the unit freely available to an immigrant couple from Serbia who are transitioning to a new life as US citizens. We also like that the unit can be used by relatives and friends when they visit. We couldn't be more pleased."

Bernie Simpson

2025-11-08
"Eli and his crew changed my daughters dilapidated, one car garage into a light and lovely home for me. They gave me what I wanted and are easy to work with. Plus they are great people."

Lucy Corbett

2025-11-05
"We had a great experience working with SQFT on our backyard detached ADU. Eli and his team are very knowledgeable about the design and construction process. Eli was very thorough and thoughtful in the design process, making lots of suggestions but also always taking our requests seriously and finding creative ways to solve problems within limited real estate. On the construction side, SQFT has good subcontractor relationships and high construction standards. As with any full-scale new build, there are always hiccups along the way but Eli and his team were receptive to our feedback and followed through on everything. We would recommend SQFT for anyone looking for a design-build company with a specialty in ADUs and other efficient structures."

Mike Machinski

2025-09-17
"The SQFT Studios team did a fantastic job on our project. They came into the project with some really good ideas but listened to our needs before finalizing the plan. The construction team was excellent! Having a construction site in one's backyard can be stressful but the SQFT team did a great job of staying organized and keeping our backyard and our basement clean. We were especially pleased with the PMLead Carpenter Marc who always kept us apprised of daily and weekly activities and never failed to promptly respond to a texted question, even late on a Saturday night. Thank you, Marc, and thank you SQFT team!"

David DK

2025-08-29
"Sq Ft had my wife's review removed, so now I am reposting it. TL;DR - SqFt overpromises and then blames the customer when they underdeliver. We worked with SqFt 2 yrs ago to build a detached bedroom. Things started well, until the actual work began. It became a terrible year dealing with them. Here are some issues we had: 1 They did not stick to the original timeline, nor subsequent timelines. There were months during the contract period where no one showed up to work. We had to complain repeatedly to get anyone to show up to work. When we put money down with them to start the process, they said they could build it by end of 2022. Actual completion: November 2023. When we continued to complain about people not working Eli blamed it on my partner and said that the subcontractors didn't want to work on our project. We had plenty of normal, respectful interactions with all the subs so it was a weird gaslight. A Sq Ft subcontractor told us the business used to be run well until Eli took over as sole owner; then they took on too many projects, leading to delays and subs not getting paid on time. 2 They continually argued with us over what was in the contract. And were completely allergic to any accountability whatsoever. E.g., they told us they would pay for a doubleseparate meter installation and then said they hadn't. We had to eventually show them the email where they said they would. The electrician modified the main house electrical panel without our approval, instead of doing the separate panel and metering as was agreed to. We had to get a structure torn down and they told us it'd be "no problem" to remove the debris. And then later told us actually they wouldn't, after we had already taken it down and were left with a huge pile of debris. They wanted to charge us extra for extra wood needed for our window jambs when they had known about them all along and included it in the bid. A subcontractor broke our hose. When I said that, they said no one used our hose. I saw subcontractors use our hose throughout the life of the project. It isn't nice when you feel the need to start filming the people who work in your backyard in case something happens. 3 A project manager who was incompetent. PM acted as if he was doing us a favor by working on our project, and did not listen to me a woman. When I complained about the misogyny, Eli didn't respond. I came to trust nothing he said. We literally got an email from PM saying "the living room lighting fixture has damaged itself and needs to be replaced", wanting us to pay for it. They eventually paid for the replacement of course didn't "damage itself" but got melted cause they put the wrong type of bulb in it. 4 They forgot to lay the electrical line! How?! They forgot to lay it under a concrete path where it was supposed to be, so then dug a new trench without our approval. This new line meant that I could no longer plant in the ground on one side of the building. As a bonus, the concrete path had a crack in it months before the project was finished. They said they would fix it, but that turned out to mean applying some filler that cracked immediately, a non-fix. 5 They would not order something in time and then create a situation where we had to choose between what we thought they'd already ordered and getting the building done. For example, 6 months after we'd agreed on a type of siding they said the manufacturer didn't have it anymore--it'd be a 2 month delay to get it. 6 They don't know what they're doing...after move in we immediately had humidity issues, to the point where we have to run a dehumidifier in the house full-time not something we've ever had do before. Also we wanted double drywall for extra sound insulation, but then found out the goop between the layers compresses when mounting anything to to the wall, causing drywall screw heads to bulge out. They should have told us about that before we agreed to it. The positive in dealing with them was Brett, who is a class act and great to work with. 5 stars for Brett, zero stars for SQFT"
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Specifics

Eco-Friendly

Opening hours

Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday -
Sunday -

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