Norton House was constructed in 1875 and features beautiful Italianate architecture. The two-story building originally housed retail storefronts, offices and a basket factory, as well as first class lodging where President Ulysses S. Grant once stayed. The building was extensively remodeled in the 1970s and again in 2017. Today it boasts ground floor retail and second story creative office space. Old Town rediscovered: Tenants are flocking to this historic downtown Portland neighborhood for more than just great architecture and proximity to the waterfront.