Weekly Roundup: Álmr Apartments, Live Nation at Zidell Yards, Glass Lab, and more

The proposed Live Nation at Zidell Yards music venue went in front of the Design Commission for an initial meeting last week.

Plans for the 10,000 seat Live Nation at Zidell Yards music venue are moving forward, according to the Oregonian.

Work to convert the former Vivian Apartments into the KEX Portland Hostel nearing completion*, writes the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The Oregonian wrote about developer C.E. John’s plans to construct a five story apartment building at 1137 NW 23rd Ave—a change in plans from an earlier proposal to renovate and expand the existing buildings on the site.

The Business Tribune wrote about how Glass Lab is offering a hip hub for start-ups. The building is named for the glass foundry formerly located into the recently renovated structure.

The Portland Business Journal wrote about the winners of this year’s DeMuro Awards, given by Restore Oregon for excellence in preservation, reuse, and community revitalization. Projects honored in Portland included the Álmr Apartments at NW 21st and Irving; the AltSource Headquarters at 1120 SE Madison St; the Redd on Salmon St; and the Woodlark Hotel.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Weekly Roundup: Adidas Campus Expansion, Hallock-McMillan, Wells Fargo Center, and more

Adidas Campus Village
The Adidas Campus Expansion will include the construction of a cycle track on N Greeley between N Going St and N Willamette Blvd.

Adidas will construct a cycle track on N Greeley Ave, reports Bike Portland. Construction is expected to cost $1.26 million. Adidas will receive a a $1 million credit towards the System Development Charges owed against the permits for the Adidas Campus Expansion.

The Oregonian wrote about Gordon Sondland, the Portland hotelier and Ambassador to the European Union, who is now linked the Ukraine scandal. Sondland’s company Provenance Hotels is the owner of a number of Portland hotels, including The Woodlark.

Portland Architecture spoke to Hallock-McMillan Building owner John Russell, and architect Brian Emerick, about the process of restoring Portland’s oldest commercial building

The Oregonian looked at whether Portland State University could co-locate its football team at the rebuilt Lincoln High School. Adding an 8,000 seat stadium to the relocated field would be possible—if the university’s athletic department can find the $65 million required.

The 47-year old landmark Wells Fargo Center and Exchange Building are in the middle of a extensive renovation. The Daily Journal of Commerce published photos of the progress on site.

The Portland Mercury looked at the whether the Portland Diamond Project can succeed where others have failed and bring Major League Baseball to Portland.

The Business Tribune wrote about how two nearby projects, the Redfox Commons and the renovation of the Fairmount Apartments, have made a historic Northwest Portland intersection come alive again.

Weekly Roundup: 230 Ash, Everett House, Historic Hotels, and more

SW 3rd & Ash
230 Ash is currently under construction in Old Town, and will include 133 residential units over ground floor retail.

The Daily Journal of Commerce wrote about an “exciting time” for 230 Ash, the first of the Goodman family’s ‘Ankeny Blocks’* to be developed. The project is currently being framed, and is expected to be complete in October.

The Willamette Week wrote about a “beloved urban hot tub oasis” that is now under threat, now that the parking spaces it leased at 2821 NE Everett St is being redeveloped into a 118-unit apartment building.

Mayor Wheeler supports Speaker Kotek’s proposal to end the ban on duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in Oregon cities of over 10,000 people, writes the Willamette Week. He also offered “measured support” for the tenant protections and rent control bill proposed.

The Business Tribune wrote about the Hoxton Hotel and Woodlark Hotelfind authenticity and ambiance in historic architecture“.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Focus: The 25 Most Popular Posts of 2018

Block 216

The 35-story Block 216 tower was approved in December. Our post about the project’s Design Advice Request was our most popular post of the year.

Happy New Year.

2018 is the fourth full year Next Portland has been in operation and I’m excited to see what 2019 brings. I’m currently on vacation in Scotland, so new posts will continue to be sporadic until I return next week.

Last year was another busy year for the site. Of the course of the year 141 new posts were published, with nearly 900,000 page views.

The year started with the last of the pre-inclusionary zoning (IZ) projects working their way through the design review process. In February it was reported by the Portland Mercury that Portland’s inclusionary zoning mandate was getting lackluster results, with only 12 qualifying building in the pipeline.

By the end of the year Next Portland had posted about a number of large post-IZ developments that have been approved through design review. These include 815 W Burnside, 1715 SW Salmon, Nomad, the ART Tower Block 216, 1935 N Killingsworth and the Pepsi Blocks. The Portland Housing Bureau now estimates that there are 43 projects subject to inclusionary zoning in the pipeline, with 362 affordable units in projects that have permits or are close to permitting.

Despite the uptick in post-IZ proposals, new design review and building permit applications remain down relative to years ago. At the end of the year the Bureau of Development Services was forced to lay off staff for the first time since the recession, citing “quite sobering” forecasts.

Similarly to 2017, many of the most popular posts were published in previous years, a reflection of the fact that the content Next Portland remains relevant for a long time, as buildings move through construction and into occupancy. One post in the top 25 most popular posts was from 2015; seven posts were from 2016; six posts were from 2017; and eleven were published in 2018.

In reverse order, here are our 25 most popular posts of the year:

Read More

Weekly Roundup: Block 216, The Woodlark, 21 Astor, and more

Block 216

The 35-story Block 216 tower will rise to a height of 460′ and include retail, office space, hotel rooms and residential condominiums.

The Design Commission last week approvedBlock 216writes the DJC. In a late change by the applicant, the tower will now have one less office floor and one more hotel floor, bringing the number of hotel room from 232 to 249.

After years of construction work, The Woodlark hotel, which combines two historic buildings, opened downtown. The Oregonian took a first look inside, and previewed Bullard, ‘Top Chef’ finalist Doug Adams’ Texas-inspired Portland restaurant.

In response to “quite sobering” forecast for Portland building trends, the Bureau of Development Services last week laid off four employees, writes the Oregonian. 

Closed for two and a half years, Taiwanese restaurant Ling Garden has reopened in the the 21 Astor building, reports the Portland Mercury.

Portland is poised to spend revenue from lodgings and rental car taxes on services to help homeless people, reports the Willamette Week. The money is needed to help fill a funding gap in the recently passed Metro housing bond.

Oregon could become the first state to eliminate single family zoning, under a proposal by Speaker Tina Kotek. The legislation would require that allow Oregon cities of 10,000 people of more allow duplexes, triplexes or fourplexes, according to the Willamette Week.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Weekly Roundup: The Silica, The Woodlark, Old Town Chinatown, and more

Cornelius-Woodlark

The Woodlark Hotel is set to open in December.

Four year’s after the adoption of the $57 million Old Town Chinatown action plan, the Oregonian reported that almost none of what was planned has happened.

Eater Portland reported that downtown will soon have a spot for for Czech breakfast pastries at The Woodlark hotel.

The Portland Tribune reports that rents in Portland have dropped 2.7% year-on-year, which is the steepest decline in the nation

The Design Commission presented their annual State of the City Design Report* to City Council last week, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The Business Tribune wrote about The Silica, the latest addition to N Williams Ave.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Weekly Roundup: Porter Hotel, Towne Storage Building, Providence Park, and more

Construction is well underway on the Porter Hotel in Downtown

The Portland Chronicle wrote about the demolition of a 1930 funeral home. The site at 80 NE 14th Ave is being redeveloped as a six-story mixed-use building containing 190 residential units.

Eater PDX reported that Touché Restaurant was set to close this Sunday after 20 years in the Pearl. The historic firehouse that housed the restaurant will be renovated as part of the Modera Glisan development.

The Portland Business Journal reported that software company Autodesk will move 200 employees from Lake Oswego to the Towne Storage Building in the Central Eastside.

The DJC wrote about the massive number of new hotel rooms coming online, including at the AC Hotel, Convention Center Hotel, The Woodlark and The Porter.  If all hotel projects currently proposed get built they “would expand Central Portland’s room count by 35 percent by 2020.”*

The Oregonian reported that the Portland Timbers’ proposed expansion of Providence Park drew City Council support at a hearing held last week.

As Esco Corp. winds down operations in NW Portland The Oregonian reported that its 15 acre site is being prepared for redevelopment.

Portland for Everyone wrote about the eleven bills aimed at tackling housing prices that are still alive in the legislature.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Weekly Roundup: Central Courthouse, Crusher Court, Crane Count, and more

William Kaven Architecture received Design Advice from the Historic Landmarks Commission for Old Town Chinatown Block 33

The team behind Old Town Chinatown Block 33 received Design Advice from the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission. The DJC wrote about the reaction they received*.

BikePortland reported that the bike lanes on NW Naito / Front will be extended from NW 9th Ave to NW 19th Ave, with funding coming in part from the developers behind the Field Office.

Guerrilla Development’s New New Crusher Court will open in February, according to the Hollywood Star News.

Major construction on the Multnomah County Central Courthouse will begin soon, when crews from Hoffman Construction begin excavation, reported the Portland Business Journal.

The Seattle Times reported that Seattle had more cranes on its skyline than any other US city and over twice as many as Portland. Portland nevertheless has more cranes than San Francisco, Denver, Austin, New York or Boston.

The Portland Chronicle reported than deconstruction is underway at the 1889 building at 3336 SE Belmont St, set to be replaced by a new 3 story mixed use building.

Portland for Everyone posted a preview of Portland’s 2017 policy decisions to Open Housing.

The Portland Business Journal that Kurt Fischer Structural Engineering, who are working on The Woodlark Hotel have opened a Portland office to focus on the project and to tap into new opportunities in the region.

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Under Construction: The Woodlark Hotel (images)

This is an updated version of a post originally published in August 2015.

Construction is underway on The Woodlark hotel, a major renovation of two downtown buildings. The project will convert two adjacent National Register listed buildings into a single hotel, to be operated by Provenance Hotels. News of the 151 bed hotel was first announced in February 2015, after years of uncertainty over the future of the Cornelius Hotel building, which faced possible demolition as recently as 2013. The renovation is being designed by MCA Architects and funded by NBP Capital.

Cornelius-Woodlark

Read More

Metro Reports: Hoyt20, 419 SW 4th, 51 NE Weidler, and more

606 NE 20th Ave

A builing permit was issued for the Hoyt20 Apartments

Every week, the Bureau of Development Services publishes lists of Early Assistance applications, Land Use Reviews and Building Permits processed in the previous week. We publish the highlights.

Design Advice has been requested and a Pre-Application Conference scheduled by Works Partnership for a project at 404 NW 23rd Ave:

Proposal is for a new four story development with basement and surface parking. The roof will have a deck and be used for mechanical storage.

Proposal is for a new four story multi-unit development with basement parking and a provision for additional at grade surface parking. The roof will include a deck and mechanical storage.

Design Advice has been requested by ZGF Architects for a project at 419 SW Washington St:

30-story mixed use (housing/hotel) with five stories of underground parking. Existing building has a two stories of below grade parking.

Early Assistance has been requested by William Wilson Architects for a project at 2502 SE 29th Ave:

New four story, 50 unit apartment building with basement garage and ground floor retail.

Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a project at 5009 N Interstate Ave:

Proposed project is a 5-story apartment building with 70+ residential apartments. Ground level surface parking will be provided, as well as secure bike room. Will go through design review instead of meeting community design standards. Adjustment to drive through aisle will be requested.

Early Assistance has been requested by Mackenzie for a project at 627 SE Division Pl:

Demo existing structures and construct a new 4 story self-storage facility.

Early Assistance has been requested by Hennebery Eddy Architects for a project at 341 SW 10th Ave:

Early Assistance w/meeting to discuss an addition of up to 2 floors on top of the existing building, which houses a “walk-in” theatre. Those floors would include add’l theatres, food service, common space, and potentially offices.

Early Assistance has been requested by Urban Development Group for a project at 1725 SE Tenino St:

Proposal is for a new apartment building with 78 units. Existing structures will be demolished.

A Pre-Application Conference has been scheduled by LRS Architects for a project at 51 NE Weidler St:

Proposal for a mixed use full block development. Ground floor auto dealership facing Broadway and commercial tenant spaces facing Weidler. Below grade parking and behicle service bay for dealership operations. One level of residential parking above the dealership with five floors of residential units. Outdoor terrace and green roof over residential parking structure.

A Pre-Application Conference has been scheduled by Holst Architecture regarding 1510 NE Multnomah St:

New mixed use development of 2, 6 story 1st floor retail/live work apartment buildings. Approximately 520 market rate units with below grade parking.

A project at 1825 NW 23rd Ave has been submitted for Type III Design Review by Works Partnership:

Type III Design Review for a 5-story mixed use building with ground-level retail. Project includes basement parking.

A project at 6805 SE 52nd Ave has been submitted for building permit review by Allusa Architecture:

New 3 story mixed use building with (15) apartments and (2) retail spaces, site improvements, detached trash enclosure and gazebo each less than 120 sq ft.

New 3 story apartment building with (12) units

A project at 9525 N Lombard St has been submitted for building permit review:

Construct new 2 story (7 unit) apartment building with associated site work

A building permit was issued to MCA Architects for The Woodlark hotel at 813 SW Alder St:

Combine Woodlark Building (B occupancy) and Cornelius Hotel (R-2 occupancy) into a single Hotel (R-1 occupancy,) with 150 rooms, restaurant, bar and retail amenity area. (see 15-173142 CO for interior demolition permit)

A building permit was issued for a project at 7711 SW Capitol Highway (previously 7707 SW Capitol Highway):

New four story apartment building, 72 units, approximately 40 parking stalls, 2 retail spaces, ***demo permit for existing structure to be obtained separately***

A building permit was issued for the Hoyt20 Apartments at 620 NE 20th Ave:

New construction of a 6-story 59unit apartment building including parking and retail on level 1. Levels 3-6 contain a mix of apartment including studios, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedrooms. Level 6 also has an amenity deck along the west property line. Retail space on level 1 is to be built out under a separate permit with no occupancy this permit. Demo of existing building to be under separate permit. Demo plans included for reference only.

A building permit was issued for a project at 6400 N Montana Ave (previously 6404 N Montana):

New 6 unit, 3 story apartment with associated site work and landscaping