Construction is nearing completion on the Ukandu Loft for families impacted by childhood cancer. The building, designed by Gensler, will incorporate activity spaces for children, teens, and families; community spaces; therapy and counseling offices; outdoor community spaces; parking; and operational offices.

The project is located on a 10,000 sq ft (quarter block) site at the corner of SW 1st Ave and Porter St. As noted by Ukandu on the project page, the site is just six minutes from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and eleven minutes from Randall Children’s Hospital.

The site is in the South Portland Historic District, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1998. As such, the project was required to go through a Historic Resource review, with a public hearing in front of the Historic Landmarks Commission.

The Ukandu Loft will incorporate a two-story brick building constructed in 1978, outside of the district’s period of significance. A house at 118 SW Porter St was previously located on the site. Considered a Contributing Resource to the historic district, its demolition was approved by City Council in February 2025.

The Loft renovates the existing 1978 existing masonry building and adds a two-story masonry addition to the west, with a single story volume at the parking entrance in between them. Landscaped areas are gardens are located at the second floor, over the parking entry and at the southwest corner of the site.

Proposed exterior materials include running bond brick, aluminum clad windows, aluminum storefront, metal cladding, concrete and wood.

The Ukandu Loft was approved by the Historic Landmarks Commission on February 10th, 2025. The project had previously been in front of the commission for a voluntary Design Advice Request on August 26, 2024 and for an advisory meeting related to the demolition on November 25, 2024. In the Final Findings and Decision by the Historic Landmarks Commission the project’s response to its context was praised:

The proposal is compatible with the site’s context including the design of the existing building. The proposed design exhibits characteristics consistent with the Early 20th Century Commercial Style found within commercial areas of the district. In particular, it is consistent with characteristics of the existing building on SW 1st Ave. and its contributing neighbor to the south, the Sydney Wallace Building. Within South Portland, buildings of this style are generally one or two stories with flat roofs with low parapets, constructed of wood, brick, or concrete, and feature relatively little applied decoration. Articulation and detailing are focused at window openings and the building base and cornice. Cues are taken from the contributing neighbor to the south with divided lights in glazing and contrasting metal detailing. Special care is proposed at the modified building entry with a custom door fabricated from recycled building materials from the site. The alterations and addition prioritize the public realm with high-quality, tactile materials and detailing and human scale. The street frontages are highly glazed and will include landscaped frontage zones.

The full case file for the Historic Resource Review can be found here. The Ukandu Loft is expected to open in fall 2026.

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