Category Archives: News Roundup

Weekly Roundup: Oregon Square, Lents Town Center, PNCA and more

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possible development scenario meeting targets for approximately 20,000 new housing units and 30,000 new jobs in the West Quadrant

Image from the West Quadrant Plan showing a possible development scenario meeting targets for approximately 20,000 new housing units and 30,000 new jobs.

Our weekly roundup covers the stories relating to architecture & development in Portland:

In a 4-1 vote the City Council approved the West Quadrant Plan which will shape the development Downtown, South Waterfront, the Pearl and Goose Hollow for the next 20 years. The lone no vote was Amanda Fritz, who stated that she was “disgusted” at the way the hearing was conducted.

The public got their first chance to see the PNCA 511 Building when it opened for its first First Thursday event. At Portland Architecture Brian Libby writes about his experience of visiting PNCA’s “transformational new home” now that it’s finished and the students have moved in.

The Portland Mercado  has set an opening date of Saturday, April 11. The market will include food cart vendors from regions of Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Argentina and El Salvador.

After years where South Waterfront was a retail desert, Urban Works Real Estate is now reporting that they are running out of space to offer in the district. They recently announced that have leased the entire 14,000 square feet of retail space at The Ardea.

The Portland Chronicle published photos of the stretch of N Williams / N Vancouver on which the Cook Street Lofts, The Woods and the Cook Street Apartments are all either planned or under construction. They noted that “between the two blocks 360 residential units are in development on property formerly home to three residential dwellings”.

The Oregonian published two articles about the Oregon Square development. The first article focused on the proposed public plaza, and quoted Kyle Anderson of GBD Architects who said that they “definitely see it as being both an amenity and asset to the development, but also a destination.” The second article revealed that that the tower might be the first building in Portland to undergo a peer review of its seismic design, instead of using the prescriptive requirements of the building code.

Chad Rennaker’s Palindrome Communities won the development rights to Lents Town Center Property #1 and Property #2. The Portland Tribune wrote about his plans for Lents, which also includes the Z Haus brewpub and restaurant.

Weekly Roundup: Riverplace Hyatt House, Hotel Eastlund and more

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Melvin Mark's 2&Taylor, now home to Jama Software

Melvin Mark’s 2&Taylor, now home to Jama Software

  • The Oregonian published the first images of the 14 story tower planned by developer John Carroll for 535 NW 11th Ave. It would occupy a quarter of a block, and contain 98 apartment units.
  • The Portland Business Journal had a look at Jama Software’s new headquarters inside 2&Taylor. The building was formerly the Yamhill Marketplace, and has been extensively remodeled by Hennebery Eddy Architects and Melvin Mark Development.
  • Williams & Dame held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday for the Riverplace Hyatt House, attended by Charlie Hales and Homer Williams.
  • Restauranteur David Machado will open two new restaurants this spring at the Hotel Eastlund. Altabira will be a “beer-focused American restaurant” located on the roof of the hotel, while Citizen Baker will be a ground-floor bakery and cafe.
  • The Oregonian reported on the various buildings proposed for the Zidell Yards, which include a 113,000 square feet, five stories high office building; a 246,000-square-foot five story office building at 3121 SW Moody Ave; and a six or seven story apartment building at 3201 SW Moody Ave.
  • In ‘Learning for the Future‘ Places over Time looked at the proposed PSU School of Business Administration.

Weekly Roundup: Pine Street Market, Convention Center Hotel and more

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Pine Street Market

The United Carriage and Baggage Transfer Building is being converted into the Pine Street Market.

  • Metro President Tom Hughes warned that a lawsuit against the Convention Center Hotel could jeopardize Portland’s chances of holding an NBA All-Star Game in 2017 or 2018.
  • Eater PDX reported that ChickPeaDX will be one of the first tenants at The Zipper, the under-construction micro restaurant project on NE Sandy Blvd.
  • Park Avenue West has reached its full height. A topping out ceremony was held on Thursday.
  • The long vacant 321 Glisan building in Old Town has been sold to developer Brian Wannamaker. Work to convert the former cold storage building into offices began in 2007, but stalled during the recession.
  • City Commissioner Amanda Fritz issued a memo to Bureau of Development Services staff, saying that the bar should be higher for discretionary land use reviews. Staff should not, she said, ” have to ‘get to yes’ with every project.”
  • The Ecotrust has expanded its plans for a Central Eastside food hub. In addition to The Redd, it has purchased another city block bound by SE 7th Ave, SE Taylor St, SE 8th Ave and SE Salmon St.
  • Restore Oregon, a historic preservation non-profit, is lobbying the state legislature to pass the Revitalize Main Street Act. If passed, the bill would provide a 25% rebate for certified rehabilitation of historic commercial buildings. Portland Architecture discussed the bill and its potential impacts with Peggy Moretti, executive director of Restore Oregon.
  • Saint Cupcake, Tiger Tiger Salon, and Breighela James Boutique will be the first tenants at the Mason Williams on N Williams Ave.
  • The Portland Mercury had a look inside the United Carriage and Baggage Transfer Building, which will be the home of the Pine Street Market.
  • The redevelopment of the Grove Hotel is moving forward. The project is now planned as a 112-room “lifestyle boutique hotel”, with a $25 million budget.

Weekly Roundup: Hassalo on 8th, Spokane 13 and more

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Spokane 13 Apartments

Spokane 13 Apartments

  • Hassalo on Eighth, the Lloyd District superblock development by GBD Architects and American Assets Trust, reached its full height. The names of the three buildings were announced: the Aster Tower; The Elwood; and the Velomor.
  • Also in the Lloyd District, restauranteur David Machado plans to open two new restaurants in the Hotel Eastlund. Altabira City Tavern will be a rooftop restaurant with a beer centric menu, while Citizen Baker will be a bakery, cafe and wine bar.
  • The venue Revolution Hall opened this week in Washington High School, an adaptive reuse of an old high school by SERA Architects and Venerable Properties. Portland Monthly listed  five things you don’t know about Rev Hall. David Greenwald of the Oregonian reviewed the first show, Wild Ones and Alialujah Choir.
  • The Portland Tribune profiled Bob Ball, CEO of development firm Astor Pacific. In it they revealed that his next project will be a four story, 35-unit apartment with corner retail at 901 NW 21st Avenue, near Caffé Mingo.
  • Two retail buildings in Sellwood were demolished to make way for the VWR Development’s Spokane 13 Apartments. The design is by TVA Architects.
  • PHK Development and THA Architecture released details of their proposed 7 story apartment at 2034 NE Multnomah. An adjustment review for the project was approved in December 2014.
  • The Portland Business Journal reported that the PDC has issued an RFI for the Old Fire Station Property at NW 3rd & Glisan. It could potentially be converted into creative office space.
  • Portland Architecture published an interview with Eugene Sandoval of ZGF Architects. Notable projects of his include the Eliot Tower and Twelve West.

Weekly Roundup: Hotel Cornelius, The Redd, Ankeny Lofts and more

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cornelius-hotel-lobby

Hotel Cornelius Lobby (image via Portland Preservation). The interior no longer remains.

  • The Portland City Council held a public hearing on the proposed West Quadrant Plan, a component of the Central City 2035 Plan. The Oregonian had “10 takeaways from the 20-year plan for the westside.”
  • The Portland Design Commission this week reviewed Hazelwood Plaza and offered Design Advice on Modera Belmont.
  • Portland Monthly wrote about The Redd on Salmon St, an empty warehouse in the Central Eastside which the Ecotrust intends to convert into an “incubator for artisan food businesses.”
  • The Oregon confirmed that the adjacent Woodlark Building and Hotel Cornelius will be converted into a hotel operated by Provenance Hotels. A Pre-Application Conference for the project was held in December.
  • The Zipper, Guerrilla Development’s latest project, is taking shape on NE Sandy. The collection of micro-restaurants will open in March.
  • Major construction on the Lloyd Center Remodel begins in March. A story in the Oregonian said that brokers are shying away from traditional tenants, and are looking instead at “boutiques, restaurants, brewpubs, exercise studios and possibly a grocery store or a farmers market.”
  • Portland Architecture published photos of Colab’s recently completed Ankeny Lofts 2/3.
  • The 657-unit, three-building Hassalo on Eighth project will have a topping off ceremony on Monday, with Mayor Charlie Hales and Congressmen Earl Blumenauer present.
  • The Portland Chronicle published construction photos of Urban Development Group’s 27th & Ankeny project.
  • Randy Gragg asked whether the PNCA 511 Building will spark a renaissance in Old Town. The first students moved into the building this week.
  • The Portland Business Journal had a look at the under construction Erickson Saloon & Fritz Hotel project.
  • New Seasons has pre-leased 15,000 sq ft retail space in the Cook Street Apartments, to address a parking shortage at their North Williams store.
  • Hacienda CDC has a number of community projects in progress on the east side, including the Portland Mercado.

Weekly Roundup: Oregon Square, Lents Town Center and more

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GBD Architects' Oregon Square

GBD Architects’ Oregon Square

  • The Design Commission offered Design Advice on Oregon Square to GBD Architects. The project by American Assets Trust will redevelop a superblock in the Lloyd District, with 4 new buildings of 10-32 floors.
  • The Historic Landmarks Commission offered Design Advice on the Worldmark by Wyndham building to SERA Architects.
  • The City Council backed a plan by the Portland Housing Bureau to commit $20 million for affordable housing in North and Northeast Portland.
  • Zidell Yards was the subject of an email accidentally sent to OPB news and published by the Oregonian. The PDC and the Zidell family are currently negotiating on whether the Zidell property should include affordable housing. The Portland Housing’s Bureau’s preferred location is Riverplace Parcel 3, which the Portland Tribune wrote about in the article “Can South Waterfront be made affordable?“
  • Portland Monthly reported that Providore Fine Foods and Pastaworks are scheduled to open this fall in The Shore, an under construction project by Guerrilla Development on NE Sandy Blvd.
  • The PDC has selected developers for 6 of the 12 acres of property in owns in Lents Town Center. Property #1 and #2 are to be developed by Palindrome Communities. The south portion of Property #3 is to be developed by Williams & Dame, with the north portion by ROSE CDC. Asian Health & Services Center and REACH CDC are the selected developer for Property #4.
  • The first office tenants are moving into Washington High School, an adaptive reuse project by Venerable Properties. The Oregonian was there to take photos.
  • Portland Monthly had a look at Ancient Heritage’s new creamery, set to open this May in the 626 SE Main building.
  • The Portland Chronicle published photos of the two houses set to be demolished on NE Glisan St, for the Treece & Lambert Apartments by Barry R Smith Architect.
  • The Oregonian visited the Stadium Fred Meyer on West Burnside, the remodel of which is nearing completion.

Weekly Roundup: Oregon Zoo, PNCA, Block 136 and more

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Zidell Yards

Zidell Yards

  • The Design Commission approved designs for Block 136 and the 19th & Overton.
  • The Portland Development Commission is moving working on finalizing a Development Agreement with ZRZ Realty for Zidell Yards. The Portland Business Journal reported that the main areas still to be worked concern affordable housing and a new park. The Oregonian obtained a draft memo from the Portland Housing Bureau, which asked whether the Zidell family had “no desire” to develop affordable housing.
  • Beneficial Bank is considering redeveloping property it owns at 430 NW 10th Ave in the Pearl with an 11-story wood building. The property is currently occupied by a branch of Albina Bank.
  • Construction is underway on the Burnside Bridgehead Block 75, designed by Works Partnership. The Portland Business Journal reported that a formal groundbreaking is scheduled for Thursday January 29th.
  • The Portland Chronicle published photos of the church at 5000 SE Lincoln set to be demolished, to allow the construction of new townhomes.
  • A 2,000 sq ft visitor center at the Oregon Zoo Elephant Habitat will be the first building in the state to use Cross Laminated Timber, as reported in the Portland Business Journal.
  • Brian Libby of Portland Architecture had a first glimpse of the PNCA 511 Building, set to open soon. Next Portland published an article about the building earlier this week.

Weekly Roundup: Lloyd Center Cinema, Pine Street Market and more

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Creative Office Redevelopment of the Regal 8 Cinema

Creative Office Redevelopment of the Lloyd Center Regal 8 Cinema

Weekly Roundup: the Society Hotel, the Loyal Legion and more

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The Society Hotel will open this summer

The Society Hotel will open this summer

  • The Portland Business Journal reported that Jama Software, the anchor tenant for Melvin Mark’s 2&Taylor building, is ready to move in.  The project is a redevelopment of the former Yamhill Marketplace.
  • The demolition of the former University Station post office began. The site is owned by St Mary’s Academy, who plan on expanding their campus. Although still in the early stages of planning, the Oregonian reported on what might be housed in the expansion.
  • The Society Hotel, a redevelopment of a long vacant building in Old Town, is set to open this summer. The Portland Business Journal had a look at the construction progress.
  • The City Council was scheduled to vote on the rezoning for the MAC Block 7 apartments. The applicants have now decided to complete a City Center Parking Review before the City Council makes its final decision.
  • The Waterline Apartments on NW Front Ave have begun pre-leasing.
  • At Portland Architecture, Brian Libby expanded on his CityLab article about Centennial Mills, with more extracts from his conversation with Jordan Schnitzer. Meanwhile, the RFP process for selective demolition of the buildings in worst condition is ongoing.
  • Chefstable plans to open The Loyal Legion, a beer hall with 99 Oregon beers on tap, in the former Portland Police Athletic Association building.

Weekly Roundup: changes in the Central Eastside, Downtown and Goose Hollow

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The Goat Blocks

The Goat Blocks

  • In “The Central Question: Can industry, ambition and development mix in Portland’s Central Eastside?” the Oregonian wrote about the changes the neighborhood is going through, with the Goat Blocks being of particular concern to industrial users in the area.
  • Places over Time published an article titled “In Defense of Change,” a reaction to the anti-development rhetoric of the last year in Portland.
  • The Portland Business Journal looked at what’s contained in the latest version of Portland’s West Quadrant Plan, with articles about Downtown and Goose Hollow.
  • Also in the Portland Business Journal: the current Northwest Portland Cash & Carry will close in April and move to a larger unit. The site is due to be redeveloped by Mill Creek Residential Trust at 1420 Pearl.
  • The Portland Chronicle published photos of the site at NE 28th and Glisan that’s set to redeveloped as a 4-story apartment building.