Focus: The 25 Most Popular Posts of 2018

Posted on January 2, 2019 by nextportland

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:

Focus: Our 25 Most Popular Posts of 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by nextportland

The Block 20 condominium tower, now known as Vista Pearl, was the subject of our most popular post of the year

2017 is the third full year Next Portland has been in operation. Although the onset of Inclusionary Zoning has slowed down the number of new applications submitted, there was a lot to write about in 2017 while the projects submitted in late last year and early this year worked their way through the development review process.

Over the course of the year we published 176 new blog posts, and our development map now has over 1,000 unique projects listed (including completed and cancelled projects). In 2017 Next Portland had over 900,000 page views, a slight increase from the previous year.

Sixteen of the articles that made the top 25 most viewed posts were published this year; seven were published in 2016; and one was published in 2015. Our second most popular article from the 2015 list and fourth most popular article from the 2016 list—about the Goat Blocks—was still the fifteenth most popular article of 2017 despite having been written in December 2014. The 2016 roundup of the tallest buildings planned in 2016 was the third most popular article of the year, and although there wasn’t an equivalent list published in 2017 we hope to write one in early 2018.

So, with that Happy New Year to all. In reverse order, here are our 25 most popular posts of the year:

Weekly Roundup: Press Blocks, Vista Pearl, Swift Headquarters, and more

Posted on February 5, 2017 by nextportland

Image of the Press Blocks development in Goose Hollow, from the project’s second Design Advice Request hearing in October 2016 (image by Mithun)

According to the Portland Business Journal the sale of the former Oregonian printing facilities in Goose Hollow has closed. Urban Renaissance Group and Security Properties paid $20 million for the site, which is set to be redevelopment as the Press Blocks.

The Business Tribune wrote about the new leadership at Holst Architecture.

After more than 20 years, Mark Edlen has handed over the reins at Gerding Edlen, reports the Portland Business Journal.

The NW Examiner reported that the amount of ground retail at the Vista Pearl (formerly Block 20) will be reduced from what was originally approved.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation is looking for feedback on what type of bike parking should be required at new apartment buildings, reported BikePortland.

The DJC wrote about how local architecture firms make decisions on whether to speak up on political issues.*

The prospect of lower corporate taxes under President Trump is having a chilling effect on one of the main sources of financing for affordable housing developments, wrote the Portland Mercury. Local projects affected include Innovate Housing’s NW 14th & Raleigh development, which now has a $1.8 million funding gap.

The Portland Business Journal took a look at the Swift Headquarters, completed last year in the former Rose City Awnings building in NW.

As part of their Architect’s Questionnaire series, Portland Architecture interviewed Nat Slayton of ZGF Architects.

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

Under Construction: Block 20 Condominium Tower (images)

Posted on January 26, 2017 by nextportland

This is an updated version of a post originally published on July 13th 2016.

Construction is underway on a 21 story tower designed by Bora Architects for Hoyt Street Properties. The 246′ tall Block 20 tower will include 143 residential units, offered for sale as condominium units. Flex retail / office spaces will be located at the ground level, facing NW 11th, Pettygrove and 12th. 168 car parking spaces and 229 bike parking spaces will be provided.

Block 20 was the first condominium tower to go in front of the Design Commission for almost a full three years. The most recent major condominium project in Portland prior to Block 20 was the Cosmopolitan on the Park, by the same developer and architect. The Cosmopolitan was approved by the Design Commission in July 2013, and was completed in 2016.

Focus: Our 25 Most Popular Posts of 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by nextportland

The post about 5 MLK’s first Design Advice Request hearing was Next Portland’s most popular post of the year. [See this follow up post for the most recent images of the project.]

2016 is the second full year Next Portland has been in operation. With development showing no signs of slowing down it’s been a busy year. We published 234 new blog posts, and our development map now has almost 800 unique projects listed (including completed and cancelled projects). Over the course of the year the site had almost 900,000 page views; up 84% over 2015.

6 of the articles that made the top 25 viewed posts were published in 2015; 2 were published in 2014. Our second most popular article from the 2015 list, about the Goat Blocks, was still the fourth most popular article of 2016 despite having been written in December 2014. Our most popular post of 2015, about the 25 tallest buildings planned in the city, remained in the list at third place, and was just beaten out in popularity by the updated 2016 list. Two pioneering Cross Laminated Timber buildings, Carbon12 and Framework, took up three places on the list.

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

Metro Reports: Woodie Guthrie Place, Lennox Apartments, Grant High School and more

Posted on November 8, 2016 by nextportland

Woodie Guthrie Place,

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.

Early Assistance has been requested by Koz Development for a project at SE 13th and Ankeny:

New 4-story apartment building with approximately 80 units.

Early Assistance has been requested by CIDA Architects for a project at 1439 N Dekum St:

New 4-story 30-unit apartment building.

Early Assistance has been requested by Rhiza Architecture & Design for a project at 13922 SE Division St:

Proposal is for construction of a new multi-family building for maximum amount of units allowed and garages for a portion of all new units. One existing dwelling will be demolished. Property has three existing buildings; one single family, one four unit apartment and a duplex. The multi-family units are to remain.

Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a project at 1631 SE Reedway St:

New 3 story multi family apartment building

The Grant High School Modernization has been submitted for Type III Conditional Use Review:

Grant highschool updates

Woodie Guthrie Place at 5728 SE 91st Ave has been submitted for building permit review by Carleton Hart Architects:

New 4-story, 68-unit building

A project at 1611 SE Bybee Blvd has been submitted for building permit review by Kevin Cooley Architect:

Construct one story mixed use building, includes 2 tenant spaces with restrooms, unit 105 includes trash and sprinkler room, new residential unit at rear of building with live/work area, includes associated site work

A building permit was issued for the Lennox Apartments at 5151 SE Holgate Blvd (formerly 4455 SE 52nd Ave):

New mixed use building, ground floor retail, 64 units, on-site parking, landscaping and utilities

A foundation permit was issued to Bora Architects for the Block 20 condominium tower:

Block 20 – Foundation permit for 21 story condo tower – This permit includes piles, pile caps, below grade utilities and slab on grade.

Metro Reports: Station Place Lot 5, 72Foster, 1500 SW Taylor, and more

Posted on July 6, 2016 by nextportland

A building permit was issued for Station Place Lot 5 by Hacker architects

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.

SERA Architects have requested Design Advice for a project at 1500 SW Taylor St:

Design Advice Request for a Type III Design Review for the construction of a new 10-story mixed-use building with some ground-level retail and residential development, approximately 150 residential units. The project will include two-levels of below-grade parking. See parent folder (PC 16-175812).

Early Assistance has been requested by William Wilson Architects for a project at 310 SE 12th Ave:

Proposal is for new four-story 84 unit apartment building with basement.

Early Assistance has been requested by Ankrom Moisan Architects for the N Williams Center at 2156 N Williams Ave:

Demo existing buildings and develop a new 4 story 61 unit apartment building with 30 parking spaces

Early Assistance has been requested by Wright Architecture for a project at 6804 N Maryland Ave:

New 3 Story 6 unit development with property to be divided; Questions regarding feasibility.

Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a project at 1120 NW 21st Ave:

Proposal is for a new four-story 45ft tall mixed-use/multi family residential development including 46 apartments, ground floor leaseable space, ROW and site improvements, landscaping and 51 long term and 3 short term bike parking stalls. On on-site parking provided.

Early Assistance has been requested by Holst Architecture for 72Foster at 7120 SE Foster Rd:

Project consists of new 80,000 sf four story building that will include 108 affordable housing units with approx. 10,000 sf of ground floor retail space and approx. 54 parking spaces.

Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a project at 3802 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd :

Early Assistance with meeting to discuss proposal for a new (5-story, 57′ tall) multi-family residential development.

Early Assistance has been requested by Merryman Barnes Architects for the King Parks apartments at 6445 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd:

New development of a 69 unit affordable housing project with community room, orrices and service spaces on the ground floor with 24 parking spaces accessed off the alley.

Early Assistance has been requested by TVA Architects for a project at 5036 NE Sandy Blvd:

New 6 story market rate mixed-use/multi-family development. 90 units proposed with 1 floor mixed use retail, 21 car parking spaces and 139 bike parking spaces.

Early Assistance has been requested by Gerald Rembowski Architect for a project at 1125 N Schmeer Rd:

Two lot land division in order to be able to build second hotel with 76 rooms on the proposed eastern lot.

A Pre-Application Conference has been scheduled by LRS Architects and Lever Architecture for Block 45:

A Pre-Application Conference to discuss a proposal for a new twelve story building. The building is proposed to have 7,500 square feet of ground floor retail and approximately 264 residential units. Project is a mix of affordable and market rate housing. No parking is proposed.

LRS Architects have submitted NW 14th & Raleigh for Design Review:

New construction of a twelve story building with 93 units of affordable housing, associated resident amenities and a ground floor commercial space on a 10,000 sf site. Parking for 16 cars will be provided on the ground floor.

GBD Architects have submitted revisions to Oregon Square for Design Review:

Type III Design Review for a 4-block phased development. Changes to LU 15-156716 are being proposed. Phase 1 is the superblock be developed into two apartment towers around a publicly accessed ped-only plaza.

Works Partnership have applied for demolition permit and building permit for a project at 110 SE Washington St:

Demo existing 2 story warehouse

Construct new 9 story building with underground parking;

Urban Development Group have applied for a building permit for a project at 316 NE 28th Ave:

Construct new, 4 story apartment building with 74 units, below grade parking

Building permits are under review for a project at 6400 SW Canyon Ct:

Building 1 – 76 units, 4 stories of living over 2 stories of below grade parking

Building 2 – 72 units, 4 stories of living over 2 stories of structured parking

Building 3 – 59 units, 3 stories over 1 story of structured parking

Building 4 – 60 units, 3 stories of living over 1 floor of structural parking

Stack Architecture have submitted a project at N Crawford & N Charleston Ave for building permit review:

New construction apartment bldg on north side of property – see 16-185213-CO for attached plaza and apartment bldg C

New construction 4 over 1 apartment building with parking garage and plaza -see 16-185235-CO for bldgs A&B

Iselin Architects have submitted a project at 8705 SE 13th Ave for building permit review:

New 5 story 24 unit apartment building with underground parking

Bora Architects have applied for a foundation permit for Block 20:

Block 20 – Foundation permit for 21 story condo tower – This permit includes piles, pile caps, below grade utilities and slab on grade.

Building permit is under review for a project at 223 SE 146th Ave:

Construct 3 story, 3 unit apartment building

Construct 3 story, 24 unit apartment building

Construct 3 story, 24 unit apartment building, includes parking and associated site work, detached trash enclosure is less than 120ft in area

Ankrom Moisan Architects have submitted the East Burnside Apartments at 10506 E Burnside for building permit review:

New construction of five story multidwelling residential building, consisting of 52 unit with 15 tuck-under parking spaces. Interior trash room

Myhre Group Architects have submitted a project at 5025 NE 21st Ave for building permit review:

Construct new 4 story, 28 unit apartment building, no parking, includes associated site work

Urban Development Group have submitted a project at 4926 SE Division St for building permit review:

New construction of a mixeduse building consisting of 127 apartment units and 7000 sf of ground floor commercial space; below grade parking

Myhre Group Architects have submitted a project at 4901 SE Hawthorne Blvd for building permit review:

Construct new 4 story mixed use building with (46) units and 2737 sf of retail, interior trash room

The Seven Corners Community Collaborative at 1949 SE Division St has been submitted for building permit review:

Construct new 4 story office building with retail and parking on ground floor, offices on floors 2-4, includes associated site work

Building permits are under review for a project at 5414 SE Duke St:

New 2-story building with 8 guest rooms

New 2-story building with 8 guest rooms

New 2-story building with 8 guest rooms

A building permit was issued to Scott Edwards Architecture for a project at 1451 NE Alberta St:

Redevelopment of existing building to create ground floor warm shell retail and two floors – 10 units – residential units above. Including street landscaping. Separate tenant improvement permit required for occupancy of 1st floor shell space.

A partial permit for excavation and piling at Station Place Lot 5 was issued to Hacker Architects:

Partial Permit for new 8 story building, scope includes erosion control/site preparation, excavation/piling, underground utilities, entire concrete structure.

An excavation and shoring was issued to GBD Architects for the Broadway Tower:

Excavation and Shoring for new 19 story commercial high rise structure with retail, office and hotel uses and 4 floors of below grade parking

A building permit was issued for a project at 2845 NE Columbia Blvd:

Construct new 103,912 sq ft, 3 story self storage building with associated utilities, parking and landscaping.

Block 20 Condominium Tower goes before Design Commission (images)

Posted on June 9, 2016 by nextportland

Bora Architects and Hoyt Street Properties have gone before the Design Commission with proposals for a 21 story tower. The 246′ tall Block 20 tower will include 149 residential units, offered for sale as condominium units. Two small retail spaces are proposed at the corner of NW 12th Ave and Pettygrove Street. 192 car parking spaces and 224 bike parking spaces will be provided.

Block 20 is the first condominium tower to go in front of the Design Commission for almost a full three years. The most recent major condominium project in Portland prior to Block 20 was the Cosmopolitan on the Park, by the same developer and architect. The Cosmopolitan was approved by the Design Commission in July 2013, and is now nearing completion.

Pearl Block 20

Focus: Portland’s Tallest Planned Buildings (2016)

Posted on May 20, 2016 by nextportland

Image from the Discussion Draft of the Central City 2035 Plan (Bureau of Planning & Sustainability).

Image from the Discussion Draft of the Central City 2035 Plan, showing a possible development scenario approximating future growth in the Pearl District over 20 years (Bureau of Planning & Sustainability). At least two of the sites shown as potentially developable have current proposals on them.

It is just over a year since Next Portland last did a roundup of the tallest buildings planned or under construction in Portland. At that time, we counted 25 buildings over 100′ in height planned. Today we count 40. Given the length of time it takes to complete a high rise building, many of the buildings on the 2016 were also on the 2015 list. Four buildings are no longer on the list this year, due to having been completed: Block 17, Pearl West, the Aster Tower and Park Avenue West. Seven buildings that were still in the design phase last year are now under construction. No building on last year’s list is known to have been cancelled.

Read on to see our complete list. Where possible, the heights given are the building height as defined in the Portland Zoning Code and published in the Design Commission’s Final Findings. In some cases the heights have been estimated.

Metro Reports: Pearl Block 20, 1510 NE Multnomah, Jefferson 14 and more

Posted on March 22, 2016 by nextportland

Jefferson 14 Apartments

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

ZGF Architects have requested Design Advice for a project at 500 NE Multnomah St:

Replace existing garage with new parking structure at 500 NE Multnomah St.

Soderstrom Architects have requested Early Assistance for a project at St Thomas More Catholic School:

Rebuild existing school and parish hall. Provide for more and better on-site parking. In-ground tankage for stormwater.

LEEB Architects have scheduled a Pre-Application Conference to discuss a project at 1440 SW Taylor St:

Pre-application conference to discuss a 6-story, 81-unit, residentail apartment with lobby, trash area, bike storage and parking garage for 30 cars on ground floor.

SERA Architects have scheduled a Pre-Application Conference to discuss a project at 909 SE 12th Ave:

Pre-application conference to discuss a 148 unit, 6-story, market-rate apartment building with ground floor retail and basement parking.

A Pre-Application Conference has been scheduled to discuss a project at 6125 SE Division St:

New memory care facility building (14,000 sq ft) consisting of 18 private and 5 double units for a total of 28 beds/residents. Building to also include a dining area, courtyard, and support facilities. 42 structured parking spaces with at-grade entry.

Holst Architecture have submitted 1510 NE Multnomah for Design Review:

Type III Design Review and Central City Parking Review for a new multi-building, mixed-use development. The project will include housing and retail uses, underground parking, private streets and pedestrian corridors. The Design Commission has offered guidance in a DAR (EA 15-167229). And, earlier this year the applicant met with staff in an Early Assistance meeting (EA 15-189556).

Bora Architects have submitted Pearl Block 20 for Design Review:

Proposed high-rise condominium building with above-grade parking.

Soderstrom Architects have submitted a Conditional Use Master Plan Amendment for a project at 2145 NW Overton St:

For Conditional Use Master Plan Amendment to Allow Converting the Overton Warehouse to Parking.

Stack Architecture have submitted a project at 714 NE Alberta St for building permit review:

Addition to NW side of the building for new elevator shaft and trash enclosure; full interior remodel of 1st and second floor; remove interior walls and add new walls to create waiting area, exam rooms, offices, restrooms, meeting room, and worstations area; new landscaping and restriping of parking lot

Doug Circosta Architect has submitted a project at 201 SE 146th Ave for building permit review:

Construct new 3 story (24 unit) apartment building with associated site work; new play area, sports field area, and parking lot building 1 of 6, building 100

Construct new 2 story (2 unit) apartment building with common area on main floor and laundry roombuilding 2 of 6, building 200

Construct new 3 story (11 unit) apartment building with trash room on main floor3 of 6 building, building 300

Construct new 3 story (24 unit) apartment building; 4 of 6 building, building 400

Construct new 3 story (12 unit) apartment building 5 of 6 building, building 500

Construct new 3 story (19 unit) apartment building with storage area on main floor6 of 6 building, building 600

Valeant Architecture have submitted a project at 2720 SE Steele St for building permit review:

Construct new 3 story (7 unit) apartment building; with attached bike storage and trash enclosure; new parking lot

A building permit was issued to TVA Architects for the Jefferson 14 Apartments:

New 6 story apartment building, landscaping and site improvements

A building permit was issued to Works Partnership for the PDX Commons co-housing at 4262 SE Belmont St:

New 4 story 27 unit apartment building with shared amenities, ground level parking and one tenant space, stormwater facility and site improvements.

A building permit was issued to Green Gables Design & Restoration for a project at 1970 NW 18th Ave:

New construction of building to house 3 tenants, 2 story at center; main floor includes tenant spaces, 2 accessible restrooms and common area, 2nd floor is a part of tenant 1, overhead door at tenat 3 space; stormwater planter facility at exterior and pavers