Focus: 25 Tallest Buildings Planned or Under Construction

Posted on May 15, 2015 by nextportland

It’s now almost 6 months since the first post on Next Portland. Since then we’ve published over 180 posts and added over 350 projects to our map, which is a testament to the staggering scale of development happening right now in Portland. Much of this development is 4-6 story buildings along the corridors such as N Williams and SE Division, but there is also a large number of tall buildings going up in the Central City, which why we decided to list the 25 tallest buildings planned or under construction.

While the boom of the 2000s was defined by the activity in South Waterfront, today that district has no apartments or condos planned over 6 stories tall. By contrast the Pearl, the Lloyd District and the Central Eastside are all seeing their skylines altered. Activity in Downtown has quieter, but it also has the tallest building in our list, which is now the 4th tallest building in the city.

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. Where indicated the heights have been estimated.

1 – Park Avenue West

Height: 460′
Architect: TVA Architects
Status: Under Construction

November 21, 2013 LU 13-214772 DZ - Drawings - 03

Height increase proposed for Multnomah County Health Department Headquarters (images)

Posted on April 23, 2015 by nextportland

A Zoning Map Amendment is being proposed for Block U, the proposed site for the new Multnomah County Health Department Headquarters. The change would enable the County to construction a building with a height of up to 150′. The site is currently zoned for 75′ maximum height, which the County believes in inadequate to support the 150,000 sq ft building they are proposing.

Current policy is to protect views of the Union Station clock tower from four locations: along NW 6th Ave; from the east bank of the Willamette at N Thunderbird Way; from the Steel Bridge; and from the Broadway Bridge. ZGF Architects have produced a number of images to illustrate the potential impact of a 150′ tall building from any of these designated points. An Economic, Social, Environmental and Energy Analysis by the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability found only minor impacts on the designated resource, which could be mitigated through the mandatory Design Review process and the provision of public amenities through bonuses and/or transfers.

mult_health_zoning_1

Weekly Roundup: Post Office Redevelopment, Portland Rock Gym, Block 26 affordable housing and more

Posted on April 5, 2015 by nextportland

Modera Pearl apartments

The Oregonian reported that the Portland Development Commission is close to striking a deal with ZRZ Realty for redevelopment of the Zidell Yards in South Waterfront.

According to the Mid-County Memo, the first tenants will move into Glisan Commons Phase II on April 15th. The building will be known as Gilman Court.

An expansion of the Portland Rock Gym will add 10,000 sq ft of new climbing terrain. The Portland Business Journal published images of what the finished project will look like.

Talks between the Portland Development Commission and USPS have resumed for the Post Office Redevelopment, which would free 14 acres of land in the Pearl District.

The planned Multnomah County Health Department Headquarters in Old Town will require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to increase the maximum heights from 75′ to 150′. As reported on page 10 of the Northwest Examiner [PDF] the changes are being opposed by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association.

The Portland Housing Bureau is close to striking a deal to purchase Block 26 from Hoyt Street Properties. This will enable to Bureau to develop another affordable housing project in the Pearl District.

The Portland Mercado opened this week. An article in The Oregonian looked at how the project will provide space and support for Latino business owners.

The Cash & Carry in the Pearl is moving to allow the construction of the Modera Pearl apartments. Work is expected to begin on the new building later this spring or early this summer.

Plaza del Toro, John Gorham’s new test kitchen and private event space in the Plow Works Building, will have a launch party on April 17th.

The Portland Mercury had a look inside the under construction Society Hotel. The new hotel in Old Town will have bunk beds starting at $35-40 a night.