Weekly Roundup: N Williams and Knott, OMSI Masterplan, Fair-Haired Dumbbell, and more

Posted on October 30, 2017 by nextportland

The OMSI Masterplan by Snøhetta and Mayer/Reed recently went in front of the Design Commission

The DJC reported that development at N Williams and Knott will wait a little longer* as a Prosper Portland oversight committee scrutinizes plans for the property.

Portland Architecture reported on the winners at the 2017 AIA Portland Architecture Awards. Projects in Portland that received prizes included the Japanese Garden Expansion and Pearl West.

The OMSI Masterplan could involve re-aligning SE Water Avenue and adding a two-way cycle track, according to BikePortland.

City Observatory noted that “‘For Rent’ signs are popping up all over Portland, signaling an easing of the housing crunch and foretelling falling rents.”

“With its wildly colorful artist-painted exterior, the Fair-Haired Dumbbell gives Portland a reason to smile,” according to an article in the Business Tribune.

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

Weekly Roundup: OHSU KCRB, 2869 NE Sandy, 3031 SE Powell, and more

Posted on April 10, 2017 by nextportland

Construction is underway on the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building

The DJC wrote about Maxine Fitzpatrick, executive director of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc, who hopes to build 1,000 affordable housing units over the course of 10 years*.

The Skanner News wrote about how displaced black residents will receive priority at PCRI’s Beatrice Morrow apartments.

The Hollywood Star News reported that demolition has begun on the existing structures that will be replaced by a 206-unit apartment building at 2869 NE Sandy Blvd.

The Business Tribune took a look at a day in the life of a carpenter working on the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building.

With another tenant signed at Pearl West, the building is nearing capacity, according to the Portland Business Journal.

The retailer that will replace AMF at 3031 SE Powell Blvd is Target, reported the Portland Mercury.

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

Weekly Roundup: Robert Sacks, Schools Bond, SolTerra, and more

Posted on January 23, 2017 by nextportland

A potential massing for a rebuilt Lincoln High School, by Bora Architects. Under this option the existing school would remain in operation while a new building is constructed where the football field is currently located.

According to The Oregonian, Portland Public Schools now plans to include complete modernization of three high schools, Lincoln, Benson and Madison, in its May 2017 bond measure.

In the wake of the NW Portland natural gas explosion, the DJC wrote about developer Robert Sacks’ plans to move forward*. Allied Works Architecture, who designed the damaged building 2281 NW Glisan, are preparing drawings that will allow the building to be rebuild. They are also working on designs for a new three-story building building at 510 NW 23rd Ave to replace the 111-year-old building that was destroyed.

Places Over Time looked at the 2016 works of architecture and urban planning that have “creatively added to the livability, artistry, and longevity of Portland’s built environment“, including Albina Yard, Pearl West and Milwaukie Way.

A 100-bed winter shelter has opened in the Washington Center, reported The Oregonian. The building is currently sitting vacant while developer Greystar and architects ZGF prepares plans for the 4W Tower.

The Portland Chronicle reported that a 106-year-old apartment complex and automotive repair shop at 1335 SE Stark St will be torn down to make way for a four-story, 39-unit apartment complex.

The DJC reported that design-build firm SolTerra has split into two businesses and laid off design professionals.

The Business Tribune asked developers if they would still build housing in PDX under the inclusionary zoning policy.

The Portland Business Journal looked at the 34 most prominent real estate projects to watch in 2017.

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

Weekly Roundup: Bing Sheldon, Tesla Showroom, NE 106th & Halsey and more

Posted on May 8, 2016 by nextportland

The proposed development at NE 106th & Halsey by Human Solutions, Inc.

Bing Sheldon, founder of SERA Architects, passed away at the age of 81. Sheldon was known for his work in historic preservation and for leading the Portland Planning Commission during the 1970s.

A new Tesla Showroom is planned at 4330 SW Macadam, which is the location of one of the gaps in the Willamette Greenway trail. BikePortland reported that the level of development proposed by Tesla will not be enough to trigger zoning code requirements to install the trail. If the trail is not installed as part of the development, it could be decades before the trail is completed.

The Mid County Memo reported that Human Solutions, Inc has won exclusive rights to negotiate with the Portland Development Commission to build an affordable housing development at NE 106th & Halsey. Their proposal would include 40 affordable residential units and a new headquarters for the non-profit, adjacent to the future Gateway Discovery Park. The architects selected for the projects are Holst.

The Portland Tribune looked at the cost of Portland Housing Bureau funded affordable housing. The recently announced Super NOFA projects have price ranges of $110,000 to $321,000 per unit, which some believe to be too high.

Yet another company has announced that they will move into the recently completed Pearl West office building, reported the Portland Business Journal. Vermont based marketing firm Fuse LLC will base 10 staff in the in the Regus flexible office space.

Weekly Roundup: 72Foster, University of Portland residences, 1320 Broadway and more

Posted on May 1, 2016 by nextportland

5350 N Willamette Blvd by Soderstrom Architects

New student housing at the University of Portland, by Soderstrom Architects

Eater PDX wrote that restaurant Touché is “in a weird sort of limbo” as they wait for news about the fate of their building. The historic Firehouse #3 may be demolished to make way for a 12 story building at 505 NW 14th Ave.

The Daily Journal of Commerce published photos of an under construction residence hall at the University of Portland. The building at 5350 N Willamette Blvd by Soderstrom Architects will include “three above-grade floors of student living units, a ground-floor student worship space, student lounge, and office/retail space.”

The Foster Powell blog wrote about the 72Foster affordable housing development, which will include 108 housing units and commercial space lining SE Foster.

The Oregonian reported that Portland area rents rose 13 percent over the past year, however noted that “a wave of new construction slowed the price appreciation a little since the fall and caused the vacancy rate to tick upward.”

Mayor Hales has proposed an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would prohibit new drive throughs in the Central City and limit them elsewhere, reports the Willamette Week.

A Vancouver, WA have donated $12 million to OHSU, which will go towards the patient housing being built as part of the Center for Health and Healing South project.

An 86 year old funeral home may be demolished, reported the Portland Chronicle. The building is located at 20 NE 14th Ave, a site where the Bureau of Development Services recently received an Early Assistance application to discuss a six-story mixed-use building with 190 residential units.

Elemental Technologies will move their headquarters into the 1320 Broadway building. The building was formerly home to The Oregonian, and is currently in the middle of a major renovation.

Portland Architecture talked with Stuart Emmons, an architect who is running against incumbent Steve Novick for a seat on the Portland City Council.

Portland International Airport is reevaluating its $98 million Concourse E Expansion, according to The Oregonian. Portland based Horizon Air recently ordered 30 Embraer E175 jets, which can be board via jetbridges. The airport’s original expansion plan was designed for the Bombardier Q400 plans Horizon currently flies, which typically board from the ground.

KPTV reported that a demonstration was held by the group “Stop Demolishing Portland” outside 3336 SE Belmont, which is set to be redeveloped with a three story mixed use building.

Coworking and shared office company Regus opened a space in the Pearl West office building this week, according to the Portland Business Journal.

The St Francis Park Apartments received a $9.5 million loan from KeyBank, reported the Portland Business Journal. The Central Eastside building will include 106 units of affordable housing.

Thru Magazine wrote about a Design Week Portland panel discussion about the future of the Central Eastside. The event was hosted by Bora Architects, who showcased their Water Avenue Yards concept.

The PSU Vanguard reported that the Portland State Vikings celebrated a groundbreaking for the PSU Viking Pavilion ahead of their annual spring game.

Weekly Roundup: Middle Middle Housing, Low Density Islands and more

Posted on April 24, 2016 by nextportland

Types of “missing middle” housing. Image by Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design.

Affordable housing developers and service providers are calling on the city to legalize the development of “missing middle” housing, according to Bike Portland. An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would make it possible to develop housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, internal home divisions and two-story garden apartments near designated centers is currently being debated by the City Council. The Portland Tribune reported that the amendment is facing opposition from groups such as the United Neighborhoods for Reform.

The Willamette Week reported that despite Portland’s push for new housing, the proposed Comprehensive Plan leaves islands of low density zoning along corridors such as inner Division, Hawthorne and Belmont.

The Business Tribune wrote about the “new vision for Lents”, including Oliver Station by Ankrom Moisan Architects. The mixed use development will replace the New Copper Penny bar, and will include 126 units of affordable housing and unit 19 units leased at market rates.

Grocery store Green Zebra opened its second store at Hassalo on Eighth, reported the Portland Business Journal.

Wacom has moved its North American headquarters from Vancouver, WA into the Pearl West office building. The Portland Business Journal published photos of their new space.

Portland Architecture published an interview with mayoral candidate Jules Bailey.

The Portland Housing Bureau announced the largest funding award in its history. $47 million will be allocated to eight affordable housing projects, including six new building with 585 units.

BikePortland wrote that the new Multnomah County Courthouse could include a raised bike lane at the approach to the Hawthorne Bridge.

The Portland Tribune wrote about the potential loss of Fire Station #3 in the Pearl, which could be torn down to make way for a 150 unit development at 505 NW 14th Ave.

Weekly Roundup: Knight Cancer Research Building, Zoom+, Overlook Restaurant and more

Posted on March 27, 2016 by nextportland

The OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building by SRG Partnership

The Portland Business Journal reported that Zoom+ will move its headquarters from Hillsboro into the Pearl West office building.

The Willamette Week asked “Has Portland City Hall Learned Its Lesson About Parking Spaces Raising Rents?”, in light of a proposal by the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to add minimum parking requirement in the Northwest District.

The Oregonian wrote about Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, which “may provide Portland a blueprint“.

After an Early Assistance request for a “proposed 5-story apartment building with underground parking” at 1332 N Skidmore, the Portland Mercury looked into whether the Overlook Restaurant might make way for redevelopment. According to the newspaper the development would include “248 units and 75 underground parking spaces, and [be] ‘anchored by a corner restaurant.'”

Writing in the Business Tribune, architecture journalist Brian Libby revealed that Multnomah County had failed to shortlist Pritzker Prize winning architect Rem Koolhaas for the Multnomah County Courthouse.

The Portland Business Journal published new images of the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building. The university expects to break ground on the project in mid-June.

The 25,000 sq ft New Seasons University Park opened on Wednesday.

Focus: 25 Office Buildings Planned for Portland

Posted on January 15, 2016 by nextportland

Pearl West by Hacker / GBD Architects, the first new office building to break ground in the Central City after the recession

While Portland has long been considered a desirable place to live, it has traditionally lagged its suburbs—Washington County particulary—in income and job growth. Following the recession this appears to have changed. Employers increasingly desire a location in central Portland. As commercial vacancy rates have dropped and rental rates gone up there has been a sudden influx of new office proposals.

The vast majority of these are speculative projects, where the developer starts work on the project without a specific tenant in mind. Only three of the buildings—the Daimler Trucks North America HQ, the Multnomah County Health Department HQ and the Seven Corners Community Collaborative—are planned for a specific end user.

Click through to see our roundup of the major projects going on right now, arranged in no specific order. Where a significant portion of the building will be used for functions other than office, the area of the office floors alone has been given. Note that the area of any building may not be directly comparable to another due to differences in methods for how floor area is calculated.

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

Weekly Roundup: Pearl West, Viking Pavilion, 1510 Technology Center and more

Posted on March 15, 2015 by nextportland

Pearl West will be the new North American headquarters for Wacom

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

Michael Graves, the architect of the Portland Building, passed away this week at the age of 80.

Wacom announced that they plan to move their North American from Vancouver, WA to the Pearl District. They will occupy three floors and 56,000 sq ft of the under construction Pearl West office building. They will also open a retail store on the ground floor.

The developers behind the James Beard Public Market briefed Multnomah County that they are looking at realigning the Morrison Bridge ramps at Naito.

Noraneko, a new ramen shop, opens today in the Pitman II restaurant building on SE Water Ave.

The state Higher Education Coordinating Commission approved the University of Oregon’s application to start a Master of Science in Sports Product Management. The program will be based in the Block 8L building in Old Town.

OHSU has committed $7.5 million to the $50 million PSU Viking Pavilion and Academic Center, which will allow the project to move ahead.

The Portland Business Journal published photos of the 1510 Technology Center, the former PGE operations facility in the Central Eastside that has been converted into new offices for Viewpoint Construction Software.

Seattle’s Urban Renaissance Group last year bought 1320 S.W. Broadway, the former home of the Oregonian. They plan a multimillion dollar renovation of the Pietro Belluschi designed building.