Hyatt at the Oregon Convention Center | 180'-6" | 14 floors | Complete [Archive] - Page 7

hat

May 11, 2015, 4:32 PM

Metro and other agencies will give this project nearly $80 million from the outset, of which $60 million will be raised by issuing 30-year revenue bonds. The figures for the interest on those bonds come from this Metro factsheet (http://www.portlandonline.com/Fritz/index.cfm?a=459874&c=49205). They're Metro's own numbers:

If this project doesn't generate substantial new convention center business out of thin air, consistently over the next 30 years, then it won't in any way 'pay for itself' because the guests who will stay there and pay lodging tax would have come to Portland anyway and stayed in other hotels. The hotel is a gamble. And the risk is borne by Portland taxpayers, since Hyatt gets its $80 million subsidy upfront.

As a side-note, there's no reason why this sort of creative financing (spending money now and paying for it out of future tax revenues) couldn't also be used to generate money for progressive things like housing and transport. LA did just that under mayor Villaraigosa, aiming to finish 30 years of planned mass transit projects in ten. Too bad Portland isn't following their example.

Denver similarly had its light rail paid for in part by corporate sponsors. I would much prefer the money risk associated with the Hyatt to be used on improving mass transit. Priorities. On the other hand LA proper is one of the densest cities in the US, and Portland on of the least.

maccoinnich

May 11, 2015, 10:12 PM

We live in a political world where it's easy to drop $139 million on luring the convention industry or billions and billions creating a new bridge across the Columbia for freight traffic. But nobody's talking about spending $139 million to hire new bus drivers or new teachers or to build affordable or public housing. Why not?

Neither Metro, City of Portland or Multnomah County is responsible for operating or funding TriMet or Portland Public Schools (housing I'll give you). Unless I'm mistaken TriMet just finished building the $1.5 billion Orange Line, and has consistently been adding bus service for the last couple years. In 2012 the voters approved a $482 million bond measure to rebuild Portland's schools; construction has just begun at Roosevelt High School.

58rhodes

May 11, 2015, 11:31 PM

(moderator note - off topic quotes and reply deleted)

I was thinking the same thing.He apparently doesn't drive by a beautiful convention center that is missing a key element.

tworivers

May 12, 2015, 12:15 AM

(moderator note - off topic quotes and reply deleted)

Anyways, I was once in support of subsidizing the CC hotel. I am not in any way, nor will I ever be, supportive of subsidizing the construction of an enormous parking garage. If this was a world class design project with underground parking I'd be seduced.

I agree with encolpius that our priorities here are, to put it bluntly, fucked.

58rhodes

May 12, 2015, 3:48 AM

2oh1, this seems awfully close to suggesting that someone is not really welcome here. Personally, I'm finding this debate about neoliberalism interesting -- who cares if we don't all agree. I like reading all of the posts here. The only reason why I'm not participating is because I have a 2 month old at home and don't have enough time. It seems especially important to welcome forumers living overseas, or anyone for that matter who can bring a unique perspective here. IMO Portland does a great job of talking to itself, not such a good job (unless you work at Nike) of talking to, let alone giving an ear to, the rest of the world. It's getting better every day but I think that phenomenon is connected, along with a terrible public education system, to the deep seated provincialism of so many Portlanders.

Anyways, I was once in support of subsidizing the CC hotel. I am not in any way, nor will I ever be, supportive of subsidizing the construction of an enormous parking garage. If this was a world class design project with underground parking I'd be seduced.

I agree with encolpius that our priorities here are, to put it bluntly, fucked.
what are your priorities and why should the be the same as mine or anybody elses?

babs

May 12, 2015, 4:55 PM

I am not in any way, nor will I ever be, supportive of subsidizing the construction of an enormous parking garage. If this was a world class design project with underground parking I'd be seduced.

100% in agreement with you!

PDXDENSITY

May 12, 2015, 11:06 PM

100% in agreement with you!

Me too, but just build the hotel and make the parking garage office or housing. There is big time demand in Lloyd right now.

PDXDENSITY

May 15, 2015, 3:40 PM

58rhodes

May 15, 2015, 3:59 PM

Looks like Kansas City might get a convention center hotel before we do. The design doesn't look as crappy as ours either. Looks more impactful and tall.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/article20668296.htmlThats always the way it goes in Portland.By the time a project is approved its cut up and split in half. Remember the 40 story tower that was to replace the Greygound bus station? or the 35 story Morrison Tower and the original Burnside bridge head tower that was to be 25 floors?. What ever happened to the 3rd and Oak tower that was to be 35 floors? That block has been setting empty since the 80s. To me these things do not represent a healthy city:shrug:

PDXDENSITY

May 15, 2015, 4:10 PM

58rhodes

May 15, 2015, 10:40 PM

(Moderator note - off topic comments are being deleted)

Anyway, back on topic, I hope this convention center hotel gets built. Any news recently? I really hope the design is greatly altered... I wish there was more height. Are there height restrictions for the site? I for one am surprised that it looks like the Doubletree at least so far. I would like it to resemble a couple of the 30 story Sowa Towers at least or even an Atwater Place.

PDXDENSITY

May 16, 2015, 3:11 PM

I for one am surprised that it looks like the Doubletree at least so far. I would like it to resemble a couple of the 30 story Sowa Towers at least or even an Atwater Place.

It's a gross, banal design at present. But at least it's something.

Tykendo

May 16, 2015, 4:51 PM

Thats always the way it goes in Portland.By the time a project is approved its cut up and split in half. Remember the 40 story tower that was to replace the Greygound bus station? or the 35 story Morrison Tower and the original Burnside bridge head tower that was to be 25 floors?. What ever happened to the 3rd and Oak tower that was to be 35 floors? That block has been setting empty since the 80s. To me these things do not represent a healthy city:shrug:

Great projects you mentioned. Frustration that everything seemed to get Stumped down (maybe real reason PDX is nicknamed "Stumptown"). Morrison Tower was designed by Architect Firm extraordinaire KPF, and at 30 storys with a spire that put the height over 500 ft. was down graded to the boring ODS, or odious, tower(Zzzzz). PAW seemed doomed to the same misfortune but was rescued by a strengthened economy and the vision of a homegrown company to see it through closer to the original proposal. Hopefully a trend to continue (Hello... Metro and the CCH) . But I don't remember a Greyhound land proposal at 40 storys. Can someone please find something and a possible rendering of that one. Oh what could have been. Even the original Koin Center plans by ZGF included one more tall tower next to Koin that was scrapped. So the building of PAW could be, and hopefully is, a new horizon of great things to come. Awesome post.

PDXDENSITY

May 16, 2015, 5:19 PM

Great projects you mentioned. Frustration that everything seemed to get Stumped down (maybe real reason PDX is nicknamed "Stumptown"). Morrison Tower was designed by Architect Firm extraordinaire KPF, and at 30 storys with a spire that put the height over 500 ft. was down graded to the boring ODS, or odious, tower(Zzzzz). PAW seemed doomed to the same misfortune but was rescued by a strengthened economy and the vision of a homegrown company to see it through closer to the original proposal. Hopefully a trend to continue (Hello... Metro and the CCH) . But I don't remember a Greyhound land proposal at 40 storys. Can someone please find something and a possible rendering of that one. Oh what could have been. Even the original Koin Center plans by ZGF included one more tall tower next to Koin that was scrapped. So the building of PAW could be, and hopefully is, a new horizon of great things to come. Awesome post.

Portland was naned stumptown because the clearing was filled with stumps after being clearcut. Not because our buildings are short.

58rhodes

May 16, 2015, 5:32 PM

Great projects you mentioned. Frustration that everything seemed to get Stumped down (maybe real reason PDX is nicknamed "Stumptown"). Morrison Tower was designed by Architect Firm extraordinaire KPF, and at 30 storys with a spire that put the height over 500 ft. was down graded to the boring ODS, or odious, tower(Zzzzz). PAW seemed doomed to the same misfortune but was rescued by a strengthened economy and the vision of a homegrown company to see it through closer to the original proposal. Hopefully a trend to continue (Hello... Metro and the CCH) . But I don't remember a Greyhound land proposal at 40 storys. Can someone please find something and a possible rendering of that one. Oh what could have been. Even the original Koin Center plans by ZGF included one more tall tower next to Koin that was scrapped. So the building of PAW could be, and hopefully is, a new horizon of great things to come. Awesome post.
The Hilton Executive tower was originally a 40 floor or so tower proposed by Shorenstein. they even had pics up on the old Greyhound site. then it sat and sat and sat then the pics came down and Hilton bought the site and we now have the Hilton executive suites which are 10 floors of parking and 200 or so hotel rooms.

PDXDENSITY

May 16, 2015, 5:38 PM

The Hilton Executive tower was originally a 40 floor or so tower proposed by Shorenstein. they even had pics up on the old Greyhound site. then it sat and sat and sat then the pics came down and Hilton bought the site and we now have the Hilton executive suites which are 10 floors of parking and 200 or so hotel rooms.

When was this proposed? Which recession affected it? Portland just tends to have bad luck with proposing big projects right before a recession, in my opinion. We have been steadily growing since 1990.

58rhodes

May 16, 2015, 5:41 PM

I also remember the one next to Koin Center a tall wide but thin designed by SOM i think
Pendleton block if I remember

PDXDENSITY

May 16, 2015, 5:44 PM

I also remember the one next to Koin Center a tall wide but thin designed by SOM i think
Pendleton block if I remember

I'd like to know which recession ended these :)

58rhodes

May 16, 2015, 5:46 PM

I'd like to know which recession ended these :)
the developers went to Seattle instead. I guess they dont have recessions?

PDXDENSITY

May 16, 2015, 5:52 PM

the developers went to Seattle instead. I guess they dont have recessions?

Yeah, that still doesn't give me the information I asked for since you know so much about these projects.

And clarify what you mean by "go to seattle." I dont see any facts behind these developers going up there. And since Seattle is a seaport city, not a riverport, they bounce back from recessions faster. Not to mention the bigger population already there.

58rhodes

May 17, 2015, 7:49 AM

Yeah, that still doesn't give me the information I asked for since you know so much about these projects.

And clarify what you mean by "go to seattle." I dont see any facts behind these developers going up there. And since Seattle is a seaport city, not a riverport, they bounce back from recessions faster. Not to mention the bigger population already there.
I would love to talk about but it would be off topic

maccoinnich

Jun 24, 2015, 6:32 PM

Drawings (http://efiles.portlandoregon.gov/Record/7796353/File/Document) [PDF] for Design Advice #3, scheduled for July 9th.

2oh1

Jun 24, 2015, 6:47 PM

I'll be glad to see this get built, but... wow is that underwhelming. And the parking garage is terrible. Is that nasty metal panelling on the garage? Oh, come on!

curt-pdx

Jun 24, 2015, 9:03 PM

The first GROAN is page 1 - "Arrivals & Edges" - really? However in defense of the block 49 parking ramp, the bike parking on the first floor seems thought out and cool - our first "european" bike ramp! And the potential for cloaking the ramp in future office space seems like a great addition. The "quiet tower" however only seems like a polite way to say "boring".

maccoinnich

Jun 24, 2015, 9:17 PM

The "future office" will never happen.

Abide

Jun 24, 2015, 10:05 PM

At this point, I'll be glad if this project died. Once they build this crap, it'll be there for a looooong time. There have GOT TO BE better ideas! Oy.

2oh1

Jun 24, 2015, 10:23 PM

At this point, I'll be glad if this project died. Once they build this crap, it'll be there for a looooong time. There have GOT TO BE better ideas! Oy.

I hope it doesn't die... but you're right... There have to be better ideas. I don't understand what they're going for here at all. curt-pdx mentioned the Quiet Tower remark from the link. That really jumped out for me. Why take a dull approach with a location that practically demands standing out?

58rhodes

Jun 24, 2015, 11:57 PM

I hope it doesn't die... but you're right... There have to be better ideas. I don't understand what they're going for here at all. curt-pdx mentioned the Quiet Tower remark from the link. That really jumped out for me. Why take a dull approach with a location that practically demands standing out?
Seems to me its about how to get 600 hotel rooms for as cheap as possible.

QAtheSky

Jun 25, 2015, 2:31 AM

Ugh, terribly uninspired. Although its not attractive there seems to have been more work put into the parking garage than the actual hotel facade.

The only, and I stress only, improvement from the sketches before this is that there is no longer a giant retaining wall separating the MAX stop from the hotel entryway.

baloneyjoe

Jun 25, 2015, 3:36 AM

Also, "Dicotomy"? Are they planning landscaping only with plants that are Dicots? The "Dichotomy" between the tone and the content of this proposal is striking.

Tykendo

Jun 25, 2015, 4:00 AM

Wow! That's really mediocre. I actually like the screening on the parking structure. They should cover up that beast(hotel) with that same screening. For a city the size of Portland, that's downright shameful. Uninspired architecture. BOOOOOOOO. And super stumpy as well. Brutal. Looks like an infill hotel stuffed in an area for room purposes only. Shoot! alofts have more designer details.

Tykendo

Jun 25, 2015, 4:05 AM

Oh wait, I have an idea. How 'bout, Motel 6 Suites.

PacificNW

Jun 25, 2015, 4:43 AM

Posted my comment in a moment of frustration...Not worth the time to read it..

tworivers

Jun 25, 2015, 5:07 AM

I don't know, I've seen worse. If the quality of materials used is high I could see it being passable. That being said, it is obviously a failure of the imagination, particularly after looking at the initial Snohetta market proposals. I'd like to see some photo-realistic renders -- surely these people can afford it.

The "quiet tower" thing is just embarrassing. Maybe LRS or Sera should change their tagline to something like "quiet is the only thing we know how to build"...although in fairness to the hotel architects the cheap crap that LRS and their ilk specialize in is rarely "quiet" in its ugly, hardie-plank mediocrity. I don't understand why the hotel "must" defer to the OCC glass towers. This seems like the exact opposite thinking that a firm like Snohetta (Or Allied Works, or WPA, or Holst) would bring to the project. Why not engage in a memorable, striking conversation with those glass towers?

Lastly, as as already been said here, subsidizing a 6-story parking garage (which looks suspiciously demure in these renderings) should be a non-starter in 2015 Portland.

maccoinnich

Jun 25, 2015, 6:33 AM

I don't understand why the hotel "must" defer to the OCC glass towers.

I saw Bob Frasca (the "F" in ZGF) speak a few years back. As part of his talk he discussed the design intent behind the Oregon Convention Center. With the site being located outside of downtown the architects felt that they needed something that would create a visual connection behind downtown and the new convention center. The towers were the response to this problem. They serve absolutely no functional purpose (it was the 1980s after all) and are there just for looks.

As a design solution I would say that they've been quite successful at this. They are very prominent when seen from the waterfront, and always will be given that nothing can be built in front of them. But I think it's possible to maintain this original idea while building something tall or striking behind them. Indeed something that marks the skyline there would actually reinforce the original idea of tying the Lloyd District to Downtown.

2oh1

Jun 25, 2015, 7:44 AM

I don't understand why the hotel "must" defer to the OCC glass towers.

Honestly, I think a giant curtain wall of glass on all sides would be far more attractive than what they've presented us with.

zilfondel

Jun 25, 2015, 2:42 PM

Its pretty obvious from looking at the design drawings that they are going for the cheapest possible solution, and the entire development team is designing extremely conservatively. That is probably a response by the opponents of Metro who don't think the agency should build anything, anywhere.

However, when you design such mediocrity for such a high-profile site/building, you don't inspire the public to back your proposal. These projects need to be flashy and draw attention, not be boring.

Encolpius

Jun 25, 2015, 2:57 PM

I disagree with all the posters arguing this hotel needs to 'shout' some kind of strident architectural statement loud enough to be heard over the gigantic and pointless glass towers of the OCC. Not every building has to be loud; Portland is not the Vegas Strip.

Moreover, this is not the kind of building that should be iconic or neighborhood-defining -- after all, it's intended to be used by visitors to our city. If you travel to, say, Niagara Falls, you don't want to stay in a hotel that screams 'look at me' -- you're there to see everything but the hotel, after all. Same if you travel to Paris. Therefore, the striking architectural statements should be made by the buildings surrounding this one. Ideally, every hotel should be a 'quiet' building submerged in the bustling activity of the neighborhood around it. Again, unless that hotel is on the Vegas Strip.

Oh, and please, let's not waste any more public resources than necessary dressing up this extravagant gift from taxpayers to Hyatt. There are plenty of truly public projects, publicly owned and civic in character, meant for Portlanders, not for privileged high-spenders from out of town, that could use a larger budget to produce impressive architecture.

maccoinnich

Jul 8, 2015, 8:18 PM

Summary memo (http://efiles.portlandoregon.gov/Record/7809238/File/Document) [PDF] to the Design Commission. Design Advice Request #3 is being held tomorrow.

Tykendo

Jul 9, 2015, 3:35 AM

Somebody with some vision, and ART-catecture ability please go and coach'em up. that Motel 6 Suites design ain't gonna fly.

ORNative

Jul 10, 2015, 3:55 PM

Anybody else attend the Design Review Commission hearing last night? Commission ripped into design team. Half hour spent on the failure to create a grand entrance from the light rail station. One of the three at the table on behalf the design team was from Minneapolis. When a commission member authoritatively and directly told them that in March it was very clear that there needed to be direct path from the station to the lobby without barriers and stairs, the Minneapolis gentlemen (under his breath) said "I'd just take a cab from the airport." I stayed for the first hour, but it was NOT a warm reception for anything on the convention center side of the building. Design Commission wants the building to open up with a grand entrance at the light rail station. Something to say You're in Portland, Welcome.

maccoinnich

Jul 10, 2015, 5:24 PM

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but the audio (http://efiles.portlandoregon.gov/Record/7821511/File/Document/) [MP3 - 160MB] is up.

babs

Jul 10, 2015, 5:31 PM

ORNative

Jul 10, 2015, 5:41 PM

The discussion worked its way around the building, starting with the public plaza at Holladay and MLK, then working its way toward the garage. I left just before they discussed the garage. The presentation from the developer did nothing to improve my impression of the garage.

I was impressed by the development team's ideas to capture the area's water runoff and incorporate it into the architecture and landscaping.

Tykendo

Jul 12, 2015, 12:44 AM

Wow! Didn't see that happening. This design is complete, utter, crap! Shameful for a city like Portland. It's Motel 6 Suites, Period. Time to go back to the drawing board, or get a REAL architect to design it.

maccoinnich

Jul 29, 2015, 10:28 PM

Portland convention center hotel project clears another legal challenge

http://imgick.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width960/img/oregonian/photo/2015/03/14/-f5f15a3de5fd7e0b.jpg

Metro's plan for a hotel near its Oregon Convention Center cleared another legal hurdle Wednesday as the project moves closer to groundbreaking.

The Oregon Court of Appeals knocked down one of several efforts by opponents to block the project, upholding an earlier decision by Multnomah Circuit Court Judge Eric Bloch. Opponents said they would appeal to the state's highest court.

"Today's decision by Oregon's intermediate appellate court deprives voters of the right to vote on a hugely significant financial project," said attorney Jim McDermott in an email. "So we intend to appeal this important decision to the Oregon Supreme Court."

...continues at the Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/07/portland_convention_center_hot_1.html#incart_river).

maccoinnich

Nov 13, 2015, 1:59 AM

Oregon Convention Center hotel challenge goes to state Supreme Court

http://image.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width960/img/oregonian/photo/2015/03/14/-f5f15a3de5fd7e0b.jpg

The Oregon Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging the Metro regional government's efforts to build a 600-room Hyatt Regency hotel near the Oregon Convention Center.

The challenge was rejected earlier this year by the Oregon Court of Appeals and in 2014 by the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Opponents of the $212 million project sought to refer to voters Multnomah County's decision to reallocate lodging taxes toward $60 million in revenue bonds that would help pay for the hotel. But the courts have so far agreed with the county that the decision was administrative and not legislative and therefore not eligible for the ballot.

...continues at the Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/11/oregon_convention_center_hotel.html#incart_river_index).

Abide

Nov 13, 2015, 10:42 PM

Sheesh, the supreme court is really going to have to staff up if every new project proposed in the metro is going to start making it to their doorstep.

maccoinnich

Dec 14, 2015, 8:02 PM

The Convention Center hotel is in for Design Review.

urbanlife

Dec 14, 2015, 8:44 PM

The Convention Center hotel is in for Design Review.

I can't believe this might actually happen. It will definitely a great move forward for Portland and might actually help stabilize our rapidly rising hotel rates.

cityscapes

Dec 14, 2015, 10:21 PM

Have any updated renderings been uploaded to e-files lately? I feel like I've only seen more detailed drawings of the hotel base but none that show a more finalized tower portion.

maccoinnich

Dec 14, 2015, 10:48 PM

Drawings don't seem to get posted until a week or two before the hearing. I'd guess at a March hearing at the very soonest.

Tykendo

Dec 18, 2015, 12:49 AM

Cleveland's 650 room CCH is looking fantastic. I surely hope the architects have stepped their game up. That early concept above is hideous, and lacks any imagination.

Tykendo

Dec 18, 2015, 1:17 AM

I would love to see a design that plays off the curving façade and the green glass of the CC. To me, a lot of glass is a necessity for this design. The first concept was head and shoulders better than that crap above.

maccoinnich

Jan 12, 2016, 8:10 PM

Despite lawsuit, Oregon Convention Center Hotel backers still target 2018 opening

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/5798321/occ-hotel-040215.jpg

There have been no bonds issued yet, no ground broken, and the land due north of the Oregon Convention Center sits as empty and quiet today as it has been for years.

Even so, backers of the proposed Oregon Convention Center Hotel, a $212 million, 600-room hotel planned for the site, are confident that a 2018 completion date is still on the table.

"Yes, 2018 is still what we're talking about," said Stephanie Soden, director of communications and strategic development for Metro. "We are still proceeding, though there's not a lot new going on right now."

According to Soden, the developer of the hotel, Mortenson Development, is continuing to work through the design phase of the project, and Metro is still planning for a bond issuance late this fall.

...continues at the Portland Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2016/01/despite-lawsuit-oregon-convention-center-hotel.html).

maccoinnich

Jan 22, 2016, 9:24 PM

Path clear for Oregon Convention Center hotel after opponents reach settlement with Metro

http://image.oregonlive.com/home/olive-media/width960/img/oregonian/photo/2015/03/14/-f5f15a3de5fd7e0b.jpg

After years of court battles, the path toward Metro's 600-room Hyatt Regency hotel near the Oregon Convention Center appears to be clear. The regional government and its opponents announced a settlement Friday.

The Oregon Supreme Court had been set to hear a legal challenge March 7 from a coalition of hotel owners led by financier Gordon Sondland's Provenance Hotels. The opponents of the $212 million convention center hotel project sought to refer to voters Multnomah County's decision to reallocate lodging taxes toward $60 million in revenue bonds that would help pay for the Hyatt Regency.

The challenge had been previously rejected by the Oregon Court of Appeals and the Multnomah County Circuit Court, which agreed with the county that the decision was administrative and not legislative and therefore not eligible for the ballot. The courts ruled opponents can't challenge the county's ability to decide how to use a tax it already collects.

...continues at the Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2016/01/path_cleared_for_convention_ce.html#incart_2box_business).

pdxtraveler

Jan 22, 2016, 9:52 PM

Finally!!! I wish they didn't have to pay ransom for it, but time to go!!!

2oh1

Jan 22, 2016, 10:09 PM

ORNative

Jan 22, 2016, 10:10 PM

I don't see how they'll break ground this year though. They haven't made it through the design commission and aren't scheduled for a hearing any time soon. After the design commission signs off (and they have been very critical so far) then they have to secure permits. For such a large project they seem to be behind the power curve.

innovativethinking

Jan 22, 2016, 11:02 PM

babs

Jan 22, 2016, 11:08 PM

I sure am glad this Hotel will finally be built, and I hope the developer doesn't pull a Skylab switcheroo with the design we ultimately get.

I'll take Skylab over this piece of architectural junk. The above ground parking garage is the worst part of the package.

PacificNW

Jan 22, 2016, 11:10 PM

I'll take Skylab over this piece of architectural junk. The above ground parking garage is the worst part of the package.

I agree!

RED_PDXer

Jan 23, 2016, 2:36 AM

From what I've seen, this project belongs in the 1990s. It's far from architecturally innovative. I suppose it's better than a vacant lot, but we can do better, particularly with public subsidies.

WestCoast

Jan 23, 2016, 3:41 PM

From what I've seen, this project belongs in the 1990s. It's far from architecturally innovative.

No one disagrees, it's pretty drab. But, doesn't matter, it's 20 years late, let's get it built so our city can start competing with the Boise and Bilox's of the world that already have convention center hotels in their cities.

urbanlife

Jan 23, 2016, 7:38 PM

PDXtraveler nailed it. That's ransom, and unless I'm reading it wrong, it shouldn't be legal. In order to end the lawsuit and prevent future lawsuits, Metro is giving them a lot worth 1.94 million, or maybe even as much as ten million. And then Metro might then pay them $100,000 a year to lease that parking lot in order to build on it? Talk about turning a frivolous lawsuit into a payday.

I sure am glad this Hotel will finally be built, and I hope the developer doesn't pull a Skylab switcheroo with the design we ultimately get.

Pretty much, but that is how Provenance Hotels and Gordon Sondland function, they didn't care if this hotel got built or not, they just wanted to make sure they squeezed money out of the city and metro. I am still waiting for the day he gets arrested for fraud or something like that.

urbanlife

Jan 23, 2016, 7:41 PM

From what I've seen, this project belongs in the 1990s. It's far from architecturally innovative. I suppose it's better than a vacant lot, but we can do better, particularly with public subsidies.

To be fair, it was probably designed in the 90's and has waited this long to be built. Though I agree, I want to see this finally get built because it seems 20 years overdue, but it would be nice to see a better design that better fits in happen.

Though unlike others, the parking garage part doesn't actually bother me as long as the first floor is active retail space or something like that.

maccoinnich

Feb 9, 2016, 1:54 AM

Oh boy.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08_zpsxcw4zaoh.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/maccoinnich/media/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08_zpsxcw4zaoh.jpg.html)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08-2_zpsahe2bfd7.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/maccoinnich/media/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08-2_zpsahe2bfd7.jpg.html)

From a PDC report (http://www.pdc.us/Libraries/Board_Reports/Report_16-08_pdf.sflb.ashx) [PDF].

Derek

Feb 9, 2016, 1:57 AM

This city is so embarrassing sometimes.

Sioux612

Feb 9, 2016, 2:12 AM

How do you take attention off an eyesore (The Yard)?

Add a bigger eyesore.

Holy sh**.

:runaway:

MarkDaMan

Feb 9, 2016, 2:38 AM

This is absolutely ridiculous. Trimet doesn't need to be paying $7M or $8M so they can have more central city parking for their employees. Should they really need more parking, the underused Smart Park, just on the other side of the Steel Bridge, could be better utilized.

This POS really will cost $25.8M? Around $61,000 per parking spot!?!? Can't we get an under the hotel garage for that amount?

PacificNW

Feb 9, 2016, 3:04 AM

:omg:

athorak

Feb 9, 2016, 3:54 AM

That is horrific.

Abide

Feb 9, 2016, 4:43 AM

Good God! That corner stairway reminds me of the Linden, and that's NOT a good thing.

ZigzagMan

Feb 9, 2016, 5:12 AM

What the hell is that??

urbanlife

Feb 9, 2016, 5:26 AM

PacificNW

Feb 9, 2016, 5:36 AM

i am beginning to think legalizing weed might have been a bad idea....

:);):d

tworivers

Feb 9, 2016, 5:48 AM

Truly embarrassing. DR should be worth a listen ;-)

Who would have guessed that Portland would be building a taxpayer-subsidized multi-story parking garage on a MAX line in 2016? Not I.

urbanlife

Feb 9, 2016, 6:54 AM

Truly embarrassing. DR should be worth a listen ;-)

Who would have guessed that Portland would be building a taxpayer-subsidized multi-story parking garage on a MAX line in 2016? Not I.

Exactly, the only place this should be acceptable is at a park and ride spot along the MAX.

cityscapes

Feb 9, 2016, 7:19 AM

It looks like Hotel Eastlund before it got renovated.

maccoinnich

Feb 9, 2016, 8:28 AM

It looks like Hotel Eastlund before it got renovated.

Best description yet.

65MAX

Feb 9, 2016, 9:05 AM

That CANNOT be the final design. There's absolutely no way that will ever pass design review.

Oh boy.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08_zpsxcw4zaoh.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/maccoinnich/media/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08_zpsxcw4zaoh.jpg.html)

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08-2_zpsahe2bfd7.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/maccoinnich/media/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08-2_zpsahe2bfd7.jpg.html)

From a PDC report (http://www.pdc.us/Libraries/Board_Reports/Report_16-08_pdf.sflb.ashx) [PDF].

bvpcvm

Feb 9, 2016, 4:10 PM

Can someone eli5 who's behind this project to begin with and specifically who is insisting on this parkinv garage?

2oh1

Feb 9, 2016, 7:26 PM

That's nasty.

My god, the street level retail looks like it's been modeled after a strip mall.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b112/maccoinnich/skyscraperpage/convention%20center%20hotel/Report%2016-08-2_zpsahe2bfd7.jpg

Nasty. And that's not even one of the worst parts of the design. Nas-ass-asty. Nasty.

BrG

Feb 9, 2016, 7:29 PM

Aesthetically it seems to fit in with what ESG Architects does for its major hotel clients. Ditto for Mortenson's Hotel development work.

http://www.esgarch.com/projects/ (click on 'hospitality')

https://www.mortenson.com/development

Tykendo

Feb 10, 2016, 12:23 AM

Motel 6 Suites @ the OCC. Awesome. Design is shameful.

babs

Feb 11, 2016, 12:39 AM

Why is there a Trimet logo on the parking garage? Is this going to be some sick example of a park and ride lot right next to downtown?

MarkDaMan

Feb 11, 2016, 12:56 AM

Why is there a Trimet logo on the parking garage? Is this going to be some sick example of a park and ride lot right next to downtown?

Because TriMet would like to pay $7 to $8 MILLION for 50 parking spots for their central city employees. Without their contributions, it's unlikely the PDC can fund the garage. The average cost per parking space in this garage is around $61,000. TriMet's contribution would value their spots at $160,000 each (At the $8M figure). It makes absolutely no sense to me.

babs

Feb 11, 2016, 6:16 AM

Because TriMet would like to pay $7 to $8 MILLION for 50 parking spots for their central city employees. Without their contributions, it's unlikely the PDC can fund the garage. The average cost per parking space in this garage is around $61,000. TriMet's contribution would value their spots at $160,000 each (At the $8M figure). It makes absolutely no sense to me.

Whhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaattttttttttttt?
Seven million of our transit dollars are being used to pay for this ugly parking garage rather than fix the reliability of MAX?

Something is really wrong with this.

MarkDaMan

Feb 11, 2016, 7:39 PM

There's an updated Hyatt rendering in the link, I just didn't have time to pull it over here.

PDC gives the go-ahead to build $26M parking garage for Convention Center hotel
Feb 11, 2016, 10:55am PST
Jon Bell
Staff Reporter
Portland Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2016/02/pdc-gives-the-go-ahead-to-build-26m-parking-garage.html?ana=e_ptl_real&s=newsletter&ed=2016-02-11&u=kFaEqOvgXoyG8%2FwIKsmMtmSIXCT&t=1455219036

There's a 600-room hotel coming to land just across from the Oregon Convention Center, and thanks to a vote by the Portland Development Commission yesterday, a 425-stall parking garage across the street is on its way as well.

PDC gave the go-ahead yesterday for Mortenson Development, the same firm that will build the Oregon Convention Center Hotel, to design and construction the Convention Center Hotel Parking Garage. The project is estimated to cost no more than $25.9 million.

According to information from PDC, the parking garage, to be built on PDC-owned property at the corner of Northeast First Avenue and Northeast Holladay Street, will have 425 stalls, 375 of which will be dedicated to the new hotel.

The remaining 50 spaces and some additional ground-floor commercial space will be sold to TriMet, which has wanted to own a facility close to its nearby Rose Quarter Transit Center for some time.

The garage will also be built to support additional vertical square footage in case PDC decides in the future to add onto the structure.

Construction is set to begin in January 2017 and finish in January 2019, which is when the hotel is scheduled for completion as well. PDC will own the garage upon its completion and either the hotel's owner, Hyatt, or a third party will operate it.

Net operating income is estimated to be about $1.8 million by 2020, with annual cash flow after debt service of about $500,000. PDC will receive all the income from the garage minus expenses and management fees.

"It will become an income generator for PDC," said PDC public affairs manager Shawn Uhlman.

Construction of the garage will be funded by an interfund loan or loans from the Oregon Convention Center URA Fund to the Business Management Fund. The loans will be repaid in part by future proceeds generated by the parking garage and the sale of the portion of the garage to TriMet. That sale price is expected to be between $7 million and $8 million.

For years, the Oregon Convention Center Hotel project remained in limbo as opponents sought to derail it. In January, however, opponents reached a deal with Metro and other supporters to drop pending lawsuits and clear the way for construction to begin.

maccoinnich

Feb 11, 2016, 8:26 PM

I used internet magic to get a link to the image:

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/8553512/occh-v1z120815.jpg

Derek

Feb 11, 2016, 9:04 PM

Looks remarkably like an updated version of the DoubleTree down the street. :yuck:

pdxtraveler

Feb 11, 2016, 9:06 PM

Looks remarkably like an updated version of the DoubleTree down the street. :yuck:

I was going to say, "oh, come on! Lighten up!" But then I looked and you were exactly right! lol!

ZigzagMan

Feb 11, 2016, 9:19 PM

Why didn't they just make this vertically tall? Why so wide?

2oh1

Feb 11, 2016, 11:56 PM

I used internet magic to get a link to the image:

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/8553512/occh-v1z120815.jpg

It's like they're going out of their way to make the tower look dated and make the base look jumbled. And that garage. OMFG.

urbanlife

Feb 12, 2016, 12:04 AM

It's like they're going out of their way to make the tower look dated and make the base look jumbled. And that garage. OMFG.

On the bright side, it looks like it is better connected to the light rail stop than before.

zilfondel

Feb 12, 2016, 12:08 AM

That CANNOT be the final design. There's absolutely no way that will ever pass design review.

Aesthetically it seems to fit in with what ESG Architects does for its major hotel clients. Ditto for Mortenson's Hotel development work.

http://www.esgarch.com/projects/ (click on 'hospitality')

https://www.mortenson.com/development

Wow, this is the best Portland can do?

Time to start over. Fire the architect, hire a world class one. This is an embarrassment!

zilfondel

Feb 12, 2016, 12:24 AM

Looks remarkably like an updated version of the DoubleTree down the street. :yuck:

I was going to say, "oh, come on! Lighten up!" But then I looked and you were exactly right! lol!

I suspect it may have actually been used as a precedent for this project.

Cleveland's 650 room CCH is looking fantastic. I surely hope the architects have stepped their game up. That early concept above is hideous, and lacks any imagination.

Holy shit, you aren't kidding:

A few recent pics:

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/clehilton120715.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208483&page=3

The contrast to what we're getting is striking. Well, you can't downplay the effectiveness of Design Review, eh?