James Beard Public Market | Proposed

[DMH]

Originally Posted by uncommon.name

Article says it will be the ground floor only at 38,000 sq ft. By comparison, the new Terminal 1 Public Market on the Vancouver Waterfront is slated to be 40,000 sq ft.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, in this SW 6th & Alder location, the Market might expand in the future into the ground floors of adjacent historic buildings on that block. Such an organic expansion would be like many through-block public markets I have visited in foreign countries. As for the comparison with Pike Place Market in Seattle, it is a labyrinth of different buildings stitched together and surely did not cover 9 acres when it started. The Granville public market in Vancouver BC was not very large when I visited it at its opening which I believe was in the mid-80s. At that time I questioned whether it would succeed at such a remote location from Downtown Vancouver, but eventually it thrived. I think the James Beard Public Market at this central location has a strong chance of thriving and growing.

[maccoinnich]

Also, while I'd have loved it if the Snøhetta concept had been built—it wasn't. This is a concept that seems achievable within the next couple years.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

The low rise building that they're purchasing is 17,290 sq ft, according to Portland Maps. To get to 38,000 sq ft they must be using the lower two floors of the Selling Building, as implied by the storefront remodel in the renderings and the description of an "atrium" and "a grand staircase".

At 38,000 sq ft it's true that it isn't going eclipse Pike Place Market (but it's also worth noting only a relatively small part of that market is dedicated to fresh food). But it will be 8x times the size of the old City Market on Northwest, 4x the size of the Pine Street Market and about a third larger than Whole Foods in the Pearl. That's a pretty substantial destination.

The low-rise building also has two floors. Maybe they propose to demo the second floor of the low building to create a high open space with skylights to brighten the main entrance and central space of the Market. That would make a lot of sense.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Also, while I'd have loved it if the Snøhetta concept had been built—it wasn't. This is a concept that seems achievable within the next couple years.

Exactly, this finally seems like something that is more than some concept drawings.

[sopdx]

[QUOTE=maccoinnich;10309437]The low rise building that they're purchasing is 17,290 sq ft, according to Portland Maps. To get to 38,000 sq ft they must be using the lower two floors of the Selling Building, as implied by the storefront remodel in the renderings and the description of an "atrium" and "a grand staircase".

Hopefull it can foster an entire market district

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by DMH

As I mentioned in my earlier post, in this SW 6th & Alder location, the Market might expand in the future into the ground floors of adjacent historic buildings on that block. Such an organic expansion would be like many through-block public markets I have visited in foreign countries. As for the comparison with Pike Place Market in Seattle, it is a labyrinth of different buildings stitched together and surely did not cover 9 acres when it started. The Granville public market in Vancouver BC was not very large when I visited it at its opening which I believe was in the mid-80s. At that time I questioned whether it would succeed at such a remote location from Downtown Vancouver, but eventually it thrived. I think the James Beard Public Market at this central location has a strong chance of thriving and growing.

I am excited that it is finally happening and it would be amazing if it continues to grow as a through-block public market and/or even expands upward into the additional floors of the taller building.

[downtownpdx]

What awesome news! So great to have this near literally everything -- Pioneer Square, all light rail lines, shopping, hotels. I really hope they can reconstruct the buildings with atriums and lots of light, and as mentioned above be the start of a market district.

While it isn't on the scale of Pike (yet) this is a massive attraction that will be running 24/7/365 -- that is a huge injection for the city center at a time when we couldn't need it more.

[downtownpdx]

The adjacent building on that block to the south, where Wells Fargo has a branch at 6th/Morrison, is gorgeous. Would be a fantastic place for future expansion, with the market facing Pioneer Square. Those banks on Morrison and Yamhill are such energy killers for a retail district.

Screen Shot 2024-10-28 at 5.51.34 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2024-10-28 at 5.49.28 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

[subterranean]

Neat.

[HillsboroTech]

I really hope they can extend it to the building on Morrison where Wells Fargo currently is on the ground floor. Would love to see Pioneer Square and this feed off each others energy.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

The adjacent building on that block to the south, where Wells Fargo has a branch at 6th/Morrison, is gorgeous. Would be a fantastic place for future expansion, with the market facing Pioneer Square. Those banks on Morrison and Yamhill are such energy killers for a retail district.

Screen Shot 2024-10-28 at 5.51.34 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2024-10-28 at 5.49.28 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Imagine a future primary entrance to the Market passing under the ornate historic entrance canopy on SW Morrison (shown in the photo above) through the main doors of the American Bank Building.

The two buildings on SW Alder are owned by two different old Portland families who are cooperating on the James Beard Public Market. The American Bank Building was purchased a year ago by another old Portland family, the Menashes. They only paid $13.6 million. In 2014, the building sold for $45.1 million, so the Menashes got a great deal. Seems to me there is a great opportunity here for them to join in the Market's redevelopment potential.

[babs]

They have been talking about doing this for 30 years with little to show for it. I do hope this happen but what I think is different this time is that the downtown real estate market has fallen to the point where things like this are financially possible. So while the bad news is that there is an overwhelming amount of newly available real estate, the good news is that prices are coming down to the point where new projects are feasible. Could we see something similar in the future with the old Target space or the Macy's space across the street?

On an unrelated note, I see Chase is building a new branch in the old First Republic Bank spot on Broadway, is it safe to assume they are leaving the one by Pioneer Square? That's a huge opportunity for someone.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by DMH

Imagine a future primary entrance to the Market passing under the ornate historic entrance canopy on SW Morrison (shown in the photo above) through the main doors of the American Bank Building.

The two buildings on SW Alder are owned by two different old Portland families who are cooperating on the James Beard Public Market. The American Bank Building was purchased a year ago by another old Portland family, the Menashes. They only paid $13.6 million. In 2014, the building sold for $45.1 million, so the Menashes got a great deal. Seems to me there is a great opportunity here for them to join in the Market's redevelopment potential.

That’s great to hear, if they could really collaborate it would make this a stunning project.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by babs

They have been talking about doing this for 30 years with little to show for it. I do hope this happen but what I think is different this time is that the downtown real estate market has fallen to the point where things like this are financially possible. So while the bad news is that there is an overwhelming amount of newly available real estate, the good news is that prices are coming down to the point where new projects are feasible. Could we see something similar in the future with the old Target space or the Macy's space across the street?

On an unrelated note, I see Chase is building a new branch in the old First Republic Bank spot on Broadway, is it safe to assume they are leaving the one by Pioneer Square? That's a huge opportunity for someone.

At the very least I think the Macy’s space, and as far as Target space, will see some leasing activity with the added foot traffic this project will create downtown.

I’m so relieved this didn’t end up at omsi or south waterfront.

[maccoinnich]

I quibble with the dig at the Steel Bridge skatepark, but this is otherwise a good article.

The James Beard Public Market is The Win That Portland Needed
It turns out the answer was food all along.



What Paul Bocuse and Auguste Escoffier are to France, Artusi Pellegrino is to Italy, Patricia Quintana is to Mexico, and Gastón Acurio is to Peru, James Beard is to the United States: the central figure in shaping how we understand and enjoy food and cuisine. And like many of you, James Beard grew up in Portland, often citing Oregon and France as his two greatest inspirations in a career that literally changed the way Americans think about food. Like our culinary greats Naomi Pomeroy and Robert Reynolds, James Beard was one of us too.

To put that another way: America’s culinary revolution started in Oregon. A city in Europe or Latin America might name an airport after a figure of such magnitude, but in Portland, there isn’t even a plaque. And honestly, Oregon has done a better job telling the James Beard story at the state level than Portland, which has been hemming and hawing about this project for years—while championing a bunch of projects that made far less sense. (Like a $15 million skate park when we already have one).

But that is about to change. Finally.

With yesterday's announcement that the long-anticipated James Beard Public Market will open in Downtown Portland as soon as 2025, Portland is finally stepping up to claim an important piece of its own history and its place in America's culinary landscape, and this is a really big deal, a milestone in the city’s history, a jewel in the crown.

...continues at 'Food Cities' Substack.

[downtownpdx]

Great article, thanks for sharing. I hope the author is right and this project exceeds the vision and expectations of even its biggest supporters.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

I quibble with the dig at the Steel Bridge skatepark, but this is otherwise a good article.



...continues at 'Food Cities' Substack.

Last evening I attended a James Beard Public Market event and tour of the two buildings where it will be built. It was encouraging to see so many political folks and other influential types. A BofA executive delivered a $200K toward the purchase of the smaller building that will be the main market hall. I also talked with the principal and associate from BCV Architects which designed the public market in San Francisco's Ferry Building. They agreed with me that planning now should take into consideration possible future expansion of the Market into the American Bank Building for a direct connection to Pioneer Courthouse Square, and even expansion westward through another historic building, which would create an entrance on SW Broadway. They will try to get floor plans of the adjacent buildings to study expansion scenarios. Such a through-block public market would be fantastic.

[sopdx]

Originally Posted by DMH

Last evening I attended a James Beard Public Market event and tour of the two buildings where it will be built. It was encouraging to see so many political folks and other influential types. A BofA executive delivered a $200K toward the purchase of the smaller building that will be the main market hall. I also talked with the principal and associate from BCV Architects which designed the public market in San Francisco's Ferry Building. They agreed with me that planning now should take into consideration possible future expansion of the Market into the American Bank Building for a direct connection to Pioneer Courthouse Square, and even expansion westward through another historic building, which would create an entrance on SW Broadway. They will try to get floor plans of the adjacent buildings to study expansion scenarios. Such a through-block public market would be fantastic.

It would totally transform downtown.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by DMH

Last evening I attended a James Beard Public Market event and tour of the two buildings where it will be built. It was encouraging to see so many political folks and other influential types. A BofA executive delivered a $200K toward the purchase of the smaller building that will be the main market hall. I also talked with the principal and associate from BCV Architects which designed the public market in San Francisco's Ferry Building. They agreed with me that planning now should take into consideration possible future expansion of the Market into the American Bank Building for a direct connection to Pioneer Courthouse Square, and even expansion westward through another historic building, which would create an entrance on SW Broadway. They will try to get floor plans of the adjacent buildings to study expansion scenarios. Such a through-block public market would be fantastic.

This might be the first time I have really been excited about this market since it is finally starting to look like a reality and could have a lot of potential expansions in the block it will be on, which is also a cluster of historic buildings that will see some new life.

Also pretty cool that it is the location of one of the first Fred Meyer stores.

[babs]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

This might be the first time I have really been excited about this market since it is finally starting to look like a reality and could have a lot of potential expansions in the block it will be on, which is also a cluster of historic buildings that will see some new life.

Also pretty cool that it is the location of one of the first Fred Meyer stores.

This wasn't one of the first Fred Meyer stores. It opened in the mid 80s after the Morrison store closed due to Pioneer Place coming and was sold to Payless Drug Stores in the mid 90s.