Pearl District News

[smendesPDX]

i love it!!

[Pearl_Steve]

The crane is coming down today.

[tworivers]

Too bad the whole building isn't coming down.

[Pearl_Steve]

The crane is coming down today.

[pdx2m2]

Tonight the Planning Commission approved the North Pearl Plan and it now goes to City Council for final approval.

Key elements of the North Pearl plan are increased FAR to eliminate the 2:1 that existed throughout most of the north pearl and an innovative new height strategy...most of the North Pearl other than the riverfront will have unlimited height..actually height limited only by FAR and floor plate size. This is a huge experiment that could set a new standard for the Central City.

The Planning Commission and staff had hesitation about any changes along the waterfront so most changes in the North Pearl waterfront are held until the new Central City Plan deals with these issues. Increased height was provided for two sites in the Terminal One property north of the Freemont Bridge.

[IanofCascadia]

Sounds great. Hopefully the current market condition won't completely stall development in the area over the next couple of years.

Also, if anyone can comment. I've heard some discussion of W Hotels going into the block between Tanner Springs and the new Fields neighborhood park. Not exactly a reliable source though, so I was just wondering if anyone else had heard the same.

[MarkDaMan]

I want to see details of the 'innovative height' strategy

[westsider]

Seems like every other month theres a new W hotel rumor going around. I think the chain will fold up before Portland gets one.

[JordanL]

Wait, did this say there was no regulatory limitation on the height of buildings in the area?

[pdx2m2]

The North Pearl Plan identifies a Height Opportunity Area...essentially the entire north Pearl west of the tracks and north of Lovejoy.

Within the height opportunity area the 'base height' is still 100' although height is unlimited as long as the FAR above 100' is earned via 'bonus'. There are many FAR bonus options including the ones we've had for years plus a few others.

Buildings taller than 175' must limit floor plate size to 12,500 sq ft above 100'. Facade lengths are also limited for the parts of buildings above 100'...buildings up to 175' limit facade length to 150' and buildings over 175' limit facade length to 120'

Essentially the building height is limited by how much bonus FAR you have. There are no absolute height limits in the area.

[Okstate]

^ just adding to that for some that may not know.

Bonuses are typically granted in regard to enhancing public space.
Examples. Daycare within facility or plaza for public gathering at building base.

There are tons of bonus options typically. I believe the Washington Mutual building in Seattle used EVERY single bonus option imaginable to get to the height it has. After the buildings' completion, the City of Seattle altered the bonus incentives so as not to have another "bohemith" emerge.

[sopdx]

I think they've addressed the height issue well and hopefully it will influence the rewrite of the central city plan. Here's a link.

www.portlandonline.com/Planning/index.cfm?c=43575 - 36k -

PS.
Gentle note. It's Fremont...the bridge and the street.

[philopdx]

Update 7-5-2008: Foundation done, back walls going up.

[tworivers]

** stupidity edit **

[joeplayer1989]

here is a way to demolish this pos when its time comes http://freshome.com/2008/07/18/how-to-demolish-a-skyscraper-one-floor-at-a-time/

[Delaney]

Design Advice Request: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=203276

[MarkDaMan]

Anyone know what it will become? Looks like another Mariott Courtyard or Hilton Garden type hotel.

[Pearl_Steve]

I remembered seeing this one on neighborhoodnotes.com a little while back. Here's the link (pics are broken):

http://www.neighborhoodnotes.com/nw/pear...l_is_actually_a_vacation_ownership_club/

It's actually a vacation ownership hotel:

WorldMark by Wyndham is the vacation ownership company that is building the resort. Wyndham Worldwide is the parent company that owns WorldMark. Sera Architects is designing the property and Opus Northwest is the builder.

WorldMark has over 60 properties in its portfolio of resorts for members to use, 6 located in Oregon. The Pearl location is an urban resort and the idea is members will stay a few days in Portland before heading to a resort on the coast. WorldMark felt the Pearl was the best location for their Portland resort offering easy freeway access and close to shops, restaurants, theater, and public transit.

WorldMark claims that on average a typical room generates about $500,000 for the local economy. They are proposing 117 rooms and expect about a 90% occupancy rate. The rooms are more condo-like with full kitchens. Most members, however, do not cook in room preferring to dine out.

Resort management works with local businesses to structure discounts for a coupon book offered in each room. In addition, self guided walking tours are created and detailed information about public transit is provided. WorldMark research shows that members prefer to walk and use pubic transit when visiting in urban resorts.

[Pearl_Steve]

They have put up fencing around the General Automotive Building at NW Flanders and Park for the renovation.

What it looks like right now:




What it will look like when it's done:




Story from reuters about the renovation:

SEATTLE, WA, Jun 25 (MARKET WIRE) --
HomeStreet Capital, one of the Northwest's oldest commercial real estate lenders, has provided $10.2 million in construction financing for conversion of the General Automotive Building in Portland, Ore., from a vacant warehouse to office and retail space. Financing was arranged by Gregg Weed of HomeStreet Capital through HomeStreet Bank portfolio funds. Additionally, a seismic loan was provided by the Portland Development Commission.

The project will utilize historic tax credits.

The General Automotive Building is located in the Pearl District, a former warehouse and industrial district that has undergone significant urban renewal since the late 1990s. The building is located on the Park blocks between the new light rail line in Old Town Portland and the city's streetcar line.

The site is being developed by Rob Brewster, president of Northwest-based ConoverBond Development, which owns, manages, leases and develops property. Brewster has renovated a dozen older buildings ranging from hotels to student housing in Spokane, Seattle and Washington DC. This is Brewster's first project in Portland.

The warehouse was built in 1923 and currently consists of one two-story and one three-story building. The buildings will be combined and increased to five stories upon completion, nearly doubling the gross building area to 48,000 square feet. Approximately 37,000 square feet will be allocated to office space and 7,500 square feet to ground-level retail and restaurants.

The office space will feature open floor plans with exposed walls, ductwork and hanging lights. Large windows will provide natural light to fit with the style of the Pearl district. There will be an on-site shower and bicycle storage. The building will be submitted for LEED silver certification upon completion.

The construction contractor for the project is Fortis Construction, Inc. Project architect is SERA Architects, Inc.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS184340+25-Jun-2008+MW20080625

[PDX City-State]

Am I alone in the belief that the Deschutes brew pub is a total piece of shit in the architectural sense?