Old Town/Chinatown News - Page 86

2oh1 · #**1701** Posted **Jun 7, 2017, 3:37 AM**

That's a nice piece of infill for the area. It's such a shame that height is so prohibitively expensive because this would look even better if it were taller, especially on this location, and we have so much need for housing... but going taller would price out the people who most need the housing... so... sigh. Tangent aside, I like it. I'll be so excited to see this section of downtown fill in.

maccoinnich · #**1702** Posted **Jun 11, 2017, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Preserving a Chinatown unlike others

Finding Portland’s Chinatown is a challenge for area residents and visitors alike.

“One of the more popular questions we get is: Where is Chinatown?” said Scott Steele, director of marketing and communications for the Lan Su Chinese Garden. “We always talk about the restaurants that are still nearby and Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). But we also talk about the Jade District out at (Southeast) 82nd (Avenue).”

The Lan Su Chinese Garden, at 239 N.W. Everett St., is one of the few buildings in Portland’s Chinatown that has a distinct Asian flavor. Many of the buildings around it bear little difference from other structures in the city.

“(The gardens) are designed to incorporate the Chinese architecture,” Steele said. “We were truly built for the location we are at. It is really designed to complement the buildings around it.”

Yet few of those surrounding buildings resemble architecturally what many people consider Chinese. Plus, more Asian businesses and residents in Portland now occupy the Jade District than Chinatown.

...continues at the DJC (temporarily unlocked).

urbanlife · #**1703** Posted **Jun 11, 2017, 11:41 PM**

I feel like one of two things needs to happen with Chinatown, either it will become a Disneyland type faux Chinese district or it just dissolves into being just Oldtown with a Chinese history.

Sioux612 · #**1704** Posted **Jun 12, 2017, 1:19 AM**

Re-clad One Pacific Square? Can someone show me an example of "Chinese architecture"?

maccoinnich · #**1705** Posted **Jun 13, 2017, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Drawings [24MB] and Staff Report, which recommends approval, for 108 SW 3rd Ave. I'll be glad to see this site fill in. There are a lot of positive changes happening in that part of Old Town, and I think this will add to the momentum.

Unanimously approved by Landmarks Commission yesterday.

maccoinnich · #**1706** Posted **Jul 15, 2017, 11:40 PM**

maccoinnich · #**1707** Posted **Jul 18, 2017, 7:02 PM**

On Historic Landmarks Commission agenda for August 28th:

Quote:

EA 17-202058 DA – 140 NW 4th Ave
APPLICANT: Steven Ehlbeck, SERA Architects
ADDRESS: 140 NW 4th Ave

Design Advice for exterior alterations to the 2-story, roughly ¼ block Tuck Lung Building; a noncontributing building located in the New Chinatown/ Japantown Historic District, the River District Subdistrict, and the Central City Plan District. Proposal includes new ground level glazed storefront openings, the replacement of existing tile-clad shed roof with vertical exterior wall, the removal of ground and second floor railings, and a new wood slat screen at Level 2 balcony extending to parapet.

Looks like the building was purchased by Guardian Real Estate Services for $8,250,000 (!) earlier this summer. I'm curious about what they have planned for it.

maccoinnich · #**1708** Posted **Aug 22, 2017, 7:19 PM**

Drawings [16 MB] for the renovation of the Tuck Lung Building at 140 NW 4th. I get why they're making the moves they're making, but I'm a little sad to see the kitschy postmodern elements of the building disappear entirely.

DMH · #**1709** Posted **Aug 22, 2017, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Drawings [16 MB] for the renovation of the Tuck Lung Building at 140 NW 4th. I get why they're making the moves they're making, but I'm a little sad to see the kitschy postmodern elements of the building disappear entirely.

Presumably the Landmarks Commission will be reviewing this proposal, and they will be quite justified if they reject it. While the Tuck Lung building was already an ersatz Asian design when it was constructed in the 1970's or 80's, at least it has a more pedestrian-friendly face than the new proposal. With the right 2nd floor tenants, the Tuck Lung upper walkway is way more interesting and potentially active than the really uncontextual wood screen in the new proposal. Also, while it is not functional, the Asian-tiled mansard roof line would be missed.

cab · #**1710** Posted **Aug 23, 2017, 4:29 PM**

You couldn't do a worse rehab. Absolute abomination. That little building at least has a bit of diversity with round windows and wrap around deck. This is just modernist garbage. Something is wrong with Architecture right now. It looks like the Lloyd center. I can't figure out how an architect could come up with this design. New fad in architecture, how to dehumanize a space?

Derek · #**1711** Posted **Aug 23, 2017, 5:01 PM**

It looks fine lol

If you're going to be outraged about something, be outraged at the gas station across the street.

Edit: You were referring to the Tuck Lung building and not the Grove Hotel, my bad. I completely agree. My point about the gas station still stands though.

geohiker · #**1712** Posted **Sep 13, 2017, 10:50 PM**

Drawings [16MB] for 140 NW 4th Ave, Design Advice Request.

urbanlife · #**1713** Posted **Sep 14, 2017, 12:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by geohiker

Drawings [16MB] for 140 NW 4th Ave, Design Advice Request.

The 1970s called, they want their architecture ideas back.

2oh1 · #**1714** Posted **Sep 14, 2017, 4:53 AM**

Design Advice? I can sum up my advice in one word: DON'T.

The ground story lacks any character whatsoever. It couldn't be any more generic if they tried. And the second story...? Oof. Just oof. The proportions make it look imposingly top heavy, but for what purpose? The street level looks like it belongs in a bad strip mall, not in Chinatown, and the top looks like they're trying to hide a garage. I don't see how the redesign is a benefit. Why not clean up and improve what's there?

I don't understand this at all. Hopefully they get sent back to the drawing board.