Block 216 Tower - Ritz Hotel and Condos | 459'-11 1/2" | 35 floors | Complete - Page 6

subterranean · #**101** Posted **Nov 2, 2018, 9:08 PM**

This thing is going to be so sharp. Perfect place to start filling in that gap in the skyline, too.

subterranean · #**102** Posted **Nov 2, 2018, 9:16 PM**

GBD Architects

MarkDaMan · #**103** Posted **Nov 2, 2018, 10:52 PM**

The spa layout makes me think this could hoist a Fairmont flag.

Tykendo · #**104** Posted **Nov 3, 2018, 12:53 AM**

Bravo!

NickO2 · #**105** Posted **Nov 4, 2018, 1:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnliu

O would that this team had done the Y(uck)ard.

I'm looking forward to this addition to Portland.

Hopefully the carts can find a location nearby.

Food cart advocates eye transformation of 9th Avenue for ‘Culinary Corridor’

And here's the excellent presentation made to City council: https://youtu.be/C0HlJPX3wCE?t=823

.

RainDog · #**106** Posted **Nov 4, 2018, 3:23 AM**

This seems like a no brainer. That would be a great way to bring activity to this square and retain some permanent food cart space.

Did they ever fix the structural issues with the square?

pdxtraveler · #**107** Posted **Nov 4, 2018, 7:49 AM**

Apparently that is in the works now. I was worried as they fenced it off and I couldn't find info. However I just heard that to use the money the are using for repairs they had to have total vacancy of the land for 90 days, thus the substantial fence. I don't have details as to the extent of work.

maccoinnich · #**108** Posted **Dec 7, 2018, 8:26 PM**

Memo to the Design Commission

maccoinnich · #**109** Posted **Dec 8, 2018, 5:57 PM**

Here are the latest drawings [194 MB] and Staff Report. It looks like there could be a Staff Report recommending approval if PBOT issues related to 9th Ave are resolved by Thursday (but based on my personal experience with PBOT I wouldn't hold my breath).

urbanlife · #**110** Posted **Dec 10, 2018, 7:14 AM**

The drawings look amazing, I am liking this building overall. Makes me want to see a few more buildings like this going up in Portland.

marlonwarren · #**111** Posted **Dec 10, 2018, 6:45 PM**

This project has come a long way in the last 9 months, and GBD has shown they are up to the task of improving this VERY COMPLEX project at every turn.The 9th street issues are my biggest concerns and they are being addressed, along with the Green Street corridor and food court accommodations.

I hope there is a temporary/permanent space for the Food carts while this is under construction . . .

I recommend approval at this this time, and I hope PBOT dose the same, before the markets drop any more and investors start to get cold feet . .

I have yet to see a Project by GBD that is not of high quality materials and
High quality DESIGN

Portland Native.

DMH · #**112** Posted **Dec 10, 2018, 10:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Here are the latest drawings [194 MB] and Staff Report. It looks like there could be a Staff Report recommending approval if PBOT issues related to 9th Ave are resolved by Thursday (but based on my personal experience with PBOT I wouldn't hold my breath).

Having just reviewed all of the drawings, I highly commend GBD and the Design Commission for refining the tower's design into the current proposal. It is hard to believe that at the first DAR in June, they were planning a large loading dock on SW 9th Avenue, the Green Loop.

Design Review is worth the effort.

marlonwarren · #**113** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMH

Having just reviewed all of the drawings, I highly commend GBD and the Design Commission for refining the tower's design into the current proposal. It is hard to believe that at the first DAR in June, they were planning a large loading dock on SW 9th Avenue, the Green Loop.

Design Review is worth the effort.

CORRECT | This maybe a time when Design Commission made a huge difference from the first DAR in improving a VERY Complex Project . . . . Still I believe that GBD in one of the best Portland Based Firms when it comes to MULTI-USE Urban Structures. Always people based Designs and High Quality Materials and Finishes.

I bet, the View from the Pool on the 19th Food, will be Breathtaking . . .

Portland Native.

maccoinnich · #**114** Posted **Dec 11, 2018, 4:41 AM**

I agree that this building has evolved nicely during the design review process.

It looks almost certain that we’re heading to an outcome where the ill-considered 12’ setback along 9th Ave is waived, in return for a rebuild of the streetscape from building face to building face. That’s a great result IMHO, and I hope it does become a precedent for the other midtown park blocks.

maccoinnich · #**115** Posted **Dec 13, 2018, 11:02 PM**

Revised Staff Report, which recommends approval.

Chuck Slothower from the DJC is live tweeting the hearing.

MarkDaMan · #**116** Posted **Dec 14, 2018, 12:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

revised staff report, which recommends approval.

Chuck slothower from the djc is live tweeting the hearing.

Fu*k yeah!

geohiker · #**117** Posted **Dec 14, 2018, 12:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Revised Staff Report, which recommends approval.

Chuck Slothower from the DJC is live tweeting the hearing.

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

tworivers · #**118** Posted **Dec 14, 2018, 1:28 AM**

Good news!

So they're saying groundbreaking will hopefully happen in June or July -- what are the chances that BDS approves permits by then? Does anyone have an idea of how long it is taking right now?

DMH · #**119** Posted **Dec 14, 2018, 6:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tworivers

Good news!

So they're saying groundbreaking will hopefully happen in June or July -- what are the chances that BDS approves permits by then? Does anyone have an idea of how long it is taking right now?

Groundbreaking in June is quite doable because a project of this scale will surely be implemented with multiple bid packages....e.g. Excavation & Shoring, then perhaps Below-Grade Structural, and so forth.

maccoinnich · #**120** Posted **Dec 17, 2018, 8:05 PM**

Quote:

Block 216 tower design approved

The Portland Design Commission voted Thursday to approve plans for a 35-story tower that will transform Portland’s skyline, disband the city’s largest collection of food carts and set a precedent for the much-discussed and yet-to-be-built Green Loop.

Commissioners approved the Block 216 project Thursday with conditions despite objections expressed by city transportation and environmental services bureaus, whose representatives said they hadn’t had adequate time to consider issues ranging from overhanging street lights to a century-old water pipe.

The 844,117-square-foot project was valued at $245 million by the Bureau of Development Services. The building, designed by GBD Architects, will provide the West End a luxury hotel, office space, condominiums, retail space and dining space.

In an unusual move, commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the tower and podium design despite a staff report that recommended denial until various technical issues related to the tower’s frontage on Southwest Ninth Avenue could be resolved. (Commissioners Don Vallaster and Andrew Clarke were absent).

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