Downtown Portland News

[pdxf]

I'll probably stick with McMenamins and the $3.00 movies...and with my saved money, beer!

[bvpcvm]

their movies sounded pretty interesting. but probably not $13 interesting.

[Urbanpdx]

You guys crack me up. You want signature buildings with expensive finishes and cool restaurants but want hole-in-the-wall prices. Great, groundbreaking design can add huge amounts to the cost of buildings and that has to be paid for by the patrons of the business that occupy them or by those who live in them. Step up to the plate and support the theater that did such a cool remodel or get the same old McMini-donalds...

The reason that great cities have so many great buildings is that people are willing to pay for great design in those places. As long as condo buyers insist on buying condos "by the pound" and buildings that cost more lose buyers or tenants because they are a few dollars per square foot more expensive we will continue to get the "Portland Style".

[bvpcvm]

cheap eatz = more young people = more exciting, vibrant neighborhood.
pearl prices = more boring old people = dullsville.

(i exaggerate, of course, but come on, this is portland. we don't do pretension, except on first thursdays, which i missed AGAIN tonight.)

[roner]

On a personal level I think the idea of 13 dollar movie offensive. I don't really get that geared up over movies anyways and perfer to either spend 3 at a second run or Netflix it. However, if you give me some more good music and venues I would easily drop 13 (and more) to see some great music or have a blast with some friends. I do hope they succed though and wish them the best.

On another note, does any know what's up with the checkered square building on 10th in the West End that has been for sale for years? It's short and very 60s?

[tworivers]

On another note, does any know what's up with the checkered square building on 10th in the West End that has been for sale for years? It's short and very 60s?

Not sure, but I've been fantasizing about being able to buy it. One of my local favorites in an understated, mostly-ignored sort of way. A little love and creativity and that building could be a gem.

[bvpcvm]

brian libby wrote something about it a few months back on portlandarchitecture.com. it's been empty for years.

[Drmyeyes]

I'll bet that half the people commenting here regularly, and chafing over the costs at LivingRoom Theatres are poor students or making less than 20 thousand a year.

Portland residents with higher incomes ought to be able to make the new theatre fly if they sample that theatre concepts unique offering: limited screening art films of a national and local calibre, shown in a setting where patrons don't have to deal with the noisy popcorn smacking, blabbing patrons of the Regal chain. Sounds as though it's supposed to be an ultra cushy, cozy movie viewing experience. Of course if they don't give people their money's worth, it won't make it.

Hey, what about putting together a hypothetical development scheme to ressurect and revitalize the checkerboard building? There's a challenging project for you. I remember from Libby's article that the building, though it looks are compelling, does not have a strong integral structure. Of course, my memory has a little to be desired.

[alexjon]

I make more than 20k, and I wouldn't go there!!

Well yeah, I would.

But I'd rather get drunk with that money. I mean, the bars are RIGHT THERE.

[PDX City-State]

I love the space, but they need to work a few things out. I ordered a rum and coke and it was like eight bucks. Be upscale, but don't rip people off.

[roner]

I'm not a student and make quite a bit more than 20 thousand a year. IMO movies are not that big of a deal. I would rather spend the money eating, watching a show, or a Alexjon said drinking! But I hope them the best.

As for Checkered Building, I posted over on Libby's sight (under a different name) that I thought a private booth karaoke bar with a nice lounge would suite it perfectly. In Vancouver, and most any other cities for that matter, private booth is huge and I attest it's a blast. I was a disbeliever at first because of my reluctance toward public karaoke, but loved the private. The one I went to in Vancouver had a server come by often, included nice leather couches and a nice deck for some fresh air and the smokers. As much as Portland loves karaoke and the amount of rain we get, I think it would be a hit. Has anyone been inside this building? What’s the interior like?

[MarkDaMan]

not sure where he's getting this from but:


… Bold prediction for the new year: City officials will vote to allow new downtown buildings to be another five or so stories higher than the law currently allows. … Of course, there’ll be lots of moaning and groaning about how this will be the end of P-town as we know it — but forget it, folks. … In case you haven’t been downtown lately, especially along Southwest 10th, we’re already way past that point. … Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing, I might add. …

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/...94944313073900

[urbanlife]

I see no problems with going higher downtown. Would make sense to have the highest height limits be downtown.

[mSeattle]

Interesting. Something to watch for and would be great for PDX.

[urbanlife]

I love the look of the Living Room Theater, especially that untreated wood that will age. I am a student and probably will only go there one or two times, but it is a great addition to that area.

As someone told me before I moved here. "If you have little money, Portland is a great city to live in, and if you have money, Portland is a perfect city to live in." I think that sums up how I have seen Portland so far.


As for the Federal Building, I am happy it has new owners. I hope it doesn't get torn down and I hope the parking lot around it turns into one hell of a tower. That area is going to have some major energy soon.....not that when it was the major gay district downtown it didnt. It is just nice to see that part of town turning into something much bigger.

[urbanlife]

I was wondering when their opening date would be.

[urbanlife]

as a side note, my new apartment has a great view of the Benson, the top of the Eliot, the Ione Plaza, and the Fox.

[PacificNW]

5-6 floors.....?? Are they including the CBD along 5th and 6th Avenues? I was hoping they would ask to go higher...it's a start, I guess.

[Dougall5505]

go for it!

[roner]

^I thought the same thing PNW. 5-6 floors? come on, how about 10.