The Press Blocks (Oregonian Publishing Buildings) | 250' | 23 floors | U/C

[bvpcvm]

I think you're seeing the ART tower. It's really prominent from 405.

[downtownpdx]

If you look up Flanders Street Crossing (sorry I'm on my phone, can't post a link) Oregon Live has an article about that new ped bridge with a great shot of the Art Tower in background.

[maccoinnich]

I've no idea what's happening with the Press Blocks Tower... but the Canvas at the Press Blocks office building is now complete and I can highly recommend Migration on the rooftop (if you can find a seat).

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by subterranean

Sort of surprised there hasn’t been any discussion or photos on this one. I take the 405 a couple times a month and this one looks large and quite nice while southbound off the Fremont.

Wait, which building are you talking about because this one hasn't even started demo of the old Oregonian warehouse that is on this block. Are you referring to the Arts Tower that should be a full height by now?

[subterranean]

Sorry - wrong thread. Yep, my bad. ART Tower it is…

[pdxtraveler]

Duplicate post

[pdxsg34]

Looks like the 24-story won't be happening anytime soon...
https://www.portlandmaps.com/detail/...did/?p=R246773

Scope of project has changed from full block & half block to only doing half block. TH0465 is for the half block only. TH0938 is the second phase. Project will resume at an undetermined date. (EP325 has been issued.)

[maccoinnich]

To be clear though, that's just the Public Works Permit for sidewalks etc. They need to close that out for the half block office, and even if the tower started tomorrow it would be years before the sidewalks for the full block were completed.

I'm not saying the full block will move ahead—there's plenty reason to believe it won't, after this long of a wait—but they're clearly keeping the option to move ahead open.

[pdxsg34]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

To be clear though, that's just the Public Works Permit for sidewalks etc. They need to close that out for the half block office, and even if the tower started tomorrow it would be years before the sidewalks for the full block were completed.

I'm not saying the full block will move ahead—there's plenty reason to believe it won't, after this long of a wait—but they're clearly keeping the option to move ahead open.

How long does the design approval last for the 24 story? I could be mistaken, but wasnt it in 2017? If so, i'm curious what the cutoffs are. It seems at this point, they'd need to go through design hearings again..

[maccoinnich]

Normally three years, but last year City Council made a temporary change to the code that extends the life of approvals until January 1st, 2024, for any project approved between March 8th, 2017 and January 1st, 2021. The Press Blocks received final approval May 4th, 2017.

[ORNative]

I certainly appreciate your wealth of knowledge and insights - Thanks much!

[pdxsg34]

Recently noticed the mechanical (HVAC) permit for the new residential tower was re-activated a few weeks ago: https://www.portlandmaps.com/detail/...did/?p=R246773

[maccoinnich]

It looks like someone is trying to keep the permit alive, but unless there are updates to the drawings "Corrections Received" it's not getting any closer to issuance.

[pdxsg34]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

It looks like someone is trying to keep the permit alive, but unless there are updates to the drawings "Corrections Received" it's not getting any closer to issuance.

I'm guessing the hope to keep it alive is to avoid the inclusionary rules that came after design approval. How long can a permit like this stay alive? Surely they can't extend it forever.

[maccoinnich]

They have until January 2024 to break ground. After that, their design review approval (and with it, pre-IZ vesting) expires.

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Normally three years, but last year City Council made a temporary change to the code that extends the life of approvals until January 1st, 2024, for any project approved between March 8th, 2017 and January 1st, 2021. The Press Blocks received final approval May 4th, 2017.

^^^ this is still true, but BDS recently announced that projects submitted under the 2014 building code need to achieved "Approved to Issue" status by October 1, 2022. This would affect the Press Blocks, which was submitted for permit in 2017.

I previously noted that while the permit was being kept alive, it didn't look like it was getting any closer to issuance:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

It looks like someone is trying to keep the permit alive, but unless there are updates to the drawings "Corrections Received" it's not getting any closer to issuance.

However... I now see "Corrections Received" on the foundation permit, dated 3/18/22.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

^^^ this is still true, but BDS recently announced that projects submitted under the 2014 building code need to achieved "Approved to Issue" status by October 1, 2022. This would affect the Press Blocks, which was submitted for permit in 2017.

I previously noted that while the permit was being kept alive, it didn't look like it was getting any closer to issuance:



However... I now see "Corrections Received" on the foundation permit, dated 3/18/22.

Sweet! Good find! This will really elevate the new neighborhood if it finally goes up.

[AdamNorthwest]

This project is still a great opportunity for the developer. It's pre-IZ, and a shortage of new units proposed during COVID will help them exceed whatever rents they projected back in 2016 and 2017. They might not break ground for a couple of years, but they're not going to let all of their architectural and entitlement spend go to waste.

[maccoinnich]

"Corrections Received" 5/9

[sopdx]

Looks like there is a building permit review as of 6/9/22

https://www.portlandmaps.com/detail/...T/R246773_did/