The Pearl District - An emerging story to be told

an emerging story to be told

Build it and they will come could

be construed quite literally as the genesis for this lively place downtown. It is a collaborative effort involving a public and private partnership made up of developers, neighbors, business, and the city. The focus was placed on market and affordable housing, parks, public transportation, streets

the pearl district a new neighborhood

and a march to the river that turned this district into the wild west with infrastructure leading the charge. It seemed appropriate to go by train as both the new streetcar and union station became catalyst projects. It soon became a neighborhood in transition shared by new residents, auto repair shops, artists and industrial and commercial business.

The advent of parks brought with it some grass and splash as both the new residents and larger community flocked to these new urban oasis. Life is good. Stroll the lovely streets and courtyards to witness the diversity and density of a great supporting cast and see for yourself why it’s the place to be.

neighborhood in transition It’s amazing to witness the rebirth of a neighborhood that is transforming the vitality of a city already known for its livability. The cable guy, creative director, dishwasher and construction worker begin to comprise an apt cross-section of diversity in a place with a glimpse of what it continues to promise. Existing warehouses convert to different uses offering rooms with a view towards those yet to come and those who have recently arrived. The accommodation of the existing residents and businesses blended with new buyers and renters offer a renewed energy that contribute to Portland’s pre-eminence for a vital civic life embracing the Pearl District’s railroads, residents, retailers, restaurants and renaissance.

the cable guy, creative director, dishwasher and construction worker

rail yards, a river, rigs, residents, restaurants and a renaissance

a room with a view

build it and they will come Cables, cranes and cornices are painted into the foreground of the horizon as a testament to the importance of public and private initiative. The streetcar offered a promise of permanence and commitment to the surrounding development. Breaking down the barriers of a viaduct and isolated initiatives set the fertile ground for an overnight success with people showing up and staking a claim to what they knew would be one of America’s best new neighborhoods. A careful hand was extended to that which was inherited. A renewed past was cast in tandem with a bold future as older buildings were redeveloped and new buildings emerged.

cables, cranes and cornices

the promise of permanence

breaking down barriers

. . . showing up

. . . staking a claim

. . . a renewed past

. . . a bold future

go by train As the River District Development Plan was beginning to take shape a sense of arrival emerged with the first public/ private project. A 7.5 acre development offering approximately 725 rental and for sale dwellings. Located adjacent to Portland’s Union Station, The Yard’s at Union Station connected the waterfront to the Union Station and River District neighborhood by creating a bridge crossing over the tracks and establishing a public room at the heart of the project and extending a pedestrian way to the Willamette River Walk. The project was scaled around a series of gardens, terraces and courtyards which would reinforce a precedent of organizing housing around public open space in later developments.

a place of arrival

a public room

gardens, terraces and courtyards

the wild west As soon as the “handshake” between the city and the private sector was finished things immediately began to happen.

Once the infrastructure was underway a “sold rush” followed. The appearance of streetcar tracks, streets and the demolition of the viaduct were the most visible signs to those who would move here that there was no going back. The arrival of new residents and businesses gave rise to a steady confidence that more would follow. As new condominiums and apartments appeared, the Pearl District always seemed to offer something new around every corner.

This included parks, farmer’s markets, summer concerts, larger art walks and more housing. The march to the river continues.

the “sold” rush

a steady confidence

around every corner

grass and splash With the advent of the first of several parks, a rebirth of this neighborhood really began to take hold. It’s potential manifests itself in the exposed community that would populate and animate Jamison Park. The theater was complete with kids, families and people splashing around or spectating from the lawn.

Solitude, conversation and play depends on the time of day. Meanwhile on the east side of the park a beautiful teak boardwalk begins the first segment of what will be a march to the river. The attention to detail is uncompromising.

Two blocks away North Park Square begins to take shape as future promises are fulfilled.

a rebirth

kids, families and people splashing around

solitude, conversation and play depends on the day

a march to the river

as future promises are fulfilled

streets and courtyards One quickly perceives the first time they walk into the Pearl District it is a community built around the pedestrian.

Whether you arrive by foot, auto, or streetcar you will find the sidewalks lined with cafes, restaurants and retail establishments. Strolling around the neighborhood blocks you will stumble upon parks and public and private courtyards that reveal more smaller communities. Private terraces and intimate places dot the streetscape in public and semi-public environs. Many of these spaces become intertwined in a procession of green public spaces that transform into pedestrian only green ways and compose a labyrinth of activity and pause.

courtyards that reveal

private terraces and intimate places

that intertwine with green public spaces

The Pearl District has hosted a small diverse community of retail and commercial interest before it’s renaissance. Shaker’s Cafe, Hanna Andersson, Bridgeport Brewery, Gold’s Gym just to name a few.

a supporting cast During the 1990’s as warehouses converted to lofts and new residents arrived, an increase in the supporting cast grew alongside. These were as important to the neighborhood as the influx of people who would choose to live there. Portland’s finest restaurant “Bluehour” and nationally recognized ad firm Weiden and Kennedy moved into a converted cold storage building without windows, opening it up to the district.

PNCA made the Pearl District it’s new campus enlarging the creative and talented population of this neighborhood.

The energy and vitality of the district continues to grow with more places to live, eat, work, play, learn, shop, celebrate, cook, create . . .

places to live, eat, work, play, learn,

shop, celebrate, cook, create . . .

an evolving community