[PDX City-State]

I can't remember if we had a thread titled this before, but there is a lot of activity south of Burnside close to Powell's and I think it deserves its own thread. I know the "Gayborhood" thread pertains to this area, but I was hoping we could initiate discussion about the developments more than the social changes in the neighborhood--those these are certainly important.

Stumptown is going to rock the area. Ace Hotel is going to completely change the face of Stark Street. The Federal building has sold and word is the Goodmans are looking to develop the surface lot near Rocco's, adjacent to the aforementioned building. Living Room Theatres is a nice addition, though there seems to be having an identity crisis. There is a new bistro going in the Ace Building too.

Some are calling this area "South Pearl," which I believe is criminal. Unlike the Pearl, this area has far more history and has long been a gay and bohemian enclave. Remember Ozone, Django, etc? What's also interesting is that the business are pretty much local. Living Room Theatres is owned by local filmmakers, ACE by three Seattle-ites (same guys who own Rudy's Barbershop), Stumptown by Duane, etc.

What do you guys think?

[MarkDaMan]

you forgot the biggest addition, the ZGF tower, plus that old coot that is putting up the 325' Manhattan across the 405. There is also talk that G-E, partnering with Goodman, has purchased the option to buy the Silverado block. The Eagle nightclub building is also being renovated.

I think the area is set to expand on the Brewery Blocks 'lifestyle center' theme. I have yet to visit the Brewery Blocks be it early morning or late night, and not see a ton of pedestrian activity in the area. As the Pearl crosses Burnside, the Stark Street area is going to be the next front for dining, retail, and entertainment. Powells has always been teeming with life indoors, but the previous neighborhood didn't offer any option to all those people that wanted something to do after browsing titles for an afternoon. With the theater directly across from Powells, the area is on the cusp of exploding.

[PacificNW]

"old coot"? Hmmm, I guess we old coots need to round up you "yungins" and spank your behinds. :)

[MarkDaMan]

^hehehee...well, Weston is really an old coot, with all due respect for his talents and ability to develop. There was an in-depth story in the Oregonian sometime last year, and the guy just seemed a bit cold, to say the least. When the lead developer on the Benson tower died in a plane crash Weston only statement was 'we will buy his portion out and continue on' it appeared he had no sorrow at the loss at least publicly. In any case, he's got money and is putting up towers so I don't care what he's like in person, as long as he puts something nice up.

[cab]

Here's that awful quote. It was in the DJC

Benson Tower developer killed in plane crash in Canada
by Justin Stranzl
DJC 06/06/2005

Eric van Doorninck, developer of the Benson Tower now under construction in downtown Portland, died May 29 in a plane crash in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Van Doorninck, 47, was killed when a small plane he was piloting crashed during takeoff from a private airstrip he'd recently built on a ranch five miles outside of Vancouver. Van Doorninck took off at an awkward angle; while he was readjusting, a wing of his 1967 Piper Cherokee clipped a tree.

Construction of his Benson Tower began earlier this year at 1500 S.W. 11th Ave., a site formerly occupied by the Simon Benson House. When completed, the tower will rise 26 stories and fill 156,000 square feet.

For the project van Doorninck partnered with Joe Weston, the developer of hundreds of apartments in Portland's Pearl District, to form Benson Tower LLC. Weston said completion of the $30 million project is "still set" for spring 2007, a date van Doorninck said he was targeting earlier this year.

"We're going through an adjustment here," Weston said, "but we do this all the time. We lose partners; they get divorced (or) they die. You rise to the occasion."

Weston said he'll buy out van Doorninck's share of the project and continue "right ahead." No other project partners will be replaced, he said.

Rachelle Freegard, a designer with the firm of record, Portland's MCA Architects PC, said van Doorninck's death was a loss for all of the Pacific Northwest. His plan for a 26-story tower similar to ones in his native Vancouver will serve as an "inspiration" upon completion, Freegard said.

"He brought Canada and Portland together," she said.

A memorial service is planned for June 16 in Vancouver. No services are planned in Portland.

[Drmyeyes]

I kind of remember that story about Weston. What it contained suggests he's an example of the kind of person that people may well have dramatically contrasting opinions about; a realist from the old school perspective about how business must be done. Sort of a rain or shine, the mail must go through kind of guy. Seems like the article also gave examples of how in his life and career, Weston went out of his way to help out other people. Such people can be easily misunderstood, admired and hated. Too bad we don't have a link to that article.

It's good to see things hopping on Stark. The street has always had a nice vibe, except for the creeps crusin for young kids. That activity seems to have tapered off in the last year or so. The new business and construction will hopefully finish it there.

[PDX City-State]

What do you guys think about Living Room Theatres?

[pdxman]

I haven't been yet, but its looked pretty quiet whenever i've walked by :( i think most people don't know its open.

[Room 606]

The prices might be keeping people away. $13 for admission. And then an $8-$10 tapas and sandwich menu. Throw in a couple of drinks and it's a pretty expensive date.

That said, I do want to give it a try.

[zilfondel]

Living Room theaters has an ad in the paper saying $9 matinees for opening week. Hurry while you can before it costs a ton!

Isn't $9 cheaper than the normal theaters downtown?

[mcbaby]

it sounds like a glorified laurelhurst theater.

[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.

http://photos.friendster.com/photos/23/78/9268732/14475300430646l.jpg

[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?

[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.

[pdxtex]

continuing to live under my rock, in my SE cave, that whole concept sounds revolting. A, 13 bucks for a movie is retarded, B, 13 bucks for a little seen artsy or foreign film on the premise that you are being artsy is even more retarded, C, the fact that people will pay these prices for admission and then buy pricey drinks and food is the "you and your wallet are retarded" clincher. they will be out of biz in 2 years, tops.

[goldnola]

Eastside = Laurelhurst movie with pizza and beer = $8

Westside = Living Room with tapas (what is that anyway?) and Martini = $30

I love living in the S.E. !!

Make over 20,000 also

[Leo]

I went there this weekend.

Great space, good theaters. I have been waiting for a movie theater that serves food close to the Pearl for a long time! (Yes, there’s Mission theater, but by the time second-run movies make it there, I’ve usually already seen them. Plus, the food is a little greasy for me...)

It’s a bit pricey, but not any worse than the comparable Cinetopia. Yes, it’s more expensive than Laurelhurst & Mission Theater, but we already have those. I’m glad that I now have an alternative to pizza and beer if I want it...

I love the fact that they run indie movies, now that Fox Tower has turned mostly mainstream ...

[MarkDaMan]

Ace Hotel seems poised to fill necessary local niche
Hotel industry experts say demand is right for new venture
Portland Business Journal - January 26, 2007
by Wendy Culverwell
Business Journal staff writer
Cathy Cheney | Portland Business Journal

Portland's newest old hotel will quietly reopen in February while workers put the finishing touches on a restaurant and other features.

The Ace Hotel, formerly the Clyde, will start booking guests in early February. The restaurant will come on by March, said Ace co-owner Alex Calderwood, who has spent more than a year and a half bringing Seattle's Ace brand to Portland's Burnside Triangle.

The down-to-the-studs renovation brought new electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems to the building but retained as much of the existing fixtures as possible.

Bathtubs and other fixtures were reconditioned. Dealing with the vintage 1912 structure revealed lots of unexpected issues.

"We assumed there would be challenges along the way, and there were," Calderwood said.

Overall, Calderwood said he's pleased with the success of the project.

"I think that the character of the building is showing through fantastically."

The odyssey from Clyde to Ace began in early 2005, when A & R Development, owned by Robert and Ann Sacks, bought the Clyde Hotel from Adam Patel for $3.3 million.

The hotel had 93 rooms and an elegant persona, but operated at the literal fringes of downtown.

A & R owns the building; Calderwood and company own and operate the hotel.

Much has changed since the property was sold and the project started.

Its Southwest Stark Street neighborhood is in the midst of its own renovation, marked most recently by the debut of the upscale Living Room Theater in a formerly empty showroom in the same block. The theater is located in the block just immediately south of Powell's Books.

Businesses that once operated on the Clyde's ground floor, including a dry cleaner and a nightclub, have moved to different locations, freeing up space for a hotel restaurant and other amenities.

The hotel is changed as well. The Clyde's 93 rooms have been replaced with 79 rooms featuring Ace's chic-minimalist decor.

Some share bathrooms, which is another hallmark of the Ace brand.

The Ace casts itself as a chic value brand, with room rates in the low $100s.

Calderwood is confident the new Ace will be well received.

The company put a postcard function on its Portland Web site as a placeholder until the hotel -- and Web site -- are fully operational. Visitors can fill out the post card, indicating their interest in the Ace Portland.

The unadvertised site is fielding 10 inquiries a day from would-be visitors, Calderwood said.

Inexplicably, many of those interested in booking rooms are from Australia, he said.

A "value-chic" hotel will be a welcome addition to the Portland market, said Ed Dundon, a hotel broker who monitors occupancy rates for his biannual report on the industry.

Dundon said the recent conversions of historic hotels into boutiques with higher prices has left Portland with a hole in the market for $100-a-night rooms.

The Mallory Hotel, for example, reopened last year as the Hotel deLuxe, with room rates starting at about $150 per night.

Closer to the heart of downtown, hotel rooms routinely command $200 or more per night, putting them out of reach for younger, tech-savvy visitors that Portland covets.

"The higher-end stuff keeps going higher," Dundon observed.

The Portland Oregon Visitors Association too is celebrating the return of 79 reasonably priced rooms to the downtown market.

Deborah Wakefield, spokeswoman, agreed with Dundon's assessment that Portland needs more midpriced downtown rooms. Rising occupancy rates are great for hotel operators.

For 2006, through November, Portland downtown hotels posted an occupancy rate of 76.1 percent, more than 11 points higher than the national average, according to Smith Travel Report figures cited by POVA.

Rising occupancy rates push up room rates, which creates a void in the market that serves Portland's vaunted "creative class."

"Portland does attract a certain number of visitors who appreciate a cool hotel and want to stay in one that is different and unique," she said.

But those visitors tend to be younger and can't pay the $200-plus rates of other downtown hotels.

"This is a nice way for them to still be downtown in the midst of everything and not break their pocketbooks," she said. "I wish they had more rooms."

Portland is the Ace chain's second location. Calderwood said the company's next step would probably be another West Coast location such as San Francisco or Vancouver, British Columbia.

"Any city that is culturally interesting or has a cultural vibe could be a good market for us," he said.

wculverwell@bizjournals.com | 503-219-3415
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/01/29/story10.html?t=printable

[65MAX]

"Any city that is culturally interesting or has a cultural vibe could be a good market for us"

Woohoo, we're culturally interesting!! :notacrook:

[pdxtex]

posted on mercury blogtown - Living Room Theaters Prices Drop, Now Only $9.


Posted by Erik Henriksen at 07:16 AM
Okay, so good news, Portland film lovers: Once again, the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th) have slashed their once-outrageous ticket prices. It’s now only $9 to get in to these swank theaters, for all films and for all showtimes. (When the theaters first opened, in mid-December, tickets were $15; by late December, they’d dropped to $13. And now, to $9.)

I can’t help but think that these price drops are happening because Portlanders simply weren’t willing to pay such high prices. (See our Blogtown discussions about the theaters—and their cost—here and here.) I mean, if the theaters were doing well, it’s not like they’d keep dropping their prices, right? But anyway: $9 seems perfectly reasonable to me. Hopefully, more Portlanders will give the theaters a shot now that one doesn’t have to sell their first-born child on the black market in order to afford a night out at the movies. What do you guys think? Cheap enough?

(And if you want to go check out something at the Living Room Theaters today or this weekend, use the Mercury’s slick new movie times finder, Found It! And okay, fine, it finds other things too, but the important part, at least as far as I’m concerned, is the movie times.)

[MarkDaMan]

^Nope, I go to two or three indy films a year, and when I do, I like to see them at cinema 21. If I am going to sit in a swanky theater that I've paid $9 for, I want to see some gore and hear them test their surround sound system. I'm not saying ditch the indy films, but maybe run some mainstream along with the indy flicks.

[Urbanpdx]

I agree Mark.

[zilfondel]

Mainstream is for my Netflix. Well, also any TV shows that I missed too.

[MarkDaMan]

so I had a chance to meet up with my friend from Gerding Edlen this weekend for a few drinks. I was dying to ask him about the Silverado block but knew he'd clam up if I asked too early. So we talked about ZGF, briefly about the submitted RFP for the 10th and Yamhill smart park (nothing new he could or would tell me there) but after a few drinks I brought up the Silverado block.

Though it isn't finalized, GE is looking to create a miniature 'Time Square' bridging the Pearl and the West End. The Silverado block will be demolished, but they are saving the pie shaped ornate annex building next door. The new building will be only a few stories taller than the current building, but should have a 'cutting edge' design, however it isn't decided whether they are building office space or apartment/condos (well at least he was being coy about that). Within 60 days Silverado and Club Portland should be closed, and demolition could begin this summer. Depending on the couplet, they'd like to create a larger pedestrian island/sliver park, possibly blocking off one of the two streets that intersect at Stark and Burnside.

From what I can remember (I was drinking too) that was about it.

[asher519]

The Silverado block will be demolished, but they are saving the pie shaped ornate annex building next door.

I'm glad to hear they're saving the flatiron building. It's small, but very cute. As for the rest of the block, they can have at it! I hope the "cutting edge" design actually turns out cutting edge; it would be a nice splash for that area.

Has anybody yet heard for sure whether Silverado and/or Club Portland will be relocating?

[PDX City-State]

I heard that both are looking for space in Old Town, along with the Eagle, which will open a gay club next to Magic Gardens. Old Town is going to be a huge nightlife destination unlike anything the city has ever seen.

[pdxtraveler]

I can see Silverado going to Old Town, but would be somewhat surprised if Club PDX did, but you never know...

[65MAX]

I'm glad to hear they're saving the flatiron building. It's small, but very cute. As for the rest of the block, they can have at it! I hope the "cutting edge" design actually turns out cutting edge; it would be a nice splash for that area.

Yes, the tiny wedge shape building (Ringler's Annex) stays. It's actually a separate lot with a different owner.

I saw a preliminary rendering (very preliminary) of the 7-8 story glass and LED wrapped new building they would put there if the existing building doesn't pencil out and is removed. Very cool!! Especially with the tiny flatiron at the corner juxtaposed against it. It's still very preliminary (did I mention it's very preliminary?) But a very promising start. It would be a focal point joining the Pearl and the West End.

[65MAX]

I can see Silverado going to Old Town, but would be somewhat surprised if Club PDX did, but you never know...

Yeah, I think OT/CT could be too expensive for that use. If they relocate, it'll probably be close-in eastside. Although they may want to pay the extra rent to be close to the gay bars.

[sirsimon]

Sounds cool - I'd love to see something like this to bridge the Pearl with the rest of DT. :)

[zilfondel]

^^^ Oh my god. Are you guys kidding? Times... muahahaha!

Although I'd rather have Tokyo's Ginza than Times Square, to tell the truth.
(this just sounds wrong tho, comparing little 'ol PDX to either NYC or Tokyo!!!)

Maybe they could do something creative with the facade, ala the Dior store in Tokyo?

http://www.circleofconfusion.ca/20050401/img/rsnider-japan03.jpg

http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec07/img/5.jpg


...on seconds thoughts, I think it's going to take a lot more than this to turn it into either place!

http://legeros.com/photos/ny03/images/times-square-one-view.jpg

http://tokyoyakei.cool.ne.jp/tokyo/ginza/ginza-6.jpg

[alexjon]

We need to get them to try, though-- that'd be awesome

[MarkDaMan]

okay Zilfondel, we get your point. To be truthful, I kinda smirked when he used that term as well, but this is their dream and we are all just pawns in their game...in any case, I think he used to term to describe a central square for the city with bright lights, shops, restaurants, night clubs, all within a pedestrian heavy few blocks. Maybe central hub/square would have been a better description than a Portland 'Times Square'?

[65MAX]

http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec07/img/5.jpg

This is more like what I saw at Gerding/Edlen. A 7-8 story glass wedge-shaped box with the teeny tiny Ringler's Annex in the foreground.

I don't think Times Square is the right analogy here. This building will be more like a brightly-lit beacon, not a public square surrounded by competing advertisements.

[PDX City-State]

I expect something bold. That intersection is a Gateway to lots of Goodman property. Goodbye parking lots!

[zilfondel]

Sorry, I got carried away! =\

[PacificNW]

I was in Portland today for a few hours of legal crap....anyway, I caught a movie @ Living Room theaters. Cost of the matinee was only $4.50 plus the cost of a hot cocoa. Nice, comfortable seating and goodie Indie flick. I would definitely recommend the place to friends. The bar person told me things are going well, especially the weekends...which makes sense.

[Drmyeyes]

Some of you must have seen this or mentioned it earlier, but in case you didn't, there was quite a write-up/photo spread on the Portland Ace Hotel in last Sunday's NYTimes spring travel magazine.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.ace.t.html?ref=tmagazine

I didn't check out the online slide show, but the actual magazines pics were great, though a lot of them were too small to really appreciate.

[kvalk]

wow, that article and the slide show...the hipster in me says it's trying way too hard to be cool, but that's marketing for you. not to knock what's still probably the best (note: modern & hip) hotel in town, espcially since the Jupiter is total crap.