[bvpcvm]

The web site's up and - yay! - no flash!

[Dougall5505]

link?

[PacificNW]

http://encoreonthepark.com/

[sirsimon]

The web site's up and - yay! - no flash!

Thank you Jesus on the lack of Flash.

[Castillonis]

I took this photo of the Encore building on Mon 24Sep07. You can see the metal framing on the lower right hand side along with concrete debris/powder flying from a construction worker's tool. The Waterfront Pearl buildings are located behind me.
http://lh4.google.com/stoneyv/RvrFiIepapI/AAAAAAAAAGA/1bKAlrqmnCA/s144/IMG_6024.JPG
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/PacificaAtRiverscape/photo#5114617517014870674

[Castillonis]

The Encore is a 175 foot 15 floor condominium project that is being developed by Hoyt Realty Properties at 949 NW Overton street Portland, Or. The building was designed by Boora Architects. A park will be developed adjacent to the building.

Portland Maps
http://www.portlandmaps.com/detail.cfm?action=summary&propertyid=R541387&address_id=1053052&x=7643289.528&y=687817.345&state_id=1N1E34BB%20%202626&site_name=949%20NW%20OVERTON%20ST&city=PORTLAND&ResultCount=1
Google Maps (Note that the street view is available)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=949+NW+Overton+St+portland,+oregon&sll=45.53228,-122.68035&sspn=0.0098,0.019398&ie=UTF8&ll=45.532274,-122.680904&spn=0.0049,0.009699&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1
Microsoft Maps
(2D photo)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=rknwzg4s9091&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5568023&sp=Point.rkmxjv4s8rpx_408%20NW%2012th%20Ave%2C%20Portland%2C%20OR%2097209-2943%2C%20United%20States___~Point.rkj4yp4s92xp_2211%20SW%201st%20Ave%2C%20Portland%2C%20OR%2097201-5060%2C%20United%20States___~Point.rknxht4s92z5_Mistral%20condominium___~Point.rknw5f4s93tb_azure%20condominium___~Point.rknxh04s8xm5_The%20Encore%20condominium___&encType=1
(3D need package)
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=45.532052~-122.680545&style=h&lvl=19&tilt=-24.9472474937732&dir=305.85843481443&alt=190.972085317597&sp=Point.rkmxjv4s8rpx_408%20NW%2012th%20Ave%2C%20Portland%2C%20OR%2097209-2943%2C%20United%20States___~Point.rkj4yp4s92xp_2211%20SW%201st%20Ave%2C%20Portland%2C%20OR%2097201-5060%2C%20United%20States___~Point.rknxht4s92z5_Mistral%20condominium___~Point.rknw5f4s93tb_azure%20condominium___~Point.rknxh04s8xm5_The%20Encore%20condominium___&encType=1

Interior Photo tour
http://pearldistrict.com/pearl-district-encore-pictures.html

Source
1. http://movingtoportland.net/condos_pearl.htm
2. http://chatterbox.typepad.com/portlandarchitecture/2006/08/boora_goes_for_.html

[Castillonis]

I took these photos of the Encore on 08Oct07 and 09Oct07. The third photo shows the cladding.

http://lh5.google.com/stoneyv/RwxcC4epbJI/AAAAAAAAAMY/FF4gdnfNx5M/s144/IMG_6125.JPG
From NW looking SW
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/EncoreCondominium/photo#5119568081003834514
http://lh5.google.com/stoneyv/RwxcC4epbKI/AAAAAAAAAMg/dq35Ae9Ndew/s144/IMG_6126.JPG
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/EncoreCondominium/photo#5119568081003834530
Cladding
http://lh3.google.com/stoneyv/RwxcDYepbMI/AAAAAAAAAMw/a-7dQrh3ngY/s144/IMG_6111.JPG
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/EncoreCondominium/photo#5119568089593769154
http://lh3.google.com/stoneyv/RwxcRYepbPI/AAAAAAAAANM/CN_HsYk7Oyo/s144/IMG_6114.JPG
Trains planes and Automobiles
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/EncoreCondominium/photo#5119568330111937778
http://lh4.google.com/stoneyv/Rwxe3oepbQI/AAAAAAAAANU/WQWxAMCkbgY/s144/encore.png
Panoramic
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/EncoreCondominium/photo#5119571186265189634

[asher519]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j253/asher519/PA270007.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j253/asher519/PA270010.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j253/asher519/PA270011.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j253/asher519/PA270012.jpg

[pdx2m2]

The EnCore is having their topping out party today.. ..the roof pour is done.

[Pavlov's Dog]

I wonder how long until all the people moving into the buildings next to the railroad tracks demand that they be tunneled under Naito Parkway. They are so damned noisy and have a lot movements at night.

[pdxtraveler]

There are many ways to sound insulate buildings. I bet at the prices Hoyt Properties gets, that they spent a bit on insulation. I doubt it will be that huge a concern.

[PDX City-State]

This has been an ongoing issue with residents of the Pinnacle. There is something in the works to install special equipment that would alleviate the need for train conductors to use their whistles.

[pdx2m2]

The solution to the train noise is for the City to create this area as a 'quiet zone'. This process needs to be initiated by the City and requires changing some of the equipment at the vehicular track crossings to assure safety without the loud whistles.

Once the quiet zone is created the trains are then no longer required to and prevented from blasting their horns.

I know Hoyt and the neighborhood are discussing this and suspect the City will support it given all the new development along both sides of the tracks.

[PacificNW]

Train noise comes with the package. If you purchase property next to an existing and working railroad yard you have to expect some noise. I don't think it is reasonable to expect a "100% quiet zone" in an active industrial area anymore than eliminating "noise" around racetracks or airports. (For those who recently moved into these zones...too bad for you if you don't adapt or insulate. :))

[pdx2m2]

I think there will be train noise for decades. That said this isn't really an industrial zone any more...this is downtown portland and adding the quiet zone is just good sense and is what cities across the US are doing as the urban core transforms industrial areas into living areas. The quiet zone won't be quiet..just less loud.

Ultimately the rail traffic will move to the east side...the current bends get tracks back and forth across the river make no sense and really slow down rail traffic. It's only a matter of time until either rail dies or becomes really important in which case it will stay on the east side and bypass downtown..and create a new passenger station on the east side.

[NJD]

Ultimately the rail traffic will move to the east side...the current bends get tracks back and forth across the river make no sense and really slow down rail traffic. It's only a matter of time until either rail dies or becomes really important in which case it will stay on the east side and bypass downtown..and create a new passenger station on the east side.
not really the place to debate this, but passenger rail will probably always stay on the West side due to politics. We may see all freight rail move to the East side, but I doubt it with the Industrial areas in Washington County. Anyway, my 2 cents says rail will be there, stronger if anything, in any future outcome. (check out the new funding for Amtrak and State initiated high-speed rail corridors, passenger rail is coming back! Finally.)

[Pavlov's Dog]

No matter which side of the river freight trains run on it will be tunnelled. There's a point when the value created by tunnelling of roads and railways become economically feasible because the value of the land above ground is less than the cost of tunnelling.

[zilfondel]

^ Yea, but that might not happen for a long time. Additionally, freight trains can only climb a certain max grade, making it difficult to build tunnels nearby freight yards, because they require miles of slope before it would be low enough to go under the river - but that really just compounds the cost issue.

[WestCoast]

too bad it is topped out at this height. I was hoping for 1-2 more floors to give it some contrast to the Pinnacle (?) building next door.

[pdx2m2]

more height would have been attractive...unfortunately the height limit is 175'. The Encore is about one story taller than the Pinnacle because the site is steep enough to allow the measurement of height in a more favorable way.

the new north pearl plan when approved in 2008 should allow unlimited height...or height limited only by the far and floor plate size.

[Castillonis]

I took this photo Wed November 22, 2007, 12:36:34. They installed more glass on the park side of the Encore. We might get more of a feel for what the Encore will look like soon. The Mistral is the building on the left.

http://lh5.google.com/stoneyv/R0VENKGfDVI/AAAAAAAAAX4/jK0vwm6GPJQ/s800/IMG_6570.JPG
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneyv/Encore/photo#5135585942926462290

[Castillonis]

I took this photo of the Encore at aproximately 1600 on Mon 21Jan08. I had difficulty holding my camera still let alone adjusting my exposure. I immediately went to REI and purchased some thin gloves with something equivalent to windstopper and a package of hand warmers for my coat pockets :)

1200x1055 Encore
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/41259/2004324937058543659_rs.jpg

[WestCoast]

I've decided I like the color and shape of this building.

It's got good context with the others. (tan bricks on the sides, white trim like the metropolitan, brown cladding and nice glass).

I wish this building were being built in better times. The sales office shows very few units sold as of last month when I visited. It's at the edge of the pearl, a little ways out, but is adjacent to the park and good views to the west at this time.

I wish it all the best as it continues to fill out.

[RED_PDXer]

CHOOOO CHOOOO!! [the deafening sound of a train going by at 5mph]

[Okstate]

^ do the trains run all hours? Maybe train enthusiasts will purchase these units.

[Castillonis]

Someone mentioned that the city or another entity was going to make this a hornless crossing. Sudden horn blasts would be much more significant than the continuous low frequency of the train and its motor. Many people would probably become accustomed to the motor and train noise. Plus low frequency noise does not antenuate easily without objects that have high densities/high mass. So motor/train noise is probably effects much more of the pearl.

To me, the train horn blasts that look more like an impulse function are what would be unpleasant and disruptive.

[Leo]

^ do the trains run all hours? Maybe train enthusiasts will purchase these units.


Yes, the trains, and the horns, run at all hours. My rental unit faces in that direction, too, and it doesn't bother me all that much.

However, I wouldn't buy a condo with that noise issue unless it came at a *significant* discount. In a condo, I'd be risking $100+K downpayment for the possiblity that I may not get to sleep at night - for my rental, all I'm risking a $3k security deposit. Pricing at The Encore does not seem to take the noise issue into consideration.

[pdx2m2]

Discussions are underway for the City to make this area a 'quiet zone' which would adjust the design of the vehicular crossings and minimize or eliminate the horn blasts at the crossings. I think the City has to initiate this process and believe Hoyt Street and the neighborhood are discussing this with the City.

[crow]

this one seems to got hit with the cheap stick! i recall this project teetering while the market was shifting, and as a result it looks like the materials and composition have suffered. as well rumors of being converted to apartments still haunt the streets?? i will play the wait and see, but i think we have yet to see some bold buildings in the pearl. with the metropolitan as an exception. seems like portland gets all worked up about big ideas and then flops with the execution. The pearl is an example of this exact thing - the momentum was lost, and at a time that some might say is the most important - as we close to the river.

[MOPIdaho]

I really like the bricks they used, very 1940's.

[tworivers]

crow, can you give us some specifics regarding how the materials and composition have suffered? I ask because the building looks good to me so far. Nothing spectacular, but nice: lots of glass, some curve, consistent design (unlike the "what am i" Wyatt), and I also like the brickwork.

[crow]

crow, can you give us some specifics regarding how the materials and composition have suffered? I ask because the building looks good to me so far. Nothing spectacular, but nice: lots of glass, some curve, consistent design (unlike the "what am i" Wyatt), and I also like the brickwork.
don't get me wrong - i like the curve, the shape, and the units themselves are actually pretty interesting, but with such a dynamic form - i was hoping for something a little more complex in the exterior. Instead it looks like a punched window wall system. The brick has a nice scale to it, but i wonder if another material would have been better to use to play off the curve of the form - whether metal, glass or even a measured amount of smooth concrete. As for the Wyatt - it should be named the "What" - i did not know we still built post modern at such scale. maybe someone thought there was a market for a building that tried to be of the past. i don't think the Encore is anything close to that, but at the same time i don't think the Encore pushed it's use of materials as far as it could have.

[zilfondel]

^ Seriously? You just have to look across the street to the Pinnacle to see the same kind of construction system and styling. I never thought this was going to be a very innovative building - the whole point of the design was to showcase a roundabout which they also abandoned.

[bvpcvm]

roundabout which they also abandoned.

did they actually abandon it? i thought it was still in the plans...

[Leo]

I never thought too highly of the shape ... It reminded me too much of my college dorm!

I thought the floorplans looked terrible! The angles look like they're just small enough so that they'll look like botched ninety-degree angles instead of intentional angles. But again, perhaps it reminds me too much of my freshman dorm ...

[philopdx]

Updates of The Encore. I included several closeups so people can examaine the texture of the brick and windows.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2256807856_f56caed395_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2256012573_06d61ddea1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/2256013215_dfea65baf3_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2256810036_d4ca67cb08_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2084/2256014633_8037e58454_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/2256811494_528d53a585_b.jpg

[PacificNW]

Thanks for your pics, philopdx! I like the Encore...

[tworivers]

I like the park side a lot better.

Another case where balconies are nice for residents (if there end up being any!) but ugly from the street.

zilfondel, are you sure they abandoned the roundabout? I thought it was going to be put in when the affordable housing tower goes up across the street next to the tracks.

[pdx2m2]

Thanks for the great photos.

I think the park side is looking great. It will look better when the white metal panel bands get extended across the decks. I agree that the southeast side suffers from too much balcony. Few buildings look great with so much deck yet most of the developers demand a deck for every unit.

The roundabout isn't dead it just isn't funded yet. It had a better chance of being funded when Hoyt Street was going to buy Block 5 from PDC as this would have assured some complimentary building south of the roundabout and making a strong gateway to the Pearl. Now that PDC is doing affordable housing on that site it's hard to know what will be built there and whether it will reinforce the roundabout or ignor it.

Either way the roundabout could happen if Hoyt, PDC and PDOT agree on funding the construction and maintenance issues.

[pdxf]

I agree with there being too much deck on the eastern facade (much like the western facade of the Eliot), but it's more of the treatment...long bands of deck. I think on the west they are treated quite well. For me the pattern of decks on the park side saves this building...it would be totally uninteresting and mind numbing if the arc was just a sheet of glass that you can take one look at and understand. I like that the decks aren't just tacked on, but help to create the fabric of the facade (again I'm only referencing the park facade). I like a little more depth, definition, and intricacy in my buildings, as well as a reminder that these are places for people to live.

[zilfondel]

I don't not like the building - it's a typical Pearl district 'fabric' building, albeit with higher quality materials and such. I'm not so hot on how it lines up with The Pinnacle nextdoor, and I think the roundabout side just plain sucks. The park side is really cool, though. I want to see how they are going to detail the townhouse units, too.

You might say it looks like it is challenging the Pinnacle to see who's more masculine.

The shape of the concave side of the building reminds me of the Marriott along Naito.

[zilfondel]

zilfondel, are you sure they abandoned the roundabout? I thought it was going to be put in when the affordable housing tower goes up across the street next to the tracks.

Not entirely sure, but the AMAA renderings of the Pearl District future plan just had a 3-way intersection depicted. So... we'll have to wait and see, I guess.

[MarkDaMan]

The shape of the concave side of the building reminds me of the Marriott along Naito.

I was thinking more like that horrid Holiday Inn in the Lloyd District.

[pdxskyline]

zilfondel, are you sure they abandoned the roundabout? I thought it was going to be put in when the affordable housing tower goes up across the street next to the tracks.

Is the affordable housing tower supposed to be the "mirror image" to The Encore? I remember seeing renderings of two arced footprint buildings facing off across the roundabout.

[MarkDaMan]

That was a Hoyt Street rendering. I don't think the city had any involvement with the master plan they had put together. It would be sweet to have an affordable housing tower mirror a 'luxury' tower...doubtful though.

[philopdx]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2287546040_6fd58d1e23_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2286761297_e731e9460b_b.jpg

[Castillonis]

Thanks for the photos Philodpdx

Pay attention to the glass they just installed at the entrance on the SE side of the building at the base. It is interesting.

[zilfondel]

I thought the building was going to be white, not brown!

http://www.encorepearl.com/content/pics/pics_06.jpg

[philopdx]

Update 3-08-08:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2319965159_75b42f589f_o.jpg

Closeup of Glass with Centennial Mills in the background:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2320062291_b2c4c328df_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2320875288_668780a0bf_b.jpg

[Okstate]

Great updates Phil.

[pdx2m2]

thanks for the photo updates....

after seeing the photos i drove by and checked out the low-rise building at 9th and overton...think it is live work units..the glass isn't finished yet although i like it...will be good to see what it's like with canopies etc.

[CMD UW]

I don't mind the brown spandrel colour at all.

[urbanlife]

wow, it really has been a long time since I have been in the pearl, I didnt even know this tower had capped out yet.

[philopdx]

Update 3-16-08:

Sorry for the quality of the first pano, but I couldn't get the projection right.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2340186684_eaec95aeab_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/2339354049_b769aa0658_o.jpg

[sopdx]

I know the final product will look much better, but at this stage it kinda looks like a Holiday Inn.

[WestCoast]

crane is coming down today.

Never seen them do it during a work day, usually Fri/Sat/Sun. Wonder why.

[philopdx]

Update 3-22-08:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2352990953_1afabe87c0_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2353822416_d547beb64e_b.jpg

[Sekkle]

Here are a couple pics I took yesterday (3/27/08). I think they came out ok considering I was driving over the Fremont Bridge and just tried to aim my camera out the passenger's side window. :D
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj223/Brizzle78/Portland/IMG_5537.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj223/Brizzle78/Portland/IMG_5535.jpg

[pdx2m2]

Thanks for the photo updates...the first one from the freemont bridge really shows the building and it's relationship to the future park.

Last I heard the Fields Park was still on hold...anyone with news on the status of the Park.

[MarkDaMan]

^it certainly isn't on hold due to lack of money...the Pearl URD is FLUSH with money. Maybe they want to integrate it with the new centennial mills project?

[2oh1]

Update 3-22-08:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2352990953_1afabe87c0_b.jpg

I'm trying to decide if I like or hate the row of Donkey Kong staggered balconies. That part of the building seems a little off...? I'm not sure about the whole building, really. I was expecting it to be so much more striking.

[MarkDaMan]

^it's a background building and nothing more. 937 on the other hand will be a talking point for years to come, regardless of what people think of it.

[tworivers]

I like the staggered balconies for breaking up what would otherwise be completely predictable monotony.

And I pretty much agree with Mark.

[pdx2m2]

I looked at the renderings again and think the impact of the staggered balconies will be greater once they are clad in the white metal panel...looks like all the short bands of metal panel get connected across the balconies...will be good to see how this turns out.

[Castillonis]

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/51805/2001001658875617206_rs.jpg

Notice the brick w/ a 3 dimensional surface versus the flat planar surface
800x600
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/48883/2001057478232512750_rs.jpg

Close up of the dimensional surface of the brick
800x600
http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/51332/2001012741099319803_rs.jpg

I wonder how the brown material on the windows effects the absorption of the solar energy on the SE facing curtian and thus the HVAC.
Does the darker color increase the amount of energy absorbed?
Does the deck above act as an eve permiting early lower angle sunlight and blocking high angle afternoon sunlight after the ambient temp is higher.
The other big curtian is NW.

NOTE: I took these photos on Sat 05Apr08

[zilfondel]

dark colors absorb and transmit energy at a faster rate than lighter colors. So it goes both ways.

I think those panels have insulation behind them, however. Code (particularly LEED) makes you thermally decouple external/internal elements, particularly the floor slab from the curtain wall, which is what you are seeing.

Allowing light to fall inside the units will affect the solar heat gain of a dwelling far more than just about any other factor, except when you open a window and let the outside air in.

And yes, the decks do act to limit solar gain during summer. Note that horizontal sun shades are practically useless on the west side of a building - its better to use vertical ones.

[MarkDaMan]

Buyers reluctant to play pioneer
The Encore - The less-pricey building on the tip of the Pearl has sold just 12 units
Sunday, April 06, 2008
The Oregonian

"They're not as decisive as they once were." Tiffany Sweitzer Pearl District condo developer

Developer Tiffany Sweitzer, one of the Pearl District's most prolific developers, has two condo buildings within a few blocks of each other that symbolize the rise and fall of Portland's condo craze -- the Metropolitan and the Encore.

At Northwest 10th Avenue and Lovejoy Street, the modern Metropolitan rises 19 stories, wrapped in glass, concrete and cream travertine. The building, one of the city's priciest, hit the sales market in 2005 when condos were the rage. Three-bedroom penthouses with towering views fetched $3 million.

Sweitzer, president of Hoyt Street Properties, ran a lottery to sort through the potential buyers. About 500 people entered to make deposits on the building's 136 condos.

Construction finished last fall, and the buyers had to close their purchases. But 70 backed out. Some couldn't get a mortgage. Some just weren't interested any longer. Some got new jobs.

Sweitzer and her staff managed to make up a lot of those losses, selling 35 condos in the past six months. The building is about 80 percent sold.

Then there's the Encore, just three blocks north on 10th and Northwest Overton Street. The curved, 16-story building rises next to land that will become the Pearl's largest park. The sales prices are a bit more moderate than the Metropolitan but still pricey.

Sweitzer opened sales for the 177 condos early in 2007 and the building is scheduled to finish late this year.

The tally so far: just 12 sales.

The unsteady economy, tightened lending and a glut of condos aren't helping. But the Encore is a tougher sell because it sits on the Pearl's northern edge and next to railroad tracks, leaving Sweitzer and her staff to sell buyers on a life as temporary urban pioneers until the neighborhood fills out.

Sweitzer says today's buyers are different. They're less willing to buy a concept without a condo to inspect.

"They're not as decisive as they once were," she said. -- Ryan Frank

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1207373132140540.xml&coll=7

[pdx2m2]

As always thanks for the photo updates.

The south balconies are also acting as sun shades and helping with the solar gain problem mentioned above. Sunshades / balconies are only effective on the southern exposures as they block the high summer sun and allow the low winter sun to enter the units. They also provide some shading to the wall surfaces although as noted these are not as critical as the vision glass as the walls are well insulated.

[philopdx]

Update 4-12-08:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2412179806_0089cc764c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2412179008_71f1290d12_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2411351805_1c183394a9_b.jpg

[pdx2m2]

thanks for the photo updates...

i like that they are finally wrapping the northwest decks with the white metal panel...looks like only one is done so far but I think it will look good and increase the visual power of the horizontal white bands.

[crow]

thanks for the photo updates...

i like that they are finally wrapping the northwest decks with the white metal panel...looks like only one is done so far but I think it will look good and increase the visual power of the horizontal white bands.

i agree the white bands are really going to help stitch this together. hopefully it will liven up the otherwise brown palette.

[philopdx]

Update 4-19-08:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2426737265_30cefe7268_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2427552338_5b420b293f_b.jpg

[philopdx]

Update 4-26-08:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/2445156603_52847c0cb5_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2238/2445983070_88e6957e8f_b.jpg

[philopdx]

Update 5-10-08: Glass and Cladding Action

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2482449614_f09beb219a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2482449802_5aca96ea2f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2481637507_df3231434a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2481638043_53ed220082_b.jpg

[WestCoast]

is this one apartments yet?

[dkealoha]

They put up advertisements all over my building (Kearney Plaza) and gave us all our "credits for condos" balance in hopes that people here will buy...

[MarkDaMan]

Two sent to hospital after explosion at NW Portland condo
Portland Tribune
KPAM 860, Jun 12, 2008

An explosion at a condominium building under construction in Northwest Portland sent two workers to the hospital on Thursday afternoon. One of those workers was electrocuted and seriously burned, fire officials said.

The blast happened at approximately 2 p.m.

“The burn victim was outside, was operating a drill into the ground and must have hit a power line that was connected into a mechanical room in the basement,” said Portland Fire Bureau Lt. Al Oswalt. “It blew out in the mechanical room and burned a significant amount of plastic off of the big wires down in that room.”

That put off a lot of smoke. The worker who was in the mechanical room at the time of the blast suffered smoke inhalation severe enough to be taken to Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital. Seven other workers rushed down to the basement to help. They too suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.

The worker who was electrocuted suffered burns to his arms and face and was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. He was in critical condition, but he was expected to survive. Oswalt said he was alert and conscious when crews arrived.

“With the amount of electricity involved…he is lucky to be alive,” Oswalt said.

The 13-story Encore Condos are located at 949 NW Overton St.

Oswalt said Oregon OSHA would be investigating.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=121331629967104900

[philopdx]

Update 7-5-2008: This one's almost a wrap, as far as external work goes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2644404548_1b6f157de9_b.jpg

[NewUrbanist]

Happened to be walking past the Encore last night on my way home. I saw a slew of Service Master vehicles out front and asked on of the guys standing around what happened. He had an Thyseen Krupp shirt on and offered me some crazy information about the Encore.

From what I understand, this Monday a water main burst in a 9th floor condo of the Encore. Water poured off the balcony, which is the first sign of a problem, but the security guard not realizing that something was wrong, didn't report it. When the building manager arrived on Tuesday, the condo was flooded with a foot and half of water and had been gushing out into the central corridors, stairwells, and down through the elevator shaft.

The water moved through the whole building, destroying the hardwood floors and the lower portions of the italian cabinets of any condo whose front door was slightly ajar, which was many. There was some serious damage to corridor carpets, and drywall. The damage also included the mechanical systems of the elevators and filled the lower floor of the parking lot.

Too bad, as the building was nearing completion and had model units ready for viewing. From the outside, the building looked pretty top notch, but still a little conservative in its design.

[pdxman]

^^^Wow, that is very bad news. So what the heck happens now?

[NewUrbanist]

From what I understand, first is a million dollar plus clean up job to remove all of the water. Than an assessment of the damage caused, and then a full tear out of the problem areas. They will likely need to tear out drywall, carpets, and hardwoods (ie. Patch jobs).

Though, since this will likely fall to the insurance company, I would be surprised if there were any long lasting mold issues in the building.

My buddy worked for Service Master until a few months ago, and he showed me a neat tool they used. Fireman use it to detect hot spots in buildings, but it also works for cold ones too... Its a laser pointed thermometer that can show cold spots of water damage. Nifty tool for clean up.

[CouvScott]

Wood floors, insulation and elevator control panel are damaged just before tower work was scheduled to finish

POSTED: 04:00 AM PDT Tuesday, August 26, 2008
BY TYLER GRAF

Eight weeks before construction on the Encore condominium tower was set to finish, the building found itself left out to dry.

Literally.

Last week, the under-construction project experienced significant water damage resulting from a supply valve leak on the building’s ninth floor. The leak damaged wood floors, insulation, cooked portions of the elevator’s control panel and has delayed the construction schedule for the 15-story, curved condo tower.

The leak started in a ninth-story unit, when a brass casting on a water supply valve cracked.

The water seeped through the floor panels and made its way to the elevator shaft.

Through the elevator shaft, the water dripped and seeped its way to the basement, where it caused insulation damage to the top of the roof of the building’s underground parking garage.

Wood floors throughout the complex were warped due to the water damage, said Doug Shapiro, head of construction for the Encore’s development team at Hoyt Street Properties. Andersen Construction is providing general contractor services for the project.

Portions of the building drenched hardest by the leak were dehumidified; the wood flooring will be replaced. The elevator’s control panel will have to be replaced as well.

The water damage is being addressed, but Tiffany Sweitzer of Hoyt Street Properties expects delays due to the leak and resulting cleanup.

Neither Hoyt Street Properties nor the building’s contractor have set a new timetable for the building’s completion, according to Shapiro.

The monetary value of the damage, too, has yet to be calculated. Shapiro and Andersen Construction are still working out how to quantify the amount of damage done.

“This can’t happen,” Shapiro said. “Evaluating this, clearly it was the (supply valve) manufacturer’s fault.”

Still, Shapiro sees the leak as a teachable moment. Regardless of the root cause, leaks often happen, and they can be devastating if no one is around to catch them.

Shapiro is looking into investing in an alarm system that would notify workers of inconsistent flow rates, which is often a clear sign of a leak.

He may also institute what’s known as a “fire watch” for the remainder of the Encore’s construction schedule, in which the building would be monitored by a guard after hours. The water leak occurred at approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 18, after construction workers had left the site.

It has been a rough summer for the Encore. In June, a small explosion rocked the Encore when a worker drilled into an electrical feed. The Andersen Construction employee suffered from burns and smoke inhalation. Eight other workers also suffered from smoke inhalation.

“It’s been a frustrating summer for us,” Shapiro said. “We were so close.”

[pdxcrow]

Would be interesting to know how many of these brass castings there are. If it truly is the manufacturer's fault then the others could go in the future.

[Leo]

That can't be good for sales ...

If I was a potential buyer, I would be concerned about what other parts are going to break after I buy. I've had to deal with new construction defects in my previous condo, and I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone ...

[rsbear]

That can't be good for sales ...

If I was a potential buyer, I would be concerned about what other parts are going to break after I buy. I've had to deal with new construction defects in my previous condo, and I wouldn't wish that experience on anyone ...

I hear ya - I've been lucky and had almost no problems in my new condo, but some of my neighbors have been through hell, almost all dealing with plumbing. Glad I'm on the top floor.

[smendesPDX]

yea this freaks me out, and once you tear up materials and re install, its still never the same again