Leo, you're right. The building Nordstrom Rack is in downtown
is a perfect example of an above ground garage that works. I lived in Portland for over a decade before I realized this garage was above ground. I never thought about it since it doesn't look like an above ground garage - which isn't to say all above ground garages are good, but rather, that it can be done well.
[EDIT] How do I embed a google street view map in a post here? I'd have done that instead of using a link if I knew how.