South of Burnside

[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.

[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.