Paw Construction To Be Halted - Page 2

Tykendo · #21 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 1:30 AM**

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Can you say "Morrison Tower" all over again. Look what replaced that project, ODS bland design tower. This is truly sad. With all the downer news, at least watching the PAW go up would have given hope that anything is possible if you dream. This is news to make you go low and left. Another stumpy building. Thanks for turning a Ferrari into a Pacer.

philopdx · #22 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 2:04 AM**

I didn't realize up until now how much psychic energy I had invested in this building and the pride I had in its impact on the skyline. How humiliating and exasperating.

If they can't go all the way, then don't build it. They should wait until market conditions improve, or have the city revoke their permit and bring someone in who can actually do the %@$^@%$ job.

Maybe the park next door might actually be done now by the time PAW goes up.

bvpcvm · #23 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 2:28 AM**

OMG this totally sucks. As someone else said, I was feeling pretty good that at least THIS building was going up. And I was really looking forward to seeing it tower over Nordstrom's.

MarkDaMan · #24 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 3:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by philopdx

or have the city revoke their permit and bring someone in who can actually do the %@$^@%$ job.

Interesting! Can the city deny permits they submit for a revised project? Force them to stop until they build what they proposed? That hole didn't come cheap, and I can't imagine TMT would just abandon it.

At already 50% leased, it seems like they could swallow some additional office space. 10 floors of condos is what, 6 to 8 floors of office space?

NJD · #25 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 3:27 AM**

I am surprised, are many on this forum only wanting height? A skyline? We live in Portland: an amazingly livable and progressive city that 30 years ago started pulling itself out of 75 years of bad planning and decision making, environmentally devastating industry, extreme racism, long hard economic recessions, and falling behind all other Pacific seaports as shipping technology has advanced.

I actually think this is good. The PAW, Weave and ZGF are being built/proposed at market conditions. Large empty buildings are not good for the developers nor the public. We are now seeing the local design movers and shakers aiming at smaller, better projects that focus on details not just the bottom line. Remember the $/sf quotes about ZGF or the Weave's taller versions, and how they could actually use better materials after the projects were scaled back. The same will happen with the PAW. Now that its profile in the sky is less visible to prospective clients, the folks at TVA are probably working on making a shorter building more attractive.

I am for Stumptown to remain 'Stump'town. Leave building 'livable streets' obtrusive megatowers to the ego-junkies of the world.

... my 2 cents

Port-of-Lands · #26 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 3:52 AM**

I would agree with most of your comment, but I do think that we need a few taller buildings to take the attention off of the Wells Fargo Center. I can see that building from all over town!

NJD · #27 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 4:14 AM**

^ Agreed, our skyline is outdated from an architectural stand point, but with more and more commercial tenants desiring 'green,' I'm hoping most of our 60's - 80's designed towers get new life (and potentially modern double skin facades) within the next 10-15 years.

zilfondel · #28 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 4:21 AM**

this is so disappointing.

Tykendo · #29 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 5:37 AM**

Some of America's greatest architectural marvels came during the Great Depression. I'm not comparing PAW with say, the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building, but a gleaming new tower would show a vision and an ability to overcome obstacles. Downsizing this building into a who cares, just another infill job doesn't inspire. It's not just the height, but the design. It was a nice piece of design work. Like Morrison Tower, it was outside the Portland box. Everytime something that would enhance Portland doesn't get built or gets voted down, Portland takes a step back in the world of commerce. If everything got put on the back burner or downsized, Monuments to man's persiverence over the elements would never get done or be attempted. Can You imagine the Empire State or Chrysler at 40 stories? Stick to the vision, look for alternative financing, and gitter done. One more thing, i wouldn't be surprised if prospective tenants, looking to locate in a landmark building, might start pulling out if this project becomes another ODS.

RoseCtyRoks · #30 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 5:37 AM**

They just might lose Stoel Rives and Nike Town, if there is this huge delay in constuction. I sure hope we'll be hearing of this taking a different turn in the coming weeks, and somehow the original plans could play out. Sure seems like a quick decision, but they've probably just kept it under wraps...

nobody · #31 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 6:17 AM**

Total bummer, and as mentioned before as a Boise transplant I now feel right at home. Bleh.

tworivers · #32 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 6:19 AM**

How about them Blazers?

bvpcvm · #33 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 6:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJD

I am surprised, are many on this forum only wanting height? A skyline?

I think when a lot of us saw it in those first renderings, part of why we liked it was the proportions. I don't think you can just chop off ten floors without losing something - and you probably can't just blithely add ten floors either without changing the whole perspective. Of course, you're right, there are elements of penis envy here, but that's not the whole story.

urbanlife · #34 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 7:35 AM**

this just in...the Weave will have a design change and now they will simply be repainting the current building on the lot and call it good....seriously, this is the next bit of news I am now waiting for.

RoseCtyRoks · #35 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 8:07 AM**

Love it, urbanlife!! We all needed a good laugh about now! And yeah, how 'bout them Blazers, tworivers? Good to get our minds on the many GOOD things still going on here in PDX, when you hear news like this, along with Vestas, etc... But when the market returns....look UP (literally!)

MightyAlweg · #36 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 10:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilfondel

Considering the vast oversupply of condos, it wouldn't make sense to be building anymore for... how many years? 3-5?

I would bet it won't make sense to build more luxury condo towers for 7 to 10 years. Look at the massive oversupply in South Waterfront alone, without even scratching the surface of what is already sitting empty in The Pearl. Heck, there's an oversupply of luxury apartments now too, with Cyan, Portland Center conversions and reconversions, etc.

They've built enough condos to last through most of the next decade.

And that's not just a Portland thing. It's just as bad in San Diego and Orange County as well. I'm sure there are also similar scenarios in Seattle, the Bay Area, etc.

crow · #37 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 4:26 PM**

they should just wait until some market (condo/office) rebounds and can absorb the extra 10 floors. i would guess that the 9 month delay might just be for a redesign of the tower without the condos and nothing more. then again, who knows - maybe the law firm should be shopping somewhere else or stay put? i would love to see some more tall buildings in portland filling in some big gaps in our skyline.

bvpcvm · #38 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 8:06 PM**

the law firm, the article says, will only face a 3-month delay, since, with 10 fewer floors, the delay won't push back completion by much. but i suppose that if the market improves in 9 months they could always use the old plans... wishful thinking, probably.

Valentij · #39 Posted: **Apr 11, 2009, 10:43 PM**

This was the worst news I've heard in a while. And then, to pour salt in the wound, they talk about lopping off the top 10 stories. I concur with those who would almost rather not have it at all than to have another half-assed building in Portland. I was so looking forward to something taking the wind out of the KOIN tower's sails. I guess our skyline will continue to be dominated by the 70s and 80s.

Can's some of these TARP-funded financial monoliths get some of their dollars moving on a good investment? I think the Fed should print some money to lend to Moyer. I'm sure the taxpayer would get it back with jobs and interest. This seems more "shovel ready" and stimulative than any other plan I've heard.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the public exposure will wake somebody up who needs to park some money somewhere.

RoseCtyRoks · #40 Posted: **Apr 12, 2009, 1:29 AM**

If this were to be cut to 22 floors of office and retail, I'm wondering if the height would be 300' to 350', and if there would still be the slant designs and spire at the top, with such a reduction. I would think several changes in the plans will be forthcomimg, not just chopping off 10 floors.

Will the tower crane come down, or continue to be staged there til this resumes? I'm going to TRY to stay positive, and hope that this tower, will still somehow come to be, like originally planned. Many things could change in 9 months (ask my wife about her pregnancies!)