The Pearl District, a former warehouse and industrial area near downtown
Portland, Oregon; has transformed itself to be the arguably hottest
urban neighborhood in America right now. Old warehouses have been remodeled
to be luxurious loft buildings and the Pearl District neighborhood is
packed with art galleries, upscale business and world-class dining.
HISTORY
A local art gallery owner coined the
name Pearl District more than 10 years ago to suggest that
its industrial buildings were like crusty oysters, and that
the galleries and artists’ lofts within were like pearls. As
local business people were looking to label the growing
area—the “warehouse district” or the “brewery district” were
two suggestions—a writer for Alaska Airlines picked up the
Pearl District name, and it stuck. Since then the area has
undergone significant development and is now full of condos
and lofts.
CULTURE & AMENITIES
The
Pearl District neighborhood is unmatched in the Northwest when
it comes to access to restaurants, parks, entertainment, theatre and
public transportation. Just recently the
Gerding Theatre
at the Portland Armory Building opened its doors and is now
serving Broadway theatre to its Pearl District neighbors.
The
Portland Streetcar runs through the
Pearl District and transports passengers from the downtown Portland
to Northwest Portland. Art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants abound,
and there are also a number of small clubs and bars. The Pearl District
is also home to a number of local artists and art institutions.
Area
art galleries sponsor artists’ receptions on the first Thursday of every
month. The area is home to several Portland icons, including Powell’s
City of Books and the former Weinhard Brewery, which is now the foundation
of the re-developed
Brewery Blocks. Free Wireless Internet is available
throughout the Pearl District, which is provided by Personal Telco.
The Pearl district is home of the historic North Park Blocks, as well
as two recently developed public plazas:
* Jamison Square is built around a fountain which simulates a tidal
pool that is periodically filled by artificial waterfalls *
Tanner Springs
Park is a recreated natural area featuring wetlands, walking trail,
and creek
Condo and loft buildings in the Pearl District include:
The North Park Lofts, Elizabeth Lofts, The Avenue Lofts,
The Edge, The Gregory, Marshall Wells Lofts, Pearl Lofts, Street Car
Lofts, 937 Glisan, The Casey, The Encore, The Henry, The Lexis, The
Pinnacle and many many more...
