1998  :  McKenzie Lofts, The Pearl District, Portland, Oregon

 Completed while employed at Ankrom Moisan Assciated Architects.

My time at Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects was marked by a number of large, mixed-use projects within Portland's historic Pearl District. Their remodel of the Chown Pella Building afforded me a brief taste of this type of project. However, their next building (for the same developer) allowed me to be a part of the project from the start. McKenzie Lofts was a new, half-block, mixed use building that reflects the light industrial and warehouse architecture of the area. The ground level concrete wall with brick pilasters establishes a strong visual base for the residential units above. In turn, the loft units provide open, flexible living spaces with balconies and roof terraces - enhancing connection with the surrounding neighborhood.

Portlandcondos.com has created a short video about McKenzie Lofts.

Building statistics:

  • Client:  Carroll Investments
  • Contractor:  Howard S. Wright
  • Construction Budget:  $8,900,000
  • Architectural Style:  NW Industrial
  • Use:  mixed-use (residential, office, retail, parking)
  • Square Footage:  134,000 gross s.f. in 5 stories plus below-grade parking.
  • Program:
    * 68 residential units (682 - 1,672 s.f. each)
    *  9 retail units
  • Awards:
    • 1998 Excellence in Concrete
    • 1998 Hammurabai Award of Excellence for use of Masonry
    • 1999 Governor’s Livability Award
  • See also:  debbiethomas.com