Northeast 6th and Couch will be the location for a new mixed use building consisting of 3,800 square feet of ground-floor retail space, seven ground-floor live/work units, and 69 market-rate apartments.  The project will be constructed in Portland’s popular Central Eastside neighborhood on a 20,000 square-foot site that fronts the new $22 million Burnside Couch Couplet project, and is one half-block away from the planned eastside extension of the Portland Streetcar.  The project is located within an area known as “Lower Burnside” that has seen rapid redevelopment and has become home to many popular restaurants, bars, and galleries. 

The design of the project will capitalize on the predominantly industrial character of the Central Eastside neighborhood and will incorporate corrugated metal siding, concrete floors, exposed steel, and industrial-style roll-up doors. Amenities for the project such as bicycle storage lockers and repair rooms will cater to Portland’s increasing population of bicycle commuters.  The project will achieve LEED silver status, with further sustainable features in the works.

The project has been conceived to meet the unique and growing demand for rental housing within Portland’s Central Eastside, which is largely subject to the City of Portland’s industrial zoning “IG1” designation that prohibits mixed use or residential development.  While the supply of new housing units is restricted due to zoning, the 650-acre Central Eastside Industrial District has become a sought-after neighborhood for creative businesses such as film production, design, and other professional services because of its edgy industrial character, supply of old warehouse structures, and very close proximity to downtown Portland and the convention center.

We are currently in the process of refining our design with the help of Vallaster Corl Architects, and expect to begin construction sometime in 2010.