James Beard Public Market | Proposed

[DMH]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Looks really nice. I think there are plans to expand into adjacent spaces, so there might be an entrance off pioneer square one day. That building along Morrison is gorgeous and would be a great spot.

Funny you would mention that. I was the person at the big open house in the future space for the market a year or so ago, who button-holed BCV Principal Hans Baldauf to urge him to lay out the market with an eye to avoid placing stairs or restrooms in the pathway of a potential market expansion through the block to Morrison and Broadway. In particular, I said that a major market entrance could be at the ornate entrance canopy of the American Bank Building which faces Pioneer Courthouse Square. It's a no-brainer. Hans Baldauf assured me that he would take a.close look at the whole block.

[maccoinnich]

Via Portland Maps, a structural permit was issued for work at the James Beard Public Market:

JAMES BEARD PUBLIC MARKET (622) - STR-01 - Strengthen existing floor systems, bring first floor to a consistent, legal head height, and provide atrium openings. Strengthening of existing connections and floor framing will accommodate new floor assemblies (dead loads) and increased building occupancy live load.

[maccoinnich]

Notice of a Type II Decision

[maccoinnich]

Request for Response for alternations to the Selling Building

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Request for Response for alternations to the Selling Building

I’m excited to see the original 1930s facade coming back - is there an image of what that looks like? I thought I saw one, perhaps in this thread, that looked really ornate. Are they referring to the main entrance on Alder or the frontage along 6th?

[maccoinnich]

Notice of a Public Hearing for the Selling Building Alterations.

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

I’m excited to see the original 1930s facade coming back - is there an image of what that looks like? I thought I saw one, perhaps in this thread, that looked really ornate. Are they referring to the main entrance on Alder or the frontage along 6th?

The drawing package should be posted by early next week; if the architects were able to find historic photos, I'd imagine they'll be in included in the package.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Notice of a Public Hearing for the Selling Building Alterations.



The drawing package should be posted by early next week; if the architects were able to find historic photos, I'd imagine they'll be in included in the package.

From my photo searches, it looks like the Selling Building will have much more expansive windows but not sure what other changes are in store. The Ungar Building, where the main entrance will be on Alder, used to be much more ornate and was originally built about 100 years ago to rival the shopping arcades of the east coast. There were boutiques etc up on the second floor, including a Nordstrom fur shop. Sounds like that mezzanine will return with a wine bar etc. The market renderings thus far don’t show a return of that facade, maybe it was torn apart in the remodels decades ago. But I like the timber beams etc that they have planned at the entrance.

[maccoinnich]

Drawings [54 MB] for the Selling Building Renovations, and a Staff Report, which recommends approval. There are some historic elevations and photos of the building towards the end of the drawing packet.

[MoreAllowance]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Drawings [54 MB] for the Selling Building Renovations, and a Staff Report, which recommends approval. There are some historic elevations and photos of the building towards the end of the drawing packet.

I didn't realize the space was so small. When I imagine public markets, I think of almost warehouse sized spaces with dozens of vendors from farmers to small batch products and counter service dining, essentially an indoor PSU Market. This looks like a Pine Street Market but 1/3 the size. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by MoreAllowance

I didn't realize the space was so small. When I imagine public markets, I think of almost warehouse sized spaces with dozens of vendors from farmers to small batch products and counter service dining, essentially an indoor PSU Market. This looks like a Pine Street Market but 1/3 the size. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.

This is just the review for the portion of the market that will be located in the Selling Building, where Payless shoes and a portion of the former Rite Aid used to be. The market extends into the adjacent Ungar Building, where it will span three floors plus a roof terrace.

[MoreAllowance]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

This is just the review for the portion of the market that will be located in the Selling Building, where Payless shoes and a portion of the former Rite Aid used to be. The market extends into the adjacent Ungar Building, where it will span three floors plus a roof terrace.

Ahh, that explains it. Is there a floor plan of the entire ground floor market space anywhere? Or will the market be on multiple floors as well?

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by MoreAllowance

Ahh, that explains it. Is there a floor plan of the entire ground floor market space anywhere? Or will the market be on multiple floors as well?

I haven't seen a current floor plan that spans both buildings, but here is the full case file [55 MB] showing approval of the Ungar building alterations. Pages 35 to 38 show the floor plans.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by MoreAllowance

I didn't realize the space was so small. When I imagine public markets, I think of almost warehouse sized spaces with dozens of vendors from farmers to small batch products and counter service dining, essentially an indoor PSU Market. This looks like a Pine Street Market but 1/3 the size. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.

Pine Street Market is 10,000 sq feet, and James Beard Market will be 38,000.

[MoreAllowance]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Pine Street Market is 10,000 sq feet, and James Beard Market will be 38,000.

I saw those numbers as well, but I couldn't find the details that corroborated it as far publicly accessible floor plans go. The full case file provided by maccoinnich was much more clear. It's the ground floor of 610 SW Alder St. (7,500 sft) + ground floor 622 SW Alder St (8,750 sft) + 2nd story 22 SW Alder St (8,750 sft) + rooftop 22 SW Alder St (8,750 sft) = 33,750 sft of market space, which excludes the 22 SW Alder St basement and any other storage. Very cool and much larger than I originally expected!

[maccoinnich]

Group approves alterations for public market in Portland



Portland’s Historic Landmarks Commission on Monday unanimously approved plans for to alter the two lower levels of the 12-story Selling Building for the James Beard Public Market.

The building is located at 610 S.W. Alder St. The project also includes modifying space in an adjacent building at 622 S.W. Alder St. The entire façade of 622 S.W. Alder St. and the first two stories of the Selling Building are being reconstructed to provide new market entries.

The project team includes lead architect and architect of record BCV Architecture + Interiors of San Francisco, local architect COLAB Architecture + Urban Design, civil engineer Humber Design Group, and general contractor Hoffman Construction.

...continues at the DJC ($).

[MoreAllowance]

https://www.nextportland.com/2026/05/12/designs-for-james-beard-public-market-approved-images/

This place is MASSIVE. Very excited.