Portland Two

Gerding Theater at the Armory

Portland has an interesting mix of architecture from classical western to contemporary, along with one particularly interesting repurposed building, the Gerding Theater. The Portland Armory, c. 1889, was designated an historic building and converted to a performing arts space in 2006.  With stone and wood trusses, the structure retains its 30-inch thick brick walls. Imagine, 30 inches thick, I could hear a fly buzzing through the walls of some apartments I’ve rented. All of these shots were done with the natural light that comes through roof panels and windows. 

For largest display, click on the individual image

Here are a few of the structures I found interesting in the downtown area. 

Center for Performing Arts

Cinema 21

Deschutes Brewery

Jackson Tower

Pioneer Plaza

Pioneer Courthouse

Vintage Plaza

Portland Theater

A Portland institution as notable as any theater or museum is Powell’s Books, the world’s largest independent book store. Housing 1.5 million books in 3,500 different sections, Powell’s occupies an entire city block.  

If you are looking for a rare or out of print book, start here.

Entrance

Photography section, my favorite

I’ll end this virtual tour with a unique urban feature. Tanner Springs Park is a wetlands preserve in the formally industrial Pearl District. The park transformed a contaminated city block into a healthy bioswale, a channel which filters rainwater from debris and pollution and recirculates it through the park. Reclaimed materials create interesting backdrops and walkways. Tanner Springs Park is considered an oasis for over 72 species of native plants  and other wildlife …  as well as humans.  

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