New Condos In Multnomah Village

If you drive around close-in Portland neighborhoods these days it’s easy to find a new condo or apartment project going up, even in the increasingly gloomy economy. A case in point is the new Vanguard condos at SW 45th and Multnomah.

I’ve always been more a fan of the east side, downtown and the Pearl than the winding sidewalk-less streets of Southwest. But Multnomah Village is a wonderful little neighborhood that feels like the old town center it used to be when one of the state’s first railroad stops was built here a century ago. I particularly enjoy the Fat City Café for its hash browns and Annie Bloom’s books. And now, the Vanguard is increasing the density of this area, and doing so with a modestly handsome look.

Originating from the same owners who developed the brilliant Rick Potestio-designed Lair Condominiums, The Vanguard began as a project for DiLoreto Architecture but has been finished up by architect Bryce Allison and his small firm, Divergent Design & Architecture. The project features six small condo units, three garden level studios and three upper level one-bedroom units.

“This is the third project we designed for the site,” Allison says. “The first two just didn’t pencil once the bank got involved. This last version is a bit compromised as it was originally laid out as six apartments then flipped back to condos during the permitting phase. It’s a tiny yet efficient project, and the client is very excited about what we’ve created together. Nearly two and a half years ago they asked us to design them something ‘Dwell cool’. All things considered, we feel like we did a good job of getting close."

Noticeable right away is the wood exterior cladding, which seems to be what will mark this era of multi-family housing in Portland. It livens up what is otherwise a pretty boxy, simple form. Hopefully, as with other wood exteriors such as the Thurman Street Lofts and Belmont Lofts by Holst Architecture, or the B39 condos going up at SE 39th and Belmont, these facades will still look good in twenty or thirty years.

Meanwhile, congratulations to Bryce Allison as the latest young architect to take the reigns and start getting things built. I know many architects who want be designing and developing stuff, but it takes a certain breed to make it happen.

Comments

[inquisitive]

tight-knot cedar with a clear finish? I hope the condo owners realize that they will need to refinish the wood every year or so to keep it looking that good.

any wagers that it will be painted within 10 years?

[Maryetta J.]

Brian, have you actually seen the B39 condos as of late? probably one of the most hideous projects in town. I think someone lost the CA contract on that one because it looks nothing like the glossy 3-d image posted on site. I rank it #2 right behind the argyle sock building by Bob Schatz, near the onramp of division and I-205

[gmart]

by 'a certain breed'of young architect, do you refer to that breed that has ample amounts of cash over and above what a young architect's salary provides? we've heard you make this argument before,regarding a current young self-financed darling of the design scheme.
it reminds me of the 'good breeding' argument the moneyed classes use to explain leadership: a euphemism for 'daddy's money'.

[BrianLibby]

Gmart, you make a good point about do-it-yourself architecture: that it takes money, and not everybody has that. However, it's not all about money. It's also about risk and wanting to be running your own show instead of being at a firm. One's not better than the other per se. If I was talking about a 'certain breed', I didn't mean to be euphamistic or derogatory towards anyone, but instead to merely make a disctinction: that this sort of course isn't the right move for all architects. However, as someone who works for himself, I have an inclination to admire those going about designing and building somewhat on their own. So there aren't any sinister implications in what I said, but I don't blame you for being sensitive about the issue and how it's characterized.