Pine Street Studios and the Emergence of Lower Burnside

The old Pine Street Theater near Southeast Ninth and Sandy (also known as La Luna for some of its run) saw many acclaimed bands play there over the years: Nirvana, Everclear, Sleater-Kinney. (I saw great performances by Fugazi and Tricky.) But in more recent times the old theater and the building it was part of fell into disrepair.

Now, however, the building has been rechristened as the Pine Street Studios. Currently under construction, the building was purchased by developer/designer Kenton Wiens and will soon be home to a variety of creative-industry professionals. An advertising firm has already moved in, with a chocolatier perhaps next.

Visiting recently, it was a little sad to see the old Pine Street/La Luna stage divided up into a handful of units. But Wiens definitely has a sense of the history that happened there, and hopes to preserve what he can. Outside, for example, a telephone pole covered in inches of old rock poster shreds, will be sealed in a transparent material. Inside, the rough material palette of concrete and steel will largely remain.

The Pine Street Studios is also further proof of the blossoming of Lower Burnside. Nearby Holst Architecture has its office, and the excellent New American Art Union gallery is just a block away as well. The Jupiter Hotel and Doug Fir restaurant/bar have already become a landmark, and a little closer to MLK Boulevard there is a cluster of small shops and eateries in those unique buildings that actually stretch over the sidewalk with a colonnade. (Why isn't this kind of pedestrian/architectural relationship considered in other parts of town?)

It may sound funny, but I actually wonder if the Burnside Bridgehead will almost spoil the grassroots appeal of this emerging arts district. Or will it just enhance what's happening? For better or worse, it seems the pace of development in Lower Burnside will soon increase exponentially. I just hope there remains room for littler projects like the Pine Street Studios. Big condo towers and spendy retail outlets have their place, but I hope there will also remain places more akin to used record stores and vintage clothiers, places like this.

Comments

[Bob R.]

"...and a little closer to MLK Boulevard there is a cluster of small shops and eateries in those unique buildings that actually stretch over the sidewalk with a colonnade. (Why isn't this kind of pedestrian/architectural relationship considered in other parts of town?)"

If you look very closely at those colonnades, you will see that the original buildings, when constructed, had main floors that extended all the way to the outer columns.

It was only when Burnside was widened into a major artierial at some point in the past, when these buildings had to be modified, moving their main floors in from the columns to allow sidewalks to exist at all on Burnside.

I wonder if, when the Burnside/Couch couplet project goes forward and the sidewalks are widened, if any of these buildings will be allowed to reclaim their original right-of-way and reconstruct their original, now-destroyed, facades.

- Bob R.

[Eric Hagstette]

If you are interested in leasing space at Pine Street Studios call Eric Hagstette for info on availability, pricing and the overall experience we are creating.
503-313-6476