FFA's Cronin Block

Last week when I posted an entry about The Casey condominiums, one reader mentioned there's been a profusion of entries about condos. And it’s true – so far the site has featured many of them. Architects are encouraged to send me images of and info about projects in other program types. But condos in inner Portland are clearly the building type of their time, and they keep on coming.

So here’s the latest one: the Cronin Block, designed by local firm Fletcher Farr Ayotte and developed by Robert Ball, and to be situated at Northwest 13th and Marshall in the Pearl District, across from the historic Bridgeport brewery.

In the past I’ve criticized how so many Pearl District buildings have gone with an industrial palette reflecting the neighborhood’s past/present context and shied away from more contemporary design. But while the Cronin Block certainly does that, somehow it seems more successful – at least based on the renderings.

Architect Robert Hoffman of FFA told me that the project re-uses brick from the old warehouse that stood at that corner, about the same size & scale. In fact, they wanted to preserve the original building, but it wasn’t structurally sound enough.

Much of the design is focused on creating a pleasant experience streetscape by tying in with the Bridgeport brewery. The designers have even re-established the ivy-covered truss that used to connect the brewery and warehouse. One sees ground-level retail surrounding most of the building, from which the taller tower steps back to break up the mass. Indeed, by stepping back from the street this block-sized project doesn’t feel as mammoth as it could have. This seems like a nicely scaled project that feels not like one building, but several intertwining forms.

Although the brick façade is a nod to the existing context, the Cronin also has metal windows and glass forms jutting out at the penthouse and along one side – somewhat like Akrom Moisan’s Pinnacle condos to the east. The idea here, Hoffman told me, is that the glass portion is meant to resemble a waterfall of transparency and motion.

It’s not a backhanded compliment to say this is really a fabric building, one that fits into its context with deference. I certainly wouldn’t want all buildings to be like this. The Pearl really needs more contemporary buildings that don’t adhere to conservative context quite so much. But a city needs solid, dignified structures like these, too, that don’t call attention to themselves but fit well into the urban fabric.

Comments

[Joe Jenkins]

Is that a sky-bridge I see in the renderings? If so, what is it connecting to, and into what area of the Cronin Block?

[MarkDaMan]

^Actually Joe, that is the 're-established ivy-covered truss that used to connect the brewery and warehouse.'

I like this tower. I thought I was tired of the brick same old, same old in the Pearl, but this is done very classy. I'll be interested to see it at completion. It sure has taken it awhile to get from massive hole to rising construction.

[pdxstreetcar]

I really like this building a lot too.

[mb]

I'm with Brian on this one. It's just o.k. Unfortunately, I'm sure that the developers wanted to remain on the safe side of style and program when undertaking such huge project. I think they missed the boat though on both counts. This is such a great block to work with considering the surrounding construction and neighborhood. I'm leary of how this thing will look once construction is complete. Renderings have a nice way of making brick look dainty when in fact it's quite the contrary in reality.

[bob]

Don't worry! I read from the Portland design review weekly pdf that there is another new building to sprout up a few blocks to the west that will literally look (and be) a giant, tall, concrete-slab above ground parking garage.

[MarkDaMan]

Bob, are you talking about the Safeway site? The initial renderings were quite a let down compared to the nice new Safeway in the West End.

[bob]

Hmm, not sure. Could be, it was quite awhile ago that I ran across that bit.

[John Luttrell]

Actually, the "ivy" is hops. Fitting, huh? They grow up the side of the Bridgeport Building and across the trellis over the "alley" to The Cronin Building. I work for The Cronin Company and the old building was used as a floor covering warehouse for our inventory. We have since moved to Swan Island and occupy a 225,000 square foot facility. Lots of history in that old building. Hopefully, the old solid 2x2 and 3x3 timbers were salvaged too. That old growth timber should be incorporated back into the project along with the brick.