pearl district news...
September 17,2008
United States Custom House Photo Tour
by shooter
One evening in August, the Federal Government opened the Custom House to the general public. A project to convert the building into a boutique hotel had recently collapsed, and the General Services Administration wanted to generate interest in the building again.
The Building is located at 220 NW Eighth Avenue on the North Park blocks. I have wanted to get inside this building ever since I moved to Portland. When the open house was announced, I put it on my calendar.
Briefly, I think the exterior is beautiful, as are the entry and main staircase. Interior details such as the wood trim, doors, etc are interesting, but on the whole the inside is a bit plain. This is partly due to the remodeling by the government—acoustic ceilings, ugly carpeting, and florescent light fixtures. This building has great potential, and I'm sure once the previously mentioned additions are removed, the interior space could be transformed into something beautiful.
The GSA has completed a retention/disposal study and will use the information to decide whether to maintain the building in the Federal inventory or "dispose" of it by providing it to another government entity or nonprofit. We will let you know when this is announced.
Related links:
General Services Administration Buildling Information
Portland Tribune — Building Pivotal to Area's Revival
General Services Administration website
pearl district
Board Meetings
6pm, 2nd Thursday of each month
Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson St.
Committee Meetings
Planning
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Transportation Sub-Committee
Livability
currently inactive
Last Tuesday of every month
6pm, Umpqua Bank
Neighborhood Map
Community Links
Neighbors West Northwest
City of Portland
Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Pearl District Business Association
NW Community Garden
