PORTLAND, OR—Developer Mack Urban says it has begun construction work on a six-story, 270-unit apartment building on Block 37 in the South Waterfront District along the River Parkway. The project will offer a mix of market-rate one, two and three bedroom units and 250 parking spaces.

Located at the corner of SW Gaines Street and SW River Parkway, the project was designed to offer graceful and serene indoor/outdoor connections to the river front that embrace Portland's active lifestyle.

“The exterior design reflects the poise of the river with a simple and timeless use of brick, metal, stucco and glass to play off one another,” said Paul Keller, founding principal and CEO of Mack Urban. “It results in a sleek rhythmic finish to the exterior façade.”

“The exterior also emphasizes new pedestrian connections to the urban river walk,” said Katherine Schultz of GBD Architects. “The outdoor spaces provide areas for respite, relaxation and fun. Block 37 has a large central courtyard facing the riverfront, filled with seating nooks, a trellis that provides cover over several barbeque grills, and a fire pit surrounded by lush plantings. It has been designed so that quiet sounds of a seasonal water feature can be heard during the winter months. During the summer months residents can pick fresh vegetables from the courtyard vegetable garden. It's meant to meld with the river walk rather than creating a separation.”

This project's link to the outdoor environment continues in its interior design. A showpiece of the property will be a contemporary and grown-up second-floor “living room” connected directly to an outdoor deck overlooking the river. The interior décor is posh with a lounge expanse, TV area, board games, pool table and an upscale kitchen salon for dinner. The deck provides panoramic views of the Willamette River, wildlife and the newly installed river walk below.

In addition, there is an indoor/outdoor fitness center designed to resemble an exclusive athletic club with comfortable areas for reading, a coffee bar, news stand, and direct access to the outdoor courtyard with stairs leading to the river walk.

Storage for kayaks/paddleboards, bikes and other gear further promotes the indoor/outdoor connection, and isn't hidden behind walls or in a basement. Mack Urban has given gear storage a storefront presence so that a passerby can watch tenants washing surfboards, airing out tents, waxing skis, or tuning bikes.

Mack Urban is a premier West Coast real estate investment and development firm that owns, builds and manages environmentally sensitive, urban infill projects designed to preserve neighborhood character and strengthen communities.

Instant Insights /

Mack Urban Breaks Ground on Block 37

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