A part of what makes Portland such a exceptional metropolis is that it is stuffed with hidden gems. From the quirkiest coffee shop with a totally offbeat atmosphere to the Arlene Schnitzer Live performance Corridor with the long-lasting “Portland” signal out entrance, there’s at all times one thing to find. But when you end up within the northwestern district (or crossing over the Fremont Bridge), chances are you’ll occur to see an enormous constructing with the title Montgomery Park on high of it. As a former Portland native, I at all times questioned what was inside, and after I first visited, I used to be shocked.
Though Montgomery Park is not essentially a stylish procuring and eating spot (but), it is one of the vital distinctive and memorable workplace buildings and occasion areas within the metropolis. However the structure is what actually shines, particularly with the nine-story glass atrium within the heart of all of it. Even simply strolling by way of the area, I used to be in awe of its grandeur, making it a worthy addition to any Portland itinerary. To assist improve the inside, art work adorns lots of the partitions, including pops of shade and texture.
On the time of this writing, Montgomery Park is generally an workplace constructing, with a handful of retail choices. It is also an occasion area, which I found by working a couple of occasions there whereas I lived in Portland. However the present homeowners of the constructing, Menashe Properties, plan to rework it right into a mixed-use area.
The story of Montgomery Park
There was a time when Montgomery Ward was a division chain on par with Sears and Walmart. The truth is, the corporate had pioneered the mail-order shopping business in Chicago in 1872. On January 1st, 1921, Montgomery Ward opened its Portland department. The constructing was enormous, with 9 tales of places of work and warehouses, and even had three railway traces main into the basement to deal with supply shipments. When it opened, it was the most important constructing in Portland.
The long-lasting neon signal was added in 1925, whereas a showroom and retail area was added in 1936, remodeling its facade from an L-shape to a U-shape. Montgomery Ward operated within the constructing till 1982, when it was bought by H. Naito Properties (the namesake of Naito Parkway). Invoice Naito was a famously frugal businessman, and he determined to vary the signal to Montgomery Park, which meant solely having to pay to switch two letters. It was additionally Naito who added the glass atrium to the middle of the U and put the constructing on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
Whereas strolling by way of the middle of the constructing is mesmerizing, particularly when daylight beams by way of the ceiling, you could take the glass elevator to one of many higher flooring. Not solely do you get a greater view of the atrium and the remainder of the constructing, you may as well proceed to view extra artwork items. The sprawling atrium is crammed with many artworks and statues.
Including Montgomery Park to your Portland trip
Its location in Northwest Portland implies that Montgomery Park is nearly half-hour from the Portland Worldwide Airport. A part of the enchantment of this place is that it is subsequent to 2 glorious downtown neighborhoods. First, there’s the Pearl District, a former warehouse district full of parks, galleries, and eateries. Subsequent, there’s the previous gritty wasteland-turned trendy neighborhood of Slabtown. There are a number of accommodations and trip leases within the space, so you possibly can simply discover every of those areas throughout your go to.
Whereas strolling by way of Montgomery Park is a deal with, the primary attraction is the Adidas Employee Store. Happily, you do not have to be an worker to buy there. In accordance with this thread on r/PortlandOR, anybody can join an AdiClub membership, reserve an appointment to buy, and save as much as 50% off all gadgets. The truth is, after I labored a personal occasion at Montgomery Park, the shop remained open throughout common enterprise hours.
In case you’re visiting the constructing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., you possibly can seize a chew at a neighborhood meals truck. Suburban Events hosts a distinct truck every single day (Monday by way of Friday) on the northwestern nook of the constructing. This can be a nice approach to assist native companies and get a style of Portland’s delicacies. Alternatively, there are many nice eating places within the space, similar to Urban Steel Kitchen and Bar, an elegant bar and restaurant sourcing native elements for each meals and cocktails.
