Located
on the north edge of downtown, the Pearl District is now the liveliest area
in Portland. Walk to work, eat out frequently, take walks along the
river, and jump on a streetcar that loops the downtown areas of the city.
Up until a few years ago, the Pearl District was just another
grimy, downtown neighborhood that was showing its years. Today it is transitioning
from an industrial warehousing area to one of the most desirable locations
in the city. Renovations and adaptive use of historical and other
structures have led to loft housing, row houses, condos, new restaurants,
art and ceramic galleries, and a burst of new retail activity. A flurry
of important new urban creative-commerce entrepreneurs, ranging from small
internet firms to world-class advertising and multi-media companies, are
staking out territory here.
All that's missing is a neighborhood elementary school
and its coming. Six classrooms will open for the 2011 school year
for K-2 students. Complete with a playground, the school will be housed
in the six-story, 1380-unt apartment building being planned by developer
Ed McNamara. The building will be bounded by NW 13th and 14th avenues
between Quimby and Raleigh streets.
The Project
for Public Spaces had this to say about the Pearl: "The Pearl
is connected seamlessly to the upscale residential area known as Northwest
Portland (NW 23rd and NW 21st), and also with the vibrant downtown area
primarily because of the Portland Streetcar but also due to the pedestrian-friendly
nature of the streets and neighborhood. There is no real center for the
area; however, since the streetcar opened in 2001, it has centered on the
area around NW 10th and 11th Avenues. The place is so accessible that many
people have gotten rid of their cars or use them very rarely. The sidewalks
are very inviting with storefronts lining them. The streets are narrow and
include Portland's famous 200 foot grid block system."
History of the Pearl
It
wasn't very long ago that the old Burlington Northern rail yard in Northwest
Portland was an area of abandoned warehouses, empty offices and an unused
railroad track. Much has changed in the decade since. Today, this same area
is now home to condos, apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, and offices.
To view the contrast between a few intervening years and
in the same physical area, here are two photographs. You can see the "before"
and "after" effect.
You will want to view the video by Hoyt Street Properties,
the primary developer of the north end of the Pearl. Just click
here to view the video.
Pearl Home Styles
The Pearl is solid condos and apartment buildings along
with a handful of townhomes. You will see the term "loft" in the Pearl
which legally means a condo. In the early to mid 90s, a number of
warehouses were converted into lofts (large open spaces). Lofts became
so popular in the Pearl that new loft-buildings were built when all the
desirable warehouses had been converted to living units. Many traditional
condos with multiple rooms were built in the 90s and 2000s. The Pearl does
not have any detached single-family homes.
1Pearl District Home Prices
Number of homes sold in the Pearl in 2009: 159.
Distressed properties sales were 11%.
Percent of Pearl homes sold in 2009 that were
condos: 98%.
Median price for homes sold in the Pearl:
$389,000 in 2009; $529,950 in 2008; $440,000 in 2007.
1-year median sales price change in 2009 from 2008
in the Pearl: -4%.
5-year median sales price change in the Pearl:
14%.
2009 metro area median home price: $247,000
(-11.2 sales price change from 2008).
2008 metro area median home price: $278,000 (-4% sales
price change from 2007).
Please be aware that the above figures are subject to
error and are intended as guidelines only. To view Pearl District homes
currently for sale click
here.
Parks, Community Centers, and Health Clubs in
the Pearl
Three existing neighborhood parks make living in the
Pearl appealing. Two additional parks are planned for construction
in the Pearl District. One is The Fields (see
description below) and another is a potential park along the Willamette
River.
The Fields The Fields is planned for what is now an open field
bordered by Northwest 11th Avenue, Overton Street and Naito Parkway.
The Fields is the third of four parks in the Pearl District and will
be connected by a footbridge to the Centennial Mills redevelopment along
the Willamette River. The park will be about 150,000 square feet.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2011.
Jamison Square is a .94 acre park in which the focal point of the
park is a fountain which simulates a shallow tidal pool. Water cascades
from stone joints into low pools as the fountain continuously re-circulates
treated water. It is a welcome relief on hot summer days and evenings.
It was completed in 2002.
Tanner Springs Park makes a connection to the past when Tanner Creek
used to flowed openly through the Pearl; today it flows through large
pipes beneath the city streets. The design of the park recapture
the area's past with its native wetlands and flowing runnels.
It is a place to sit and reflect. It was completed in 2005.
North Park Blocks is six blocks (2.43 acres) long with mature Big
Leaf Maples and Black Locusts along with a few American Elms.
These blocks were some of the original park properties in the city which
were dedicated in 1869. Drive down NW Park Avenue or NW 8th Avenue and
it's hard to keep one's eyes on the road instead of looking at the 80-100
foot trees.
The
Zimmerman Community
Center (ZCC) is an urban nonprofit organization committed to strengthening
the spiritual and civic life and identity of Portland's River District.
Founded by a bequest from local schoolteacher Isobel Faith Zimmerman, the
ZCC seeks to build community bonds that bring together people who live and
work in in the Pearl and Old Town/Chinatown neighborhoods.
Two private health clubs are located in the
Pearl:
24-Hour Fitness The Pearl club is located at 1210 NW Johnson
Street.
LA Fitness The club is located at 1414 NW Northrup Street.
There are also a number of boutique clubs that specialize
in just one workout such as Pilates and Yoga.
Brewery Blocks and Lovejoy Blocks
In
2000, another large-scale redevelopment project in the Pearl District began
on the site of a former five-block brewery, called the
Brewery Blocks.
Gerding/Edlen Development Company bought the historic brew houses, which
were converted into approximately 1.7 million square feet of retail and
office space, and new residential buildings. Both the historic and
new buildings are incorporating environmentally friendly techniques that
will provide long-term savings as well as conserve energy. For instance,
during the construction phase of the Brewery Blocks, a recycling program
diverted 96 percent of construction waste from going to landfills.
The Lovejoy Blocks, bounded by Northwest Lovejoy and Marshall
streets and Northwest 12th and 14th avenues, includes a nine-story grocery
and office building and a 16-story retail and apartment building. In Block
One, a Safeway store occupies the full block at ground level, and a partial
second level houses back-of-store operations. Three levels of parking and
three levels of office space top the store. Block Two includes retail space
at the ground floor, parking on the ground through third floors and residential
apartments on the fourth through 16th floors.
Pearl District Neighborhood Awards
Sierra Club In 2005,
the
Sierra Club named the Pearl District as one of America's best new development.
The Sierra Club considered a wide range of projects, from cities large and
small, to suburbs, to small towns in each corner of the nation. Here is
a quote from the report: "In urban planning circles, Portland has emerged
as a model city, at the forefront of creating a vibrant, quality urban environment,
and the Pearl District only bolsters its reputation."
Money
Magazine The October 2007
issue of
Money Magazine named the Pearl District one of the best places to retire.
Here is an excerpt from the article, "When Joyce Edwards visited friends
in Portland a couple of years ago, she wasn't in the market for a new hometown.
But she immediately realized that this Northwest city was the place for
her." There aren't many places, she says, "That appeal to her interests
in both culture and the great outdoors."
The Pearl and Pets
Hannah
is a yellow Lab, a citizen of the city. She rides the elevator with
her owner. She goes between her 4th floor condo in the Pearl and the street-level
merchants who greet her sweet demeanor with fellowship and a biscuit.
Hannah is an emerging generation of condo dogs who, in order to live indoors,
must be tested and certified as good citizens in terms of qualities.
This good-citizen mandate stands in bylaws for condominiums built by Hoyt
Street Properties, a Pearl developer and the nation's first condo builder
to require the pledge. To view Pearl properties that allow pets visit
Portland and Pets.
Pearl District
The Pearl District Neighborhood Association Web site.
Shopping Guide It covers over 175 different restaurants, shops,
etc. The site will guide you to the places with a map.
Walking in the Pearl
The Pearl is pedestrian heaven! It's laid out on
an easy grid of numbered streets running north to south and named streets
are in alphabetical order and run east to west. The Portland
Streetcar connects an area south of downtown called South Waterfront and
the Nob Hill business district. You can ride free on the streetcar
line in the area between downtown and Irving Street in the Pearl. Portland
is the most bicycle friendly town in America and bike racks, bike lanes,
and bike safety are in abundance in the Pearl.
Here are some walking tours in
the downtown area of Portland:
Public Art Walking Tour The Regional
Arts & Culture Council (RACC) along with the Portland Oregon Visitors
Association have a Public Art Walking Tour map/brochure – a colorful
guide to nearly 100 public art pieces in downtown Portland and the near
eastside. This free brochure is available at Portland-area visitor centers,
or by calling RACC at (503) 823-5111. You can also download a copy by
clicking here.
Walking Tour to Pittock Mansion This
2.8-mile walk begins in Northwest Portland and climbs some of the city's
longest staircases through Westover Heights. It ends at the Pittock
Mansion, a restored French Renaissance Revival chateau. The home,
its grounds, and fabulous views are open to the public. Click
here to download the guide.
Walking Tour Nob Hill and the Pearl District
This 3.3-mile walk begins at PGE Park it takes you through historic
neighborhoods to shops, galleries, restaurants, and theaters in the
Pearl District and Nob Hill. Click
here
to download the guide.
South Parks Tree Walk Portland State
University students surveyed the South Park Blocks trees in 2004 and
this data was used to appraise the value of the trees according to the
Council of Landscape & Tree Appraisers Guide. They determined
the trees in the park were worth more that $3.4 million. Click
here to download the guide.
The NW23rd/Pearl District Gallery & Walking Map
The combined Northwest District (aka Alphabet District, Nob Hill, or
NW23rd) and Pearl Gallery map provides key information for Portland
First Thursday gallery walkers. Galleries, public art, restaurants,
coffeehouses, pubs & bakeries are clearly labeled on the map and in
the index. Parking, mass transit, and key landmarks are shown. If your
time is limited, you can see at a glance what blocks have the greatest
density of galleries, bakeries, or restaurants. Click
here to download the map.
The Pearl Gallery Map The map provides
key information for Portland First Thursday gallery walkers. Galleries,
public art, restaurants, coffeehouses, pubs & bakeries are clearly labeled
on the map and in the index. Parking, mass transit, and key landmarks
are shown. If your time is limited, you can see at a glance what blocks
have the greatest density of galleries, or restaurants. Click
here to download the map.
It's easy to get by without a car in the Pearl.
Walk Score ranks
2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities to help you find a walkable
place to live. Walk Score ranked the Pearl District/Old
Town-Chinatown/Downtown number ten. The Pearl obtained a score
of 99 (Walkers' Paradise). 45% of Portland residents have a Walk Score
of 70 or above. 83% have a Walk Score of at least 50. Below is the
Walk Score for an address in the center of the Pearl.
First Thursday in The Pearl
On First Thursday, art galleries are open
for extended hours on the first Thursday, each month. Usually, the
hours are from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Most galleries offer free wine and visitors
mingle with the artists. First Thursday gallery opening receptions are free
and open to the public. Below is a video explaining the history of
First Thursday along with a visit to the Lawrence Gallery.
The name "Pearl" reportedly came from Thomas Augustine,
owner of the Augustine Gallery, who spoke of the precious gems hidden in
the neighborhoods crusty old warehouses. Earlier the area was referred to
as The Northwest Triangle.
More About the Pearl District
Location
North downtown neighborhood which means you are north of Burnside.
Pearl streets are all labeled "NW . . ." Cross over
the I-405 freeway and you're in the Nob Hill neighborhood.
Pearl WiFi Hotspots To locate
WiFi hotspots in the Pearl click
here.
2Drive
Time to Downtown Four minutes.
Topography
Flat and trees lining some streets. The Pearl is a urban/city
grid layout.
Sidewalks
and Streets Streets are crowded with parked cars. Wide
sidewalks for walking with friends and family.
2005
Livability Study 87.5% of Pearl District residents rated their
neighborhood "good" or "very good." See
Livability Study.
Public
Transportation Walking to the heart of downtown takes minutes.
The Portland
streetcar line connects the Pearl with the Northwest District, downtown,
RiverPlace, and the South Waterfront. The
MAX Light
Rail line runs just a few blocks east of the Pearl in the Old Town/Chinatown
neighborhood.
TriMet also has bus routes in the Pearl.
3Demographics
Population: 1,113. Area size: 300 acres. Average population
density 14 persons per acre (includes vacant spaces). Number of
households: 746. Percent of home owners: 30. Percent of
renters: 70. Diversity: 17.1% non-Caucasian.
4Crime
Stats for 2009 52 violent crimes. Total crimes per 1,000
people was 143. For the latest crime statistics for the Pearl
neighborhood, click
here.
Sex
Offenders Click
here for
the State of Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System. After agreeing
to the "Conditions of Use Statement" you will be redirected to a "Enter
Search Criteria" page. Insert a zip code in the "Zip" field and
click on the "Query" button. Pearl District zip code: 97209.
5Shopping
and Services Number of supermarkets: 2. Number of health
clubs: 5. Number of coffee shops: 10. Two markets,
Whole Foods
on the south side of the neighborhood and
Safeway on the
north side make for convenient food shopping in the Pearl. The
Pearl Bakery and Holden's (deli) are also good bets for quality food
items. If you want a piece of art, galleries are numerous as well
as many home boutiques. You can find just about everything you need
in the Pearl to outfit your new condo.
Powell's City of Books, the largest independent book store in the
USA, features a city block's worth (68,000 square feet) of new and used
books.
Farmers
Market Ecotrust parking lot, Northwest 10th Avenue between
Irving and Johnson streets. 3:30-7:30 pm Thursdays, June
− September. See
portlandfarmersmarket.org.
Eating
Out Every type of ethnic food is now available in the
Pearl to include Pacific Northwest cuisine. The Pearl has numerous
coffee shops and a couple of places serve a hearty breakfast and
a "workingman" lunch. Top choices for Pearl restaurants include Andina,
Bluehour, Caffe Allora, Daily Cafe, Fenouil, Le Bouchon, Olea, Park
Kitchen, and Sungari Pearl. The
Urban Spoon lists Pearl restaurants with short reviews from local
publications.
Public
Library Hop on the streetcar and head on over to the to the
Multnomah County
Central Library in downtown Portland or to the Northwest District
branch located at 2300 NW Thurman Street.
What
They Drive in the Pearl District You see lots of Hondas and
Toyotas - also a few BMWs and Audis. Limited number of SUVs.
Car ownership is limited due to parking. If a Pearl District resident
needs a car, they can rent one or use
Zipcar.
7School
Report Card Grades Elementary school: O. Middle school:
O. High school: O. Click
here for report card details.
_____________________________________
1Real Estate Values
Data on real estate values provided by RMLStm.
Distressed properties include short sales and bank-owned properties for
the period July 2009 through December 2009.
2Drive Time to Downtown
Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps.
Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood
to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.
3Demographics Data Numbers were obtained
from Census 2000 and
www.portlandmaps.com.
4Crime Statistics
Numbers on crime represent total crimes for 2009 and were obtained from
Portland Police Bureau. Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape,
robbery, and aggravated assault. Crimes per 1,000 are based on reported
incidents of murder, rape, larceny, aggravated assault, arson, burglary,
robbery, and motor vehicle theft.
5Shopping and Services Numbers
were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library
systems.
6Biking Quality Rating
based on the 2007 Cycle Zone Analysis conducted by the City of Portland
Office of Transportation. The six-tier ratings have been reduced to three
levels: High, Fair, and Low.
7School Report Card Grades
"O" = Outstanding; "S" = Satisfactory; "I" = In Need of Improvement.
NW Broadway
Avenue on the east, West Burnside Street on the south, the I-405 Freeway
on the west and the Willamette River on the north. The neighborhood
encompasses the North Park Blocks, the 13th Avenue Historic District, the
city's Main Post Office.
To learn more about the
Pearl neighborhood
visit Portland Maps.
It will provide you with a list of businesses, demographic data,
crime stats, parks, schools, aerial photos, maps,
elevation, etc.
All you need is a property address − use
"323 NW 12TH Avenue"
Learn More
About the
Pearl District Neighborhood
Walking Map of
Pearl District
A Shopping Guide/Map
to help you navigate
through the Pearl District.
Susan Marthens
Principal Real Estate Broker, CRS, GRI
(503) 497-2984
Fax (503) 220-1131
Located
on the north edge of downtown, the Pearl District is now the liveliest area
in Portland. Walk to work, eat out frequently, take walks along the
river, and jump on a streetcar that loops the downtown areas of the city.
t
wasn't very long ago that the old Burlington Northern rail yard in Northwest
Portland was an area of abandoned warehouses, empty offices and an unused
railroad track. Much has changed in the decade since. Today, this same area
is now home to condos, apartment buildings, restaurants, shops, and offices.
Parkway.
The Fields is the third of four parks in the Pearl District and will
be connected by a footbridge to the Centennial Mills redevelopment along
the Willamette River. The park will be about 150,000 square feet.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2011.
In
2000, another large-scale redevelopment project in the Pearl District began
on the site of a former five-block brewery, called the
Hannah
is a yellow Lab, a citizen of the city. She rides the elevator with
her owner. She goes between her 4th floor condo in the Pearl and the street-level
merchants who greet her sweet demeanor with fellowship and a biscuit.
Hannah is an emerging generation of condo dogs who, in order to live indoors,
must be tested and certified as good citizens in terms of qualities.
This good-citizen mandate stands in bylaws for condominiums built by Hoyt
Street Properties, a Pearl developer and the nation's first condo builder
to require the pledge. To view Pearl properties that allow pets visit
