What do you think of Portland's skyline? (appointed, home)

[doity]

I don't think Portland needs a giant skyline to stand out. Just some bigger buildings in between the 2 bigger bank towers would even it out. Which brings back a memory when the US Bancorp building was being built. I remember using the bus to go to work downtown and each time I crossed Burnside that tower just got taller an taller. I had no idea at that time that a building of that size was even being planned.

But anyway, I think a big part of the problem is that the buildings that are at the forefront of the skyline are mostly boring and stunted 1970's era boxes. I do like that new one with the dark glass that was finished last year and once the federal building is finished with the $200 million makeover, that should make things a bit more interesting. Especially the extra 40 feet for the solar panel on the roof!

[haggardhouseelf]

I think with the whole climate change issue (potential future flooding issues) and being in the Cascadia subduction earthquake zone... It's prolly a good idea to keep Portland just the way it is for now. It might not be a stellar skyline, but it's just-right for where it is.

[turquoise1]

Is it true that buildings are supposed to be short so as not to block west side views of Mt. Hood?

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by turquoise1

Is it true that buildings are supposed to be short so as not to block west side views of Mt. Hood?

Hardly, although I'm sure that was/is a minority of people's concerns at one point.

They're "short" due to economics and earth quake regulations. There is a solid layer of basalt under Portland that is near impossible to dig through in any economical way. Couple that with Portland's small blocks and buildings just can't be much taller physically.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Hardly, although I'm sure that was/is a minority of people's concerns at one point.

They're "short" due to economics and earth quake regulations. There is a solid layer of basalt under Portland that is near impossible to dig through in any economical way. Couple that with Portland's small blocks and buildings just can't be much taller physically.

The second part with the small blocks and the city wanting to let light get down to the street is the primary reason. The earthquake regulations is true to an extent, it isn't impossible to build taller here, it just isn't cost effective.

I remember the 12 West tower was going to be taller but no one wanted to fork up the money for the earthquake requirements that a building needed to go taller, so they cut it short. Basically what is being built at the SoWa is about as tall as we will build any time soon unless some developer steps up and is really into throwing too much money into a building.

By our FAR standards the tallest building that could be built in Portland which would be over 750ft would be in the Lloyd District because of their ratio and block size.

[turquoise1]

I see. Thanks!

[ramedud]

Portland's skyline is a case of quality over quantity. It looks awesome as it is. Putting huge buildings there is like a girl getting implants when she doesn't need them. They will look fake, artificial and superficial, as if Portland is trying to compensate for something.

M'eh.

[EnricoV]

This is my recollection of the way the limitation on building height all went down (yes I was alive and living in Portland then):

After the First National Bank Tower (now the Wells Fargo) was completed and opened (1972), the public weren't happy with the way that it blocked the views of Mt. Hood from the west or the way that it blocked the views of the West Hills from the east. A law/regulation was passed that no building would be taller than it.

Earthquakes may have been a concern for someone, but I don't recall it ever being mentioned publicly as being a factor. It was pure aesthetics.

[turquoise1]

EnricoV, maybe I heard something to that effect. Thanks for your insight.

[downtown lover]

Park Avenue tower could have sealed the skyline and give Portland a legitimate skyline. Oh, well.