Portland's Pearl District and South Waterfront Areas

[EnricoV]

They're two very different "developments." The Pearl has some of everything. The South Waterfront is mostly just housing, with a few restaurants. But not much more.

[Minervah]

I never thought of these as the same type of areas. The Pearl had old warehouses most of which were abandoned by the companies that once were housed in them and were occupied by homeless people. Some were actually inhabited by artists who turned some of the space into lofts. The buildings were old and crumbling.

There were some businesses there. I think there were some restaurants around. I remember going to an art supply store with an artist friend of mine. It was an interesting area but nothing like it is today.

The waterfront district as I recall, was pretty much barren land. The area where the marina is and the restaurant on the water (the name escapes me right now) were there with some shops but that's all I can remember being there before the condos started going up.

If anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct my aging memory. I think I will look up the history of the areas to see what I can find.

[sahhen1]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Perhaps you were not aware that the Pearl District and South Waterfront were both part of the same urban renewal plan, but the EPA forced cleanup up the South Waterfront area (which is still ongoing,) before any buildings could be constructed there?

apparently, she isn't

[hamellr]

[quote=Minervah;21388279
The waterfront district as I recall, was pretty much barren land. The area where the marina is and the restaurant on the water (the name escapes me right now) were there with some shops but that's all I can remember being there before the condos started going up.

If anyone remembers differently, feel free to correct my aging memory. I think I will look up the history of the areas to see what I can find.[/QUOTE]

That's about what I remember. The tug boat that my great uncle was stationed on during WWII was built at the shipyard that was there. But most of that was removed after the war and the land left for storage.

One of the local papers had an article recently about the ongoing cleanup right at the ship yard and how they were essentially creating new technology and processes to do so cost-effectively. It also stated that the cleanup is getting close to being finished, so we may see some new developments there in the next few years. Economy allowing of course.

[Mclaurin]

If you like the Pearl and like checking out neighborhoods, for fun you should look at Vancouver BC's Yaletown. It makes the Pearl seem dismal in my opinion.

[turquoise1]

I liked Yaletown. I still don't think the Pearl is dismal; it is just quiet.

[Hans64]

Originally Posted by Mclaurin

If you like the Pearl and like checking out neighborhoods, for fun you should look at Vancouver BC's Yaletown. It makes the Pearl seem dismal in my opinion.

Interesting comment. I was not impressed by Yaletown at all. In fact much of Vancouver seemed kind of emptied out to me--high gloss in appearance but not very lively. I just remember a lot of new buildings and wind-swept plazas...