Hello Friday.
April 04 2025
You may have noticed a new addition rising into the Portland skyline. Block 216, located between SW Alder and Washington streets and SW 10th and 9th avenues, is especially eye-catching when you’re driving across the Morrison Bridge.
For those still wondering what exactly this tower will be, we reached out to developers BPM Real Estate Group for the project’s latest updates and some high level — we’re talking 460 ft tall — things to know.
🏙️ When construction is completed in spring 2023, Block 216 will be tied with Park Avenue West as the fourth tallest building in the city.
🏗️ The 1 million-sqft mixed-use tower is the largest private sector project in downtown Portland since the completion of the US Bancorp Tower — also known as “Big Pink” — in 1983.
⭐ The building will host the first Ritz Carlton in the PNW — also the city's first five-star hotel. It will feature 251 rooms, a 19th floor indoor pool, 7,000-sqft luxury day spa, and a state-of-the-art 7,500-sqft fitness room.
🍽️ An 8,300-sqft food hall (with space for nine vendors) will be built on the ground floor, as part of a $3 million complete rebuild of SW 9th Avenue. The “festival street” will focus on food, bike + pedestrian access, and represents the first link in The Green Loop, a six-mile linear park that will encircle the urban core of Portland.
💰 Block 216 is expected to create 2,000+ living wage jobs. At stabilization, the project will increase the property’s current level of income and city/county tax revenue from $160,000 per year to over $10 million annually, funding vital city and county services. The developer is also paying $25 million in permitting + systems development fees, plus a record-breaking $8.1 million single payment to the Portland Housing Bureau in affordable housing fees.
Show off your knowledge of the Portland skyline’s newcomer with the buttons below.
Today
- Bubba Ho-Tep | Thurs., March 24 | 10 p.m. | Clinton Street Theater | $6 | In this B movie, Elvis and JFK never died and are now roommates in a nursing home besieged by soul-sucking mummies.
Friday
- Empanadas Festival | Fri., March 25-Sun., March 27 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Portland Mercado, 7238 SE Foster Rd. | Prices vary | Take a tour of Latin America’s vibrant flavors all in one location. 🥟
- Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets | Fri., March 25 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center | $9+ | Operation failure to launch is a go in Portland. 🚀
Saturday
- Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets | Sat., March 26 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center | $6+ | It’s not déjà vu, we’re actually playing the same team in the same place two nights in a row. 🏀
- Wine Tasting at Torii Mor Winery and Vineyard | Sat., March 26 | 12-5 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave. | $100+ | Members and the public are invited to spend the day celebrating “50 Years of Grape Growing” with the garden’s long-standing partner. 🍷
- Lunch & Soul with Tyrone Hendrix | Sat., March 26 | 12-2 p.m. | Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St. | Free | Enjoy a bite to eat on the patio while listening to some rhythmic tunes.
Sunday
- Timbers vs. Orlando City SC | Sun., March 27 | 1 p.m. | Providence Park | $29+ | They may have sunshine, but we have the Timbers Army’s songs. ⛅
- Holi Hai | Sun., March 27 | 3-7 p.m. | OPALINE, 105 NW 3rd Ave. | $33+ | Come to this celebration of the Indian festival of colors dressed in white to welcome spring and dance with DJ Prashant. 🌈
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 65º | Cloudy skies early followed by partial clearing | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
- Rise: 7:05 a.m.
- Set: 7:28 p.m.
Kids
- Pamplin Media Group’s Amazing Kids project is seeking academic virtuosos, sports superstars, innovative entrepreneurs, and dedicated volunteers for its 2022 class. A photo + professionally written story about each winner will appear in a special section. Nominations are open thru Sat., April 2. (Pamplin Media Group)
Drink
- Cheers to weird. Gigantic Brewing and Weird Portland United are teaming up to brew the “Gigantic Weirdtastic” beer series, celebrating the city’s most unique people, places, and things. First is the Unipiper Hazy IPA, which you can enjoy with the one-wheeled wonder himself on April 1 at Gigantic’s taproom. 🍺
Cause
- Portland’s Habitat for Humanity chapter just received its largest-ever charitable donation, which the agency says will help improve access to home ownership for people of color. Author + philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted the nonprofit $8.5 million. Her overall contribution to the organization totals $436 million. 🛠️ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
- The Bybee Lakes Hope Center has expanded to offer transitional housing for over 300 unhoused people, by doubling its bed capacity and adding a dorm for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, a professional kitchen, and vocational training. Renovations were completed with $1.2 million donated by United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. (KOIN)
- Von Ebert Brewing has crafted a beer called “Rasta Monsta Tropical Pils” in partnership with Trail Blazers legend Brian Grant. It will be released at next week’s game (Wed., March 30), and proceeds will benefit the former players’ nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those living with Parkinson’s disease. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Eat
- At Beastro, NFL running back Marshawn Lynch’s recently opened restaurant in Hotel Vance, diners can expect plenty of personality. Its “Taste the Rainbow” macarons are filled with a mixed berry compote and served with Skittles, while the breakfast sandwich is seasoned with spicy Korean honey mayo, or “Ding Ding sauce.” 🍳 (Eater Portland)
Community
- Low-income Portland renters at risk of eviction can now receive free legal help through a partnership between the Portland Housing Bureau, Oregon Law Center, and Portland Community College. Those in need can call (888) 585-9638 or email evictiondefense@oregonlawcenter.org.
Edu
- Starting in August, private, alternative college Wayfinding College in St. Johns will begin a yearlong “organizational rest” to plan its next steps and revamp its mission. The school, which has offered classes out of a house in North Portland for seven years, is known for an emphasis on social justice + community activism. (OPB)
Arts
- “These transitions happen, which actually creates spaces for new voices and new ideas. That’s a good thing,” said J.S. May, executive director of Artists Repertory Theatre. Recent shakeups in the leadership of several of Portland’s leading arts organizations suggest a turning point toward increased cultural arts diversity in the city. (Portland Monthly)
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The votes are in. After a few close battles and a couple of landslide victories, Happy Cup Coffee Company has been named the best coffee shop in Portland by our readers. Huge congratulations + a Corazon (mocha with housemade vegan horchata) are in order.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our barista battle royale, and make sure to keep an eye out for future interactive experiences. Cheers. ☕
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Editor’s pick: In a recent Instagram post, I asked our followers to share their favorite Portland artists — anyone from sculptors and painters to jewelry makers and graphic designers. So, I want to pose the same question to our readers. Let us know the creatives we should have on our radar here.
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