The Eastbank Esplanade

We consider ourselves very lucky to bike along the Eastbank Esplanade daily. Guess it all started with Mayor Tom McCall many many many years ago when he refused to let I-5 be constructed along the river on the west side instead building Waterfront Park. Decades later Mayor Vera Katz fought hard to get an east side version constructed. I can't even begin to explain the energy there is biking along the esplanade, with all the bicyclist, joggers/walkers, buzz from the freeway, the smell of the river and then there's the beauty of the esplanade itself with its large art pieces. The Eastbank Esplanade is a true testament to how great Portland really is.

Neighborhood Watch: Downtown Between SW Salmon and Taylor

Continuing on our neighborhood watch blog series, we take you to a square block in downtown Portland that has, in our humble opinion, some of the loveliest buildings in all of downtown Portland. The city block is between SW Salmon, Taylor, Park and 10th Avenue.

This block is home to our favorite building in all of Portland - the Studio Building. Just stunning. The brick, the gorgeous patina copper Mansard roof, the lead windows, and of course, the stone busts of famous composers wrapped around the whole building. I first noticed this building from the 11th floor of the Bank of California building many years ago, especially the domed skylights and the amazing roof windows. Originally built in 1926 to house rehearsal studios with performances occurring at the Guild Theater next door. I would gladly call this building home. Can you imagine living in such a beautiful building and the amazing views it must have.

I noticed this following gem of a building one night and was surprised it hasn't been torn down to make way for some new shiny glass tower similar to the ones that surround it. The buiding is located directly across the street from award-winning Director's Park. I'm so glad the city has kept this beautiful old brick building from the wrecking ball for low income housing because it really is a lovely building.

Rumor has it when the Indian mystic/guru the Bhagwan Rashneesh and his disciples owned the building which South Park Restaurant currently occupies, they had massive parties here. We imagine they parked all their Rolls Royces in the parking garage above. It's a gorgeous building and we particularly like the copper salmon bursting out of the brick facade.

The building across the street is the Roosevelt Apartment Building, which looks like a great building to live in. Right across from the beginning of the SW Park Blocks, it's such a great neighborhood, I hope it never changes.

Neighborhood Watch: Produce Row

One of the things I think make Portland so unique is the City's neighborhoods. Many are unique in location, vibe, and in particular, look. We love being tourists in our town, any reason to stroll around a particular neighborhood is an invitation we'll always accept. We love warehouse districts. If only these buildings could talk, and the Produce Row neighborhood buildings are gems. A bit rough, dirty and disheveled, with a homeless community to match, this area is one of our favorite neighborhoods in the whole city. There's so many great buildings and hidden treasures in just a few blocks. Maybe it's the lead windows, the awning covered loading areas, all the beautifully aged brick or maybe we just like boxy warehouse buildings. All we can say is riding your bike through this part of town is a real treat.