The Portland Building
The Portland Building
3.5
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Designed by architect, Michael Graves.
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3.5
17 reviews
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native210
SIERRA MADRE87 contributions
July 2014
It's hard to give this a rating. It's not exactly interactive, so it's a view. I am a big fan of Michael Graves, but this...just doesn't fit, so I see the controversy. The Portlandia sculpture is another story. It's gorgeous and really shouldn't be missed. It is also the second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty. The trees on the sidewalk do not help with the view from the sidewalk, so go straight past the Portland building to The Standard building across the street. You can see some indoor/outdoor escalators in the middle from the sidewalk. Head up to the second floor where you will find yourself in a sort of glassed-in observation area with a direct view of Portlandia above the trees. Perfect photo lineup. It does get pretty warm up there in the summer so you won't be able to stay long.
Written 30 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SCOTT W
VANCOUVER61 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
Internationaly known architect of the neo-classical style of the 90's built this building for this city building. It was on the cover of international architecture magazings as the hot thing from Michael Graves. It has the neo minimalist look with the classical symetry. If your not into
achitects you might know him for his designer house wares that are sold at Target stores and specificaly for his teapot which is a icon at the Smithsonian.
But the building itself: Today it's a building of controversy, While many still love the exterior, it seems that all the people who have to work inside it, Hate it. The windows are tiny, as is the lobby; it was a building designed from the outside in. Portland actually considered at one time to knowck the building down and start over again. Me? love it or hate it, it is a part of Portland"s architecture history so I say let it be. Plus where would the classical sculpture,"Potlandia" sit? The best view of the building is the East side of the building where if one can get into the building across the street you can get a great perspective of Portlandia from a proper perspective.
achitects you might know him for his designer house wares that are sold at Target stores and specificaly for his teapot which is a icon at the Smithsonian.
But the building itself: Today it's a building of controversy, While many still love the exterior, it seems that all the people who have to work inside it, Hate it. The windows are tiny, as is the lobby; it was a building designed from the outside in. Portland actually considered at one time to knowck the building down and start over again. Me? love it or hate it, it is a part of Portland"s architecture history so I say let it be. Plus where would the classical sculpture,"Potlandia" sit? The best view of the building is the East side of the building where if one can get into the building across the street you can get a great perspective of Portlandia from a proper perspective.
Written 19 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minimize940314
Los Angeles, CA3,547 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
A government office building in the middle of Portland. It looks interesting as there is a sculpture sitting in the mid section of the building. Very easy to spot if you are in the town.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIStross
Perkasie, PA32 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Wander in and the security guard can direct you up the stairs to the little but unique art museum and history of Portlandia! It's free and takes about 15 minutes to walk around! Enjoy just another neat thing to check out in Portland!
Written 21 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oldpo
Portland, OR223 contributions
I worked in this building for several years after it was built, and the architect (Michael Graves) apparently became quite famous for making a building look like a candy box. You either love it or hate it. The windows are very small for admitting light during our 6 months of gray skies, the lobby is really too small for the number of folks that use it, but the blue tile on the interior is bright and pleasant. It is a good example of a government building that in no way looks like a government building. The west face is topped with "Portlandia" which is either a wonderful updated Italinate metal sculpture or a brass lady shooting craps from the top of a ledge.
Written 11 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jishenker
Columbia, MO912 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Faky, plastic looking, a bit of an isor, quirky ... I am not sure what this building is being praised. So much more that is better to see in this great city. Move on folks
Written 22 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda D
Portland, ME2,509 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Finished our walking tour at the Portland Building in early May. It is under going repairs and much of the building and statue is covered.
Written 7 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne R
Harris Park, Australia169 contributions
Sept 2015
she beautiful to see and you can go up the stairs in the building across the road to get a better picture
we were her on the weekend and it was deserted the building itself is old
Portland itself needs a lot of work but theyre getting there and the walking tour we did was well worth it and an enjoyable way to see things we would normally have missed on our own
we were her on the weekend and it was deserted the building itself is old
Portland itself needs a lot of work but theyre getting there and the walking tour we did was well worth it and an enjoyable way to see things we would normally have missed on our own
Written 24 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan S
Orlando, FL281 contributions
There is history behind this building, however there is nothing to do in the building. It is impressive to look at and take a photo in front of and that's about it. With that being said you'll more than likely pass by it in Portland so you might as well grab your photo.
Written 9 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura P
Vancouver, WA605 contributions
Nov 2012
Great Portland architecture, historical information. Right on the LightRail or bus system. Entrance is free!!
Written 5 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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