The James Beard Public Market has released new architectural renderings of its exterior, including dramatic wood details on its northern facade inspired by the historic timber frame recently uncovered within.
As first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive earlier this month, demolition to the two adjacent buildings that will house the upcoming market and food hall revealed soaring ceilings and large wood beams within the three-story Ungar Building, 622 S.W. Alder St., which previously housed a Rite Aid drug store.
According to Jessica Elkan, executive director for the James Beard Public Market, the decision to uncover, preserve and incorporate that timber frame into the market design played a role in delaying the highly anticipated project’s opening until 2027.
“We had to make a decision,” Elkan said during a walkthrough of the now vacant market space in early January. “Were we going to pay extra to have someone hand peel and reveal all this? And I was like, ‘Yes, I think it’s a priority.’ Covering these back up wouldn’t truly show this building’s history.”
A new rendering shows the proposed design for the James Beard Public Market at Southwest Sixth Avenue and Alder Street.Courtesy of BCV Architecture + Interiors
In the new renderings, one of which was included in a design review documents filed with the City of Portland and first spotted Monday by real estate watcher Iain MacKenzie, the market’s northern entrance will now be framed with massive Douglas fir timber columns.
According to a market press release, that wood exterior will likely be treated using the Japanese wood preservation technique known as “shou sugi ban,” wherein the surface of the wood is “charred to make it resistant to water, fire, insects and decay.”
Meanwhile, a restoration to the the Selling Building at the corner of Southwest Sixth Avenue and Alder Street will “attempt to restore the original ground floor glass and columns, while also reintroducing the original terracotta cladding, trim and wood window detailing of the second story.”
The renderings are subject to final approval by the City of Portland.
Read more:
With opening delayed to 2027, James Beard Public Market carries weight of Portland’s civic hopes