Oslo-based Snøhetta has revealed renderings for the community-funded James Beard Market—Portland, Oregon’s first permanent market building in more than 70 years.
The year-round food market is the first to open in Portland since the Portland Public Market closed down in 1942 and takes its name from the iconic chef and food writer and former Portland resident.
The nonprofit market will be located on the Willamette River at the western end of Morrison Bridge, which divides the site into two parts, blocking pedestrian traffic from three sides. To remedy the blockage, Snøhetta plans to introduce a new pedestrian thoroughfare and realign the bridge’s access ramps to ensure access from all points.
The building itself will flank the city center’s bridge with a high wing-shaped form and feature a timber-lined rooftop terrace and hydroponic garden supported by a network of exposed steel columns and trusses. The interior will include more than 60 permanent stalls, 30 flexible stands, F&B outlets, a teaching kitchen, and events space.
For the site’s next development phase, the firm will work in collaboration with locally based SERA Architects, Mayer/Reed, Studio Jeffreys, and Interface Engineering.
Construction is slated to begin later this year with a projected opening date in 2018.
