250 Taylor was our opportunity to create a catalyst development rooted in Portland’s history yet ready for the future. To achieve that, we designed a speculative Creative Class-A office that integrates the traditional and modern materials, all supported by a core structure that can last for generations. Human-scale design and traditional building materials give our historic districts their signature charm and character. 250 Taylor is our contemporary interpretation of these beloved qualities, applied to a creative office. We studied the rhythm, scale, and proportion of surrounding historic structures, and referenced them in our design with recessed entries and façade setbacks. The result is a place that extends the energy of Portland’s Yamhill Historic District and bridges to the surrounding central city scale. To recall the material scale and texture of the district’s masonry buildings, the 10-story, post-tension concrete building is skinned in unitized terra cotta and glass curtainwall. Sited on a Portland half block (100’x200’), the building core is offset to the southern edge of the parcel creating large, open floor plates that will support a variety of uses over the building’s lifespan. The entry has been located at the mid-block pushing retail to the corners. Bike parking has been added along SW 3rd Avenue to support the ever-growing biking community. It's also an essential facility, which means it can withstand 50% higher seismic forces than a typical building, making it a safe place to shelter after an earthquake event. Future tenants of 250 Taylor will have access to one of the largest rooftop decks in Portland, with protected, sweeping views over the Yamhill Historic District, the Willamette River, and Mt. Hood for years to come.