Mirabella means “beautiful view,” and that concept drives our design for this innovative, urban “vertical” retirement community. Our design reinforces Southwest Waterfront district guidelines of providing view corridors and links the building with greenway open space along the Willamette. Integrating the landscape is a central aspect of our design and a major contributor for the residents’ quality of life. Mirabella’s tall, slender tower optimizes views to the river and increases energy efficiency. When our design team started planning Mirabella, the site’s small footprint—one acre—made it clear that a vertical approach would be required. This high-density residential development and vertical model of living is ideal for seniors aging in place. Skilled nursing programs sit at the base of the tower, assisted living at the center, and independent living at the top. With vertical transportation as the primary way to move throughout the building, all the units and amenities are no more than 28 steps away. This contributes to Mirabella’s active, 24/7 community. On the first floor, residents and visitors can visit shops, a café, classrooms, and an outdoor courtyard, all of which are open to the public. These amenities create an active streetscape and connect residents with the overall neighborhood. Moreover, Mirabella references the park across the street: landscaped terraces go up the podium of the building as if the park is actually stretching up and over the building. Lush plantings in the plaza activates the ground-floor space and gives residents access to the outdoors. To protect views, we created a unique oval shape that softens the high-rise edges while maintaining its views. A grey masonry unifies the entire building, grounding it and giving it a human scale, with baby-blue window panels echoing the sky.

Mirabella—“beautiful view” in Spanish—conceptually drives our design for this innovative, urban “vertical” retirement community. Given the site’s small footprint of one acre, our design team quickly understood that a high-density, vertical approach would be ideal for seniors aging in place. Skilled nursing programs sit at the base of the tower, assisted living at the center, and independent living at the top. Because vertical transportation is the primary means of moving throughout Mirabella, all the units and amenities are no more than 28 steps away. Designed with sophisticated, active adults in mind, Mirabella’s amenities let residents sustain, grow, and thrive. These spaces include a bar, lounge/game room, library, auditorium, business center, fitness center, spa, pool, bistro, fine dining area, and beauty salon—all artfully arranged in this innovative, sustainably built tower overlooking the Willamette River. Our interior concept is cohesive with the architecture, using complementary shapes and materials. The colors and finishes remain contemporary and engaging, while calling upon the texture, translucency, reflections, and patterns of the river’s ecosystem. Innovative lighting solutions are highly efficient and gentle on aging eyes. To add an artisanal touch, all the building’s artwork was custom-made by local artists. From framed pieces, to glass installations and a textured wooden feature in the lobby, there are myriad art forms placed throughout the amenity spaces and hallways. All units are designed to provide seniors with the ability to comfortably age in place. Refined finishes of rich colors provide a luxurious feel, and sustainable appliances allow residents to be conscious of their carbon footprint. Each unit is carefully crafted to let tenants make their apartments home.