Photo of Mirabella Portland

Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

Photo of Mirabella Portland

Photo of Mirabella Portland

Photo of Mirabella Portland

Photo of Mirabella Portland

 

Mirabella Portland

Sophisticated Senior Living

Designed for seniors who want to remain connected to the greater downtown Portland community, Mirabella is a 30-story high-rise in Portland’s South Waterfront district that sets a the bar for a truly urban continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The first LEED Platinum CCRC in the country, this 30-story curved tower provides all levels of continuing care: independent and assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. With over 400 residents and 140 staff members, Mirabella exemplifies successful urban senior housing.

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Portland, Oregon
  • 284 units
  • 30 stories
  • 517000 sq. ft.
  • Completed in 2010
PROGRAM

Not for Profit

PROJECT CONTACT

Architecture: Ryan Miyahira

Interiors: Leah Wheary

Planning: Michael Great

seniorliving@ankrommoisan.com


Planning Story

Community Orientation

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

To fully embody Mirabella’s promise of “beautiful view,” we integrated building with landscape in very specific ways, as foundational to our entire design and goal of contributing to residents’ quality of life. This innovative “vertical” retirement community taps into our master-planning experience for Portland’s Southwest Waterfront district: Our integrated team’s design reflects district guidelines and connects the tall, slender tower to the neighborhood via the adjacent park and transit—most immediately, the sidewalk, and in particular, the greenway open space along the Willamette River. Green terracing brings the park up and over the building; view corridors preserve the visual connection to the West Hills and the Willamette River and maintain water and mountain sightlines. At a smaller scale, wanting to establish strong connections to activity on each side of the building, we created a different response to the neighborhood’s urban character on each corner. On the quiet, pedestrian-oriented park side, we designed for a library. On the active side, we designed a courtyard water feature that responds to the river and draws even more attention to the public bistro (that’s also completely secure and safe for residents). Despite the fact that Mirabella’s programming, services, orientation, and outdoor spaces was among the most complex system we’ve ever done, our circulation and wayfinding solutions feel extremely simple. Our design makes it easy for residents and visitors to not only use the greenspace, but readily orient themselves within it and find their way into and through the building.

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Architecture Story

Vibrant Urban Density

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Kirsten Force

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.

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Interior Story

Artfully Arranged Interiors

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Lawrence Anderson

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Kirsten Force

Architecture Photo of Mirabella Portland

© Kirsten Force

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.

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