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The R.J. Templeton Building, near the east end of the Burnside Bridge, has a uniquely colorful history and, if all goes according to plan, a vibrant future.

The 84-year-old building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was recently purchased by Arthur Mutal Investments and NFN Investments for $1.2 million. The two companies are planning to pursue adaptive reuse for the 16,400-square-foot building, perhaps to house a mix of office and retail space 鈥� similar to the original use.

Constructed in 1929, the building originally was named the Frigidaire Building because the Frigidaire Co. occupied it until 1934. Frigidaire produced durable goods and serviced 20 dealerships around the state.

The Templeton Building, when it was constructed, was the largest and most modern facility of its kind on the West Coast, according to the application to list it on the national register. Unlike comparable buildings, which featured ceramic brick and timber, the Frigidaire had steel framing and concrete walls. It was designed by noted architecture firm Knighton and Howell, whose founder William C. Knighton was responsible for the design of the Governor Hotel.

After the repeal of prohibition in 1933, the building became home to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, then known as the 鈥淩um Board.鈥� The Templeton was the commission鈥檚 liquor distribution point through the 1940s. The Templeton name comes from the last company to occupy the building in 1959.

While renovation details are still being hammered out, Jeff Arthur of Arthur Mutal sees a lot of potential for the site 鈥� especially with Beam Development鈥檚 redevelopment of the Convention Plaza and Key Development鈥檚 planned construction of a 290-unit apartment complex nearby.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot going on in that immediate area, so it鈥檚 going to complement the area well,鈥� Arthur said.

Block by Block is a weekly look at commercial real estate around Portland. Send suggestions for properties to [email protected].