91视频

Project plans for a new hotel at the corner of Southwest 11th Avenue and Alder Street were sent back by the Portland Design Commission聽on Thursday for further revisions.

This was in opposition to the city staff report, which had recommended approving the 15-story, 220-room hotel with a 7.7 to 1 floor area ratio (FAR).

Commissioners, however, felt that SERA Architects went too far in its attempt to respond to comments given in a previous hearing.

鈥淚 think you took us a little too seriously when we said to simplify the last approach,鈥� commissioner Dan Vallaster said. 鈥淭he building now feels sterile. You had a rich building before. It may not have been contextually appropriate, but it was very rich.鈥�

Many of the commissioners said they believe that a hotel in Portland’s West End requires a 鈥渉ip鈥� design that also stays within the context of the neighborhood.

鈥淭hat is a very rich neighborhood,鈥� Vallaster said. 鈥淵ou have a lot to play off.鈥�

He said that he would like designers to take the 鈥渇abric鈥� of the design of other area buildings and incorporate it within theirs.

Commissioners also expressed concerns that the building neither reflected the intimacy of the neighborhood nor engaged pedestrians.

鈥淲e don’t have bubbles around ourselves,鈥� Vice Chairman Ted Savinar said. 鈥淚 think there is an opportunity, especially if it’s a hotel, to provide people with an experience that is true, is of our city and expresses it in its form. This (building) is Atlanta. This is Brazil. It’s any place.鈥�

As the SERA Architects team sought direction from the commission, the firm’s Jeff Roberts showed commissioners several earlier design versions that received more favorable comments from them to gain an understanding of what they’re looking for. Commissioners also explained what they liked about alternative designs of ground floors.

鈥淵ou had some very dynamic ideas the first time you were here,鈥� Commission Chairman David Wark said. 鈥淎ll the air has kind of gone out of it. Even as unruly as it was, there was some things to work with.鈥�

Overall, the commission stressed the importance of finding a design that brings a modern, hip touch to an established neighborhood.

鈥淭his should be a place I want to be,鈥� Savinar said. 鈥淭hat is a tough couple blocks. The bar is high.鈥�

The project team will return with a revised design at the commission’s聽meeting on Feb. 16.

Also on Thursday:

Ankeny Apartments

The Ankeny Apartments development team decided not to request a vote by the Design Commission. The bid for approval for a six-story, 17-unit apartment complex at 1122 S.E. Ankeny St. was expected to be denied.

During a meeting Jan. 5, the commission had voiced its opposition of the proposed design and was prepared to vote against approval despite the staff report that recommended otherwise. At that meeting, the project team had expressed an interest in appealing an anticipated denial to the City Council. A final vote was postponed until聽Thursday聽while a new staff report was prepared to reflect the commission’s decision.

Now the project team, including YGH Architecture, has decided to revise the design in a way to potentially gain the commission’s approval.

The project will return before the commission on聽Feb. 2.

Southeast Portland townhomes

The commission voted to follow the city staff report and approve plans for a 31-unit townhouse development designed by Ankrom Moisan Architects for 10840 S.E. Salmon St. Conditions were given for the type of railing, color of boards and type of concrete for the project. With those conditions, the commission unanimously approved it.

Downtown building improvements

Proposed alterations for two adjoining buildings at 901-919 S.W. Taylor St. were returned by the Design Commission for further revisions. The design team from Peter Meijer Architect plans to replace 192 steel windows with aluminum windows. Also, storefront alterations on the ground floor would bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit is in the works as well.

Commissioners said they did not think the project team spent enough time exploring options for restoring windows rather than replacing them. They also wanted more information about possibilities for replacement if that became necessary. Commissioners were OK with the storefront alterations and the mechanical rooftop replacement.

The project team will return before the commission on Feb. 16 with updated plans.