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A 120-year-old, 14,000-square-foot building in Portland鈥檚 Central Eastside Industrial District is being renovated to become the new headquarters for Literary Arts. Bora Architecture & Interiors designed the project, which is now under way at 716 S.E. Grand Ave.

Literary Arts, a community-based nonprofit, aims to engage readers and support writers through programs such as Portland Arts & Lectures, the Oregon Book Awards and Portland Book Festival. The organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

General contractor O鈥橬eill Construction Group started work in September 2023 and is expected to finish this fall. The project team also includes civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering, structural engineer KPFF, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer PAE.

Literary Arts, having outgrown its space in downtown Portland, worked with Bora Architecture & Interiors to tour more than 40 buildings before finding the one in the Central Eastside. The building originally housed Strowbridge Hardware and later became a furniture store, according to Literary Arts鈥� website. Now it will serve 鈥渙ne of the largest literary organizations of its kind in the country,鈥� according to Amy Donohue, Bora Architecture & Interiors鈥� lead architect for the renovation.

鈥淭hroughout the design process, we鈥檝e focused on how this building can best be used by not only staff at Literary Arts, but also those they serve 鈥� readers, writers, and youth,鈥� Donohue stated on the website. 鈥淭he end result is a space that is a welcoming environment for all, irrespective of age, income, race, education, or geographical background 鈥� a true cultural hub in our community.鈥�

Below ground level, the building will hold a classroom, a recording studio, a workroom, a mothers鈥� room, a bike room, employee lockers, and storage space. At ground level, there will be a bookstore, a caf茅, and classrooms. The mezzanine level will have a community room, a bookstore, and additional caf茅 seating. The second floor will hold staff offices.

The project will include a full seismic upgrade. An elevator, an all-electric mechanical system, fire sprinklers, and new plumbing and electrical infrastructure will be installed.

The new roof will gain a photovoltaic solar array via a project in partnership with Elemental Energy, Donohue stated.

The original brick and interior wood will be visible in the completed space, according to Donohue. Also, plans call for a minimal number of wall additions and material interventions on the primary levels, she stated.

鈥淲ith these renovations, Literary Arts extends the life of this building far into the future,鈥� she stated.

The total project cost is $13 million, including $3.5 million for property acquisition.

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