Project name: The Heist Bar & Food Carts

Location: Portland

Completion: November 2024

Size: 6,330 square feet

Owner/Developer: Michael Shall

Architect: Brett Schulz Architect

Interior Designer: Amato Design

Engineers: Froelich Engineers, DCI Engineers

General Contractor: Built Environments Northwest

Submitting Company: Brett Schulz Architect

Other Key Participants: Owen Gabbert (Phase 1 food cart pod general contractor)

Subcontractors: A Better Door, A-Line Concrete Cutting, Als Concrete, Bartel Contracting, Baxter & Flaming, Carlson Testing, Cojon, Contract Flooring Consultants, D&R Masonry, Evolution Plumbing, Express Fire, McDonald & Wetle, Prime Electrical, Rack Attack, Second Mile, VZ Excavation, Viking Heating & Sheetmetal, WH Cress

A 1950s bank building that once experienced a real-life heist has been transformed into one of Portland’s most distinctive dining destinations.

The Heist Bar & Food Carts, which completed its indoor space renovation in November 2024 following the May 2023 opening of its outdoor food cart pod, represents a creative approach to adaptive reuse that preserves the building’s mid-century character while creating an interactive community gathering space.

The project team wanted to take the typical food cart pod one step further and create an experience where community, food and art combined for a stellar experience. The Heist  features a large indoor seating area that is a higher end experience and shakes up the preconceived notions of what a food cart pod looks and feels like.

The renovation embraces the building’s banking history throughout its design. The original bank vault has been converted into an interactive art room, the ATM window now serves as an order window for a coffee shop, and safety deposit boxes have been repurposed for the bar and “The Heist” wall sign. The original check writing counter was used to create a seating element. Custom design elements further the banking theme, including penny flooring in the vestibule, railings featuring currency symbols from around the world, and deposit box signage on the walls.

The project faced significant structural challenges, requiring full seismic upgrades to the unreinforced masonry building that had a heavy timber roof structure. Designers implemented a solution using concrete shear walls with large footings and an endoskeleton of steel columns and ceiling rods.

Another challenge involved keeping the outdoor food cart pod operational during construction of the main building. This required comprehensive safety protocols including strategic barriers, controlled access points and scheduling high-risk tasks during off-hours.

The completed facility features space for 21 food carts outside, plus indoor amenities including a bar, coffee shop, arcade, and ample seating. Family-friendly elements include an interactive vault, game room and aquarium. The property is also notably pet-friendly, with water stations throughout.

Built Environments Northwest served as general contractor for the privately funded project, with Brett Schulz Architect handling design and Amato Designs managing interior elements. Owner Michael Shall developed the initial vision for the project.

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