Northwest Fence and Wire Works Case Study

Preservation in Action Award Recipient

Art DeMuro, Venerable Development
Brian Emerick, Emerick Architects
Jim Lampus, Norwest General Contractors

 

This 18-thousand sq. foot building was originally constructed in 1911 as a livery stable – “the most modern in Portland.” Beginning in 1922 it housed a fence manufacturer, until it closed in 1959. It was purchased in 2004, underwent a complete rehabilitation, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Taking advantage of Federal Historic Tax credits and New Markets Tax credits, financial hurdles were overcome to adapt the building as a creative and manufacturing center in the northern pocket of the Central Eastside Industrial District. The rehab included cleaning and re-pointing the masonry; restoration of interior features such as ceilings, wood floors, beams and exposed brick walls; removal of interior partitions that had been added over the years; and the installation of period light fixtures.

This is an excellent example of how we can preserve and re-use a historic commercial building in the 21st century.

More Photos of Northwest Fence and Wire Works

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