The Leftbank Project

The Leftbank represents a decided effort by a few idealistic folks who, like many Portlanders, work to change the world.

I had the chance to attend a happy hour yesterday at The Leftbank Project, and I came away incredibly impressed at the perseverance required to pull of this re-development, the “triple-bottom line” approach that was taken, and the sense of community guiding the project and it’s tenants.

The Leftbank Project we all had the chance to see last night was the culmination of a decade long effort by Daniel Deutsch of Alora Development, and the many people who have helped out along the way.  Too often we hear of the things going wrong with our communities, our city, our state, our country, and the world.  Not often enough do we hear of stories like Leftbank, which are enthused with the desire to make this world a better place.  We hear everyday just how much the DOW Jones went up or down, imagine what would happen if instead we heard everyday just how many new classrooms were built or old buildings restored.  Our priorities are completely backwards, and developments like Leftbank and the tenants it seeks to house are what slowly chip away at this social malady.

Leftbank is the pairing of a building and a vision: the commercial development of a Portland landmark with a community of mission-driven tenants.

At the corner of N. Broadway and Wheeler, the Leftbank’s 50,000 sq. ft. of leasable space includes “individual offices in the Hive, a 22-desk co-working community with shared meeting space; traditional offices with inspiring city views; move-in ready creative studio spaces; and light production areas.”  Current tenants include gallopowell studio, Upright Brewing Company, Upstream Public Health, Portland Farmers Market, SOLIDCORE, intelligent design, ORANGEWALLstudios, The GreenVille Project, JHL design, Old Town Computers, and the Leftbank cafe a partnership with Bon Apetit featuring locally sourced ingredients, regional wines, and beer from Leftbank’s own Upright Brewing.

In an A.E. Doyle designed building that has played host to such musical giants as Thelonius Monk, Louis Armstrong, and Lester Young at the one of a kind Dude Ranch, one can’t help but feel instant inspiration upon entering the west facing entrance.  This feeling is aided by the care with which deconstruction and then construction were handled.  Wherever and whenever possible original materials were renovated or put to good use elsewhere in the building.  If they weren’t salvaging old windows and water damaged beams, they were taking care to ensure that any new systems needed to be put in place were of the highest efficiency.  Additionally, some materials were sourced from local companies such as  Eleek, Inc. and Stardust Glass.

Where work meets community and community sparks collaboration, the Hive at Leftbank offers a new way of working.

So you can count me as a believer and supporter of the Leftbank mission, and who knows maybe one day as a tenant…