COURTESY / CITY OF PORTLAND
A map of former Public Works Dept. property that's been sold to developers includes 178 Kennebec St., shown as Parcel 6.
Updated: September 24, 2019
Mixed-use development to break ground near downtown Portland
Courtesy / The Szanton Co.
A rendering of the Furman Block, a mixed-use building with 51 mixed-income apartments in Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood. The development breaks ground this week.
By Staff
The redevelopment of Portland’s Bayside neighborhood continues, as local developer the Szanton Co. breaks ground Wednesday on the Furman Block, a mixed-use building featuring street-level art space and 51 mixed-income apartments for tenants age 55-plus.
The Furman Block will be in West Bayside, at the corner of Kennebec and Parris streets, according to a news release. Occupancy is expected to begin in the fall of 2020.
“So many exciting things are happening in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland right now,” the development company's president, Nathan Szanton, said in the release. “It’s meaningful to be a part of it.
"The city’s decision to move its public works department out of Bayside and sell that land for private development was far-sighted, and is really paying off. We’re seeing new housing, offices, and restaurants down there. The neighborhood, which is so close to downtown, is really being discovered.”
The site is immediately surrounded by Leavitt & Sons Deli, Port City Bikes, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Orangetheory Fitness and Cyclebar, a newly opened indoor cycling studio. Bayside Bowl, a bowling, restaurant and bar destination is located one block east.
A public groundbreaking ceremony, led by Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling, is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m.
The Szanton Co. has developed three other mixed-income apartment buildings on the Portland peninsula, but none in the last decade, and never before in Bayside. The company is partnering with Bayside redevelopment pioneer Ross Furman, who will own and manage the first-floor artists’ studios and gallery space.
The age-restricted residential units will include 46 one-bedroom and five studio apartments, according to the Szanton website.
Some residents will have water views of Back Cove, others views of Deering Oaks Park or Portland's downtown. The units will have abundant natural light. Included in rent will be heat and hot water, indoor bicycle storage, wi-fi, and access to a fitness center, community room and coin-op laundry.
Archetype Architects drew up the design and Hebert Construction is the contractor.
The project is one of a number of developments transforming the neighborhood.
Some interest in the area was sparked two years ago, when the city accepted proposals for six parcels on four acres along Kennebec, Parris, Portland and Hanover streets. Other projects underway are the new Parris Terraces, on a former city site developed by Jack Soley; The Public Works at 53 Alder St. (formerly 65 Hanover St.), developed by Rob Barrett; Tom Watson’s development of 82 and 44 Hanover, for mixed use; and Ford Reiche’s acquisition of 55 Portland St.
The four-story Furman Block at 178 Kennebec St., is one of two projects aimed at residential needs. Furman, Szanton’s partner on the project, is a real estate entrepreneur. The partners paid $250,000 for the 0.22-acre property, which is adjacent to other property Furman owns.
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