Expanding Portland Presence
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The University of Oregon and Venerable Group, Inc., on
September 8 accepted the keys to the historic White Stag
Building in Portland from the Naito family, longtime owners
of the landmark structure.
The ceremony symbolized the
change in use that will occur when the university moves
its Portland programs to the building on the signature
White Stag Block in Old Town Portland. Remodeling has
begun in anticipation of a January 2008 opening.
The White
Stag Building was designed in 1907 as a manufacturing
and warehouse facility by the Willamette Tent and Awning
Company. The building is an integral part of the gothic
Bickel Block designed in 1883. The Naito family acquired
the property in 1972.
“It is a deep honor to receive keys to the building
from the Naito family,” said Dave Frohnmayer, university
president. “We are excited to join the neighborhood,
to expand our Portland programs, and to further strengthen
our services to the greater Portland area. The University
of Oregon is committed to Portland and expects to remain
a long-term partner in the community.”
The building has been purchased by White Stag Block,
LLC, managed by Venerable. The university has signed an
eighteen-year lease, with an option to buy in the eighth
year, for the building and portions of two other historic
buildings also situated on the White Stag Block. With
approximately 66,000 square feet of available space, the
new Portland facility will unite university academic programs
in one place and will allow the university to host lectures,
exhibits, and other public events.
The center will include six classrooms, new event space
for up to 250 people, a new library for architecture and
journalism programs, a shared computer laboratory, and
a new university book store Duck Shop, which will also
feature a cafe. In addition, the new facility will house
administrative offices for seventy-five to 100 employees,
including AHA International, a study-abroad program provider
which operates under the auspices of the University of
Oregon.
“Today we pass the torch from one of Portland’s
flagship families to our state’s flagship university,”
said Portland Mayor Tom Potter. “In addition to
all of the benefits of the university’s expansion
in Portland, I look forward to a long, fruitful partnership
with the university, the Portland Development Commission
(PDC), and the neighborhood to revitalize Old Town.”
The University of Oregon’s current Portland facilities
are in a university-owned building at 722 S.W. Second
Avenue as well as elsewhere in the city in leased space.
