Top Story
The Land Bridge and Prairie at Memorial Park – ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist
Learn more about 2025 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist The Land Bridge and Prairie at Memorial Park (Houston, Texas).
Slabtown - Phases 1-3 – ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist
May 12, 2025
Photo By GBD ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED
Beyond the immediate district, the iconic Fremont Bridge and Portland’s industrial waterfront create a striking backdrop, reinforcing Slabtown’s unique location at the intersection of the city’s past and future. This area has quickly become a sought-after destination for residents and businesses alike, offering walkable access to boutique shops, craft breweries, and some of the city’s best dining options.
Photo By ANDREW POGUE
Slabtown Marketplace, adaptive use of a 1952 vintage warehouse serves as the anchor retail grocery store for the Slabtown development. Partnered with the adjacent LL Hawkins, a mixed-use residential building with ground-floor retail, these were the first phase of projects completed in this 7-acre redevelopment zone in northwest Portland. 28,000 RSF grocer and 7,350 RSF retail. (Phase 1).
Location: Portland, Oregon
Developers: Capstone Partners LLC; Cairn Pacific; Prometheus Real Estate Group; Capstone Partners LLC
Designers: GBD Architects; Jones Architecture; Holst Architecture; SERA Architects; KPFF Consulting Engineers; Froelich Engineers; Lango Hansen Landscape Architects; DOWL; Listen Acoustics; Biella Lighting; American Heating; Berg Electric; Delta Fire
Site Size: 23.5 Acres
Spanning 17.49 acres in Portland’s Northwest District, Slabtown has redefined the city’s approach to infill redevelopment. Once a low-density industrial site dominated by parking lots and warehouses, it is now a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood with over 4,200 new residents. Slabtown’s success lies in its careful balance of adaptive reuse, new development, and community-centered public space, making it a model for equitable and sustainable urbanism.
Initiated through a public-private partnership with Con-way Freight, the transformation began in 2011 with an extensive public engagement process that shaped a community-driven master plan. Formally adopted by the City of Portland in 2013, the plan prioritized pedestrian connectivity, housing diversity, human-scale retail, and the adaptive reuse of key industrial structures.
Photo By ANDREW POGUE
LL Hawkins stands as a landmark of modern urban development, setting the stage for Slabtown’s evolution into one of Portland’s most vibrant districts. Named after Lester Leander “Colonel” Hawkins—an early champion of Portland’s growth and the preservation of its natural beauty—the project embodies his legacy of progress and community spirit (Phase 1).
In the first three phases of development, over 670,000 square feet of new and repurposed buildings were delivered. These include 498 residential units in a mix of walk-ups, mid-rises, and high-rises; nearly 97,000 square feet of office space; over 79,000 square feet of active retail; over 460,000 square feet of residential; and more than 157,000 square feet of adaptive reuse projects. These buildings are carefully scaled to enhance natural light, walkability, and connectivity between uses. Nearly one-third of the entire site has been dedicated to public space in the form of rooftop gardens, courtyards, plazas, and lush greenways, all of which invite gathering, leisure, and community connection.
Key projects exemplify the district’s focus on design excellence and human-first planning. LL Hawkins is a six-story mixed-use building with 113 residences over retail. Its U-shaped design maximizes access to daylight and mountain views, while a carved-out corner plaza creates a welcoming entry. Slabtown Marketplace, a 38,660-square-foot adaptive reuse of a 1952 warehouse, preserved the building’s sawtooth skylights and timber structure. Now home to New Seasons Market, Breakside Brewery, and YogaSix, the Marketplace helped establish the neighborhood as a vibrant commercial hub. The Leland James building, a former 1970s office, has been transformed into nearly 122,000 square feet of creative office space. The design integrates the original brick, steel, and dock elements with modern sustainability features like an eco-roof and expansive windows. The Carson & The Carson South development adds 385 new residential units across a range of scales, with active ground-floor retail and a stair-stepped high-rise that respects neighborhood context. A 60-foot-wide pedestrian corridor and 50-foot-deep landscaped forecourt further reinforce walkability and openness.
Photo By CHRISTIAN COLUMBRES
The Carson’s stepped design reflects Slabtown’s historic building blocks while creating a dynamic, pedestrian-friendly environment. The open forecourt and accessway invite community interaction while replanted sequoia trees anchor the corner, reconnecting the site to its natural roots. Thoughtfully designed rooftop amenities and eco-roofs enhance the resident experience, blending urban living with sustainability and sweeping city views (Phase 3).
Throughout the district, design strategies emphasize small-scale retail, modest building heights, and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, resulting in a public realm that invites lingering, shopping, dining, and connection. Streets were designed to prioritize people over vehicles, inspired by precedents from Amsterdam and Copenhagen. The public realm is activated by diverse storefronts, landscape design, and accessible green space that serves as both a connector and destination.
Slabtown’s name and identity are deeply tied to its industrial past. In the 19th century, the area was home to lumber mills, and the term “slabtown” referred to the discarded wood slabs used for fuel and building. The redevelopment honors this history by integrating reclaimed wood, exposed steel, and brick into buildings, landscape features, and public art. Historical elements were not only preserved but also woven into a contemporary urban experience that acknowledges Portland’s roots while looking toward the future.
Photo By BREAKSIDE BREWERY
Breakside delivers award-winning craft beer and a lively brewpub experience to Portland’s Slabtown district. Nestled in the northwest corner of a renovated 1952 warehouse, this custom-built brewery features a full-service restaurant, two seating levels, 16 taps pouring fan favorites, and exclusive house-brewed creations. Quickly earning its place as one of Portland’s top breweries, Breakside is a must-visit destination and the perfect way to experience the best of Slabtown.
Environmental remediation ensured the site was safe for redevelopment. Infrastructure upgrades were required to support increased density. And meaningful community engagement helped align the vision with public priorities, including sustainability, affordability, and long-term livability.
Today, Slabtown is a thriving district that exceeds Portland’s urban design standards and serves as a national model for sustainable, walkable, and community-driven development. With continued investment in future phases, it stands as a replicable example of how cities can convert underutilized land into livable neighborhoods, honoring the past while shaping a more connected, human-scaled future.