Groundwire
1510 SE Water Avenue • Portland, OR
Once a hardworking transformer depot, Groundwire is now a modern workspace and one of Portland’s cleanest, greenest, and healthiest buildings.
Project Overview
ASSET TYPE
Office
CONTRACTOR
Robert & Olson
ARCHITECT
Mackenzie
COMPLETION
2015
WEBSITE
SQUARE FEET
40,000
Old Building, New Life
The Groundwire building was originally built as a railroad freight depot in 1909. More than a century later, we saw potential where others just saw a tear-down and thus embarked on the complete redevelopment of the building. The project presented more than its fair share of complex challenges, but in the end, it was all worth it.
Throughout the redevelopment process, we dug deep into our collective knowledge and experience with environmental restoration, solving new problems on a daily basis. We collaborated with several great partners and worked closely with the building’s prior owner, Portland General Electric, to fully unlock the site’s potential and save a piece of Portland’s Industrial History.
Blending Things Old and New
By combining original elements with new ideas, we were able to create a one of a kind building offering the best of both worlds. We salvaged the original gabled and hitched roof and used the old-growth lumber throughout the interior. Then we added modern features like a radiant and chilled floor mechanical system. To give the project warmth and inspiration throughout, we added authentic cast-in-place concrete columns and walls, high ceilings, large operable windows, a three-story central atrium, and a fitness lounge.
One-of-a-kind
Ultimately, our transformation of this old depot achieved LEED Platinum certification and resulted in one of the most energy-efficient private office buildings in our region.
Perfectly situated in the heart of the Central Eastside Industrial District, Groundwire’s location is just as attractive as the building itself. Easy access to the Eastbank Esplanade, numerous Water Ave amenities, Portland Streetcar, and the MAX light rail system are all within close proximity.
Truly Workable Workspace
Our partnership with the main tenant, Simple, extended into some pretty revolutionary modern workplace design concepts at the time. Skylight was one of the first buildings in the city to have gender-neutral restrooms, rooms for dog owners to work with their pets, and ample light-filled spaces to find quiet time and enjoy the natural light. This modern workspace is a far cry from the traditional cubicle farm model and it has proven to work wonderfully. We set out to build a space where people feel comfortable to be themselves and free to be creative - and we think we achieved that with Skylight.
