Thompson's Point, Portland

Seanflynn78 said:
It's a shame Thompson's Point could not have been the home to a new arena in Portland. The main issue of course would be parking! A single point getting in and out of Thompson's Point would be a challenge.
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The intent was to build a parking garage and the new arena behind what they call Brick North, with the old Suburban Propane office as the ticketing office and arena entrance. Here's the plan from 2016; the arena is labeled "Event Center"
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I totally agree with the egress via the single, windy Thompson's Point Road being a challenge.
 
DV74 said:
That building is atrocious. I could have lived with the rendering, but in reality it is a fragmented, striped mess. Why didn't they try to at least match the louvers to the lighter precast? Why did they change to so many different material colors? The window mullions are way too chunky.
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It’s really one of the worst I’ve seen for new construction.
 
Omg, there are worst architecture disasters in Portland, than this. How about all the section 8 housing avesta is building. Hotels are built to an industry standard and what the hotel chain uses.it could be alot worse. When that concert goer stays there, they are not going to be concerned about the louvers
 
MarkHB said:
The intent was to build a parking garage and the new arena behind what they call Brick North, with the old Suburban Propane office as the ticketing office and arena entrance. Here's the plan from 2016; the arena is labeled "Event Center"
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I totally agree with the egress via the single, windy Thompson's Point Road being a challenge.
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I should clarify in case anyone misread it (as I did when I just returned to the thread), I meant "windy" as in "winding," not as in "windswept" 🤣
 
TC_zoid said:
They hire one architect for one design. Whether its a Moxy in Peoria or Chattanooga or the one in Portland, Maine, it all has to look the same, like a McDonald's.
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Nope. The Moxy brand is actually intentional about being "unique" and "locally inspired." It's one of the brand's core pillars. Obviously there are certain things that they replicate across locations (the pink "Moxy" logo, the check-in at the bar, the spartan, industrial looking rooms), but the building architecture varies pretty drastically depending on location. It's not like a Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn where you can expect extremely consistent architecture regardless of the location (especially in suburban locations). So they were certainly not stuck with this design at all (though I don't think it looks that bad).
 
TC_zoid said:
They hire one architect for one design. Whether its a Moxy in Peoria or Chattanooga or the one in Portland, Maine, it all has to look the same, like a McDonald's.
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But they don't all look the same.
 
Lrfox said:
Nope. The Moxy brand is actually intentional about being "unique" and "locally inspired." It's one of the brand's core pillars. Obviously there are certain things that they replicate across locations (the pink "Moxy" logo, the check-in at the bar, the spartan, industrial looking rooms), but the building architecture varies pretty drastically depending on location. It's not like a Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn where you can expect extremely consistent architecture regardless of the location (especially in suburban locations). So they were certainly not stuck with this design at all (though I don't think it looks that bad).
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You did not get my reference point with the McDonald's too. All new McDonald's are the same but different--they look different on the outside but once you go inside it's the same. All new Aloft, Moxy, Tru by Hilton, etc. are the same but different. I've stayed in them all--and multiple times too. Simply because a color or design on the superficial exterior looks different does not make it different. Good or better or involved architecture requires an architect to actually visit the site beforehand to see and talk with the people who would use it. This Moxy could have been better not because of the bland facade, but because the corner or Eastern end could have been opened up maybe with a circular courtyard (and roof covering) for a fun outdoor space to connect with the hordes of concert goers or those going back and forth to the children's museum. A small children's section inside would be smart too. This is basically or the essence of the same as all the Moxy's, just like most of the super hero movies follow the same formula. And local wall art and images do not help much either. I'd be surprised if there weren't some lighthouses and lobster boat images somewhere. All interior design firms around the country do this now as that is the copied mantra (The Press Hotel took this idea to the extreme back when it was renovated). If you want something good or inspirational (thus different) you have to put some effort into it by going there and using some creativity. This Moxy architect is simply pushing a "change the facade" button for this size building in his AutoCAD program for the Portland, Maine one and going home at 5. Ill bet he or she doesn't even know it's Portland, Maine and so not the Oregon one. Instagram sends me many ads with Portland, Oregon, though it's been years since I've been there.
 
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TC_zoid said:
You did not get my reference point with the McDonald's too. All new McDonald's are the same but different--they look different on the outside but once you go inside it's the same. All new Aloft, Moxy, Tru by Hilton, etc. are the same but different. I've stayed in them all--and multiple times too. Simply because a color or design on the superficial exterior looks different does not make it different. Good or better or involved architecture requires an architect to actually visit the site beforehand to see and talk with the people who would use it. This Moxy could have been better not because of the bland facade, but because the corner or Eastern end could have been opened up maybe with a circular courtyard (and roof covering) for a fun outdoor space to connect with the hordes of concert goers or those going back and forth to the children's museum. A small children's section inside would be smart too. This is basically or the essence of the same as all the Moxy's, just like most of the super hero movies follow the same formula. And local wall art and images do not help much either. I'd be surprised if there weren't some lighthouses and lobster boat images somewhere. All interior design firms around the country do this now as that is the copied mantra (The Press Hotel took this idea to the extreme back when it was renovated). If you want something good or inspirational (thus different) you have to put some effort into it by going there and using some creativity. This Moxy architect is simply pushing a "change the facade" button for this size building in his AutoCAD program for the Portland, Maine one and going home at 5. Ill bet he or she doesn't even know it's Portland, Maine and so not the Oregon one. Instagram sends me many ads with Portland, Oregon, though it's been years since I've been there.
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I got the reference, I just didn't feel like it was applicable here or really even accurate. To start, it was pretty clear that the conversation in this thread was specifically about external appearance of the building. Not the interior (which, to my knowledge, nobody in this thread has seen yet). And it's demonstrably wrong to say "they hire one architect for one design." This project was designed by PROCON, a Hookset, NH based architectural firm. This was their first Moxy property.

Like I said before, they are intentional about trying to avoid having all of their locations look alike. They don't just slap different materials on a cookie cutter box. They frequently seek out and renovate historic structures (Springfield MO, Cork, Times Square, Phoenix, Cincy, etc.), build new structures of all different sizes with different materials (Boston, LA, NY Downtown, Chlesea, etc.), and really do work to incorporate local design elements into the actual structure (Banff, Tempe, Palm Springs, Tulum, etc.), not just a handful of pictures on the walls. And those varying sizes, ages, and layouts, etc. mean the interiors are never identical either (I've stay in a few at this point and none have been alike apart from the ubiquitous pink "Moxy" branding).

Do they always get it right? Absolutely not. You're right that the Portland location could have done a lot better. It does look fairly plain. And of course their are commonalities between locations - that's typical for any international chain. There needs to be a certain standard and some degree of continuity. But of the hotel chains out there, Moxy is better than most. And it's certainly not anything close to a McDonald's level of uniformity.

*edited to add* I wonder if the co-branding with Residence Inn or value engineering kept them from getting a little more creative with the design? Both? I still don't think it's that awful, but it doesn't look great
 
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PlantArch said:
Like a toe fungus.
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Perhaps instead of simply a knee-jerk reaction "Like a toe fungus or It's just another Portland turd", explain why? The key to good or better architecture is not the superficial exterior as much as it is how the form and the interior improves or enhances the user experience. I think when it's done a visit to see the interior would be a good idea for a final verdict. And since I did walk the side and front exteriors yesterday (reference all 4 images), I thought the front and side egress options and pickup/drop off zones were not too bad. The building is centered in Thompson's Point and opens up to the immediate concert entrance (and BAR), so that's good.
 
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TC_zoid said:
Perhaps instead of simply a knee-jerk reaction "Like a toe fungus or It's just another Portland turd", explain why? The key to good or better architecture is not the superficial exterior as much as it is how the form and the interior improves or enhances the user experience. I think when it's done a visit to see the interior would be a good idea for a final verdict. And since I did walk the side and front exteriors yesterday (reference all 4 images), I thought the front and side egress options and pickup/drop off zones were not too bad. The building is centered in Thompson's Point and opens up to the immediate concert entrance (and BAR), so that's good.
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It looks more like an industrial factory building than anything else. Also gives an appearance like the exterior of a baseball stadium for some reason. The color schematics are bland, blah, monotone. Will be hard to tell if or when the building needs exterior cleaning.

The "industrial" appearance "may" make it integrate into the neighboring buildings that have been updated, which creates consistency. One could argue that it helps to integrate it (or disguise it) within nature itself rather than standing out unnaturally.

If we are a forum of architects, builders, developers, planners, community folks ... I'd like to know where the craftsmanship is? The artistry, creativity? Like most of Portland these days, the lack of VISION is astounding and obvious. I know children who love to draw, paint, design buildings, castles, cities ... as many young architects often did ... who could design something far more interesting, integrated, intentional, and so on.

Let's talk about intention(ality) for a moment, while we're at it. Intentionality coupled with vision is kind of important. We are seeing an abundance of architecture that is no more than slapping up ugly leggo boxes ... or ... resembles Eastern European garbage.

Let's look at what Roux is doing North of Portland ... and then SOUTH of Portland (in what one could consider a comparable city "gateway"), we have this turd.

You'll disagree, but your capacity for navigating feedback, criticism, opposing views, or entertaining simple dialogue (esp those that don't agree with you) is basically ZERO. You're always hyper-critical of others, defensive, and act like you know better than everyone else with your superiority. For once, just stop and a resounding "ENOUGH" with the negativity. You're one of the more toxic and disrespectful responders within this forum. Just knock it off already, consider other views, get over yourself, and play nice.

Satisfied with the non-knee-jerk reaction? Which are ... btw ... just as valid as any "de facto" BS you enjoy chest beating with.
 
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Stop with the personal attacks. Can we be adults on here? Lets accept each other- warts and all. None of us are prefect on here. Let's move on and learn from each other. It's a small community on here and if we see something we dont care for- move past it and give them the benefit of the doubt. The same as text messages, tone and emotion gets lost. Everyone on here brings something different to the table. We all love Portland for different reasons.
 
Seanflynn78 said:
Stop with the personal attacks. Can we be adults on here? Lets accept each other- warts and all. None of us are prefect on here. Let's move on and learn from each other. It's a small community on here and if we see something we dont care for- move past it and give them the benefit of the doubt. The same as text messages, tone and emotion gets lost. Everyone on here brings something different to the table. We all love Portland for different reasons.
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I don't tend to say much on this forum. When I do, it is inquisitive, positive, and open-minded.

I am more than happy with civility, respect, professionalism, debate, opposition, consideration, and keeping things friendly.

When the experience of multiple participants seem to overlap with one outlier ... then speaking up is necessary.

Rather than reducing it to a matter of lost/misunderstood tone, emotion, or intention - we should acknowledge the experience of an observed PATTERN by many on this forum.

I personally do not care who you are, where you've been, what you've accomplished, what you've seen, where you've studied, who you know, what you do, or your experience. I care about respect, professionalism, the open sharing of ideas, and so on. There are ways to speak FROM experience and wisdom without negativity, self-importance, criticism, dismissiveness, etc. The overall experience of this forum would benefit greatly with some self reflection and changed patterns.
 
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