First Word: bside6 Preview Party

We can talk all we want about promoting, nurturing, growing Portland’s creative economy, but what does that really look like? What kinds of policies are we looking for? What kinds of building projects do we want/need? What can strengthen already thriving interdisciplinary interaction as well as projects, companies, and individuals in fields like design, architecture, fashion, film, art?

Well, we can look to Brad Malsin’s Eastbank Commerce Center and the more recent Water Commerce Center (1028 SE Water) with model agency, photographer, boutique, architects, radio show as tenants. And we can look to the development of Milepost5, making affordable work/live condos for artists. These are examples of redeveloped buildings making space for the businesses and artists making Portland a great place to make work. More importantly, places like the Oak Street Building, also on the Eastside, provide fertile grounds for interdisciplinary interaction and collaboration.

On October 9 you’ll have your first chance to see what this kind of development looks like when it’s built from the ground up. An AIA award-winning design by Works Partnership Architecture makes the exterior of bside6 (534 E Burnside) as dynamic as the work that will be happening inside. Based on drawings by Le Corbusier, bside6 is billed as “workspace for cultural creatives.”

Your first view of bside6 comes courtesy of their upcoming preview party (cocktails, music, raffle, info) at Rontoms (600 E Burnside) on October 9 rom 6-9 PM. RSVP to Lance Marrs, info@bside6.com. We like the pretty picture. We’re curious. Are you?