KOIN Center

I’ve always been curious about the KOIN center. When I was younger, I remember going to see a movie at the now defunct KOIN Center Cinema. Aside from that experience, I didn’t know much about the building. It’s Portland’s third tallest skyscraper and was designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca in 1984. It stands at a modest 509 feet. I was able to make a building diagram by referencing a few floorplans I found online, but the condominium floors at the top are a mystery. Floors 20-31 are called the Fountain Plaza Condominiums and information on them seems non-existent. I’m always curious to see floorplans of high-rise apartments, so if anyone has information, let me know.

Interstate Avenue and Fremont Bridge

I had a chance to explore a part of Portland I rarely visit: Interstate Avenue/Boise Eliot Neighborhood. I walked from Overlook park down to Tillamook Street. The area around Interstate and Tillamook really reminded me of the Arts District in Los Angeles. Bike repair shops, taverns, art studios, rusty trucks, BMWs and barbed wire- a little bit of everything.

I’ll bring my sketchbook next time. This will be a great part of town to draw.