Henry Building Receives Oregon’s Top Honor for Reuse and Revitalization
Historically significant, seismically upgraded building houses some of Portland’s most vulnerable populations
The newly renovated and seismically upgraded Henry Building in downtown Portland is among 11 historic projects across Oregon to receive a 2021 DeMuro Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation!
The 112-year-old Henry Building presented a variety of challenges for the client Central City Concern and project team, which was tasked with providing a cost-effective seismic design solution that both respected the historic character of the structure, while also adding affordable housing units. Thanks to a collaborative design approach and numerous tax credits, the Henry Building is now the tallest seismically reinforced masonry building in Portland. Today, the rehabilitated National Register-listed building offers safe, beautiful and dignified spaces for 173 veterans and low-income residents.
Henry Building’s lobby after (left) and before (right)
Organized by Restore Oregon, the annual DeMuro Awards program recognizes significant achievements in the preservation of Oregon’s built environment by showcasing teams of architects, property owners, and community leaders who have honored Oregon’s historic architecture and cultural heritage.
“These DeMuro-award winning projects serve as inspiration for solving real-world challenges in every community in our state” said Nicole Possert, Restore Oregon Executive Director. “Our jury from across Oregon selected our 2021 winners based on each project’s positive impact upon its community, the ways in which each project might inspire others to save historic places, and the degree to which each project aligned with Restore Oregon’s mission to preserve, reuse, and pass forward the historic places that reflect Oregon’s diverse cultural heritage and make our communities inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable.”
New community space for residents is backed by a hand-painted mural by Linnea Marie Maas
Congratulations to our project partners, including Central City Concern, KPFF, Colas Construction and many others!