Page 61 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

OLD T OWN AND THE PEARL DISTRIC T  59

more than one million
volumes, including
new, old, used, rare,
and out-of-print books,
on a wealth of subjects.
The store welcomes
6,000 shoppers each
day, and has become
one of Portland’s
most beloved cultural
institutions since its
establishment in 1971.
Despite its size,
Powell’s is easy to
browse in: the 3,500
sections are divided
The Pearl District’s First Thursday, showcasing the work of local artists into nine color-coded
and well-marked rooms,
factories, warehouses, and is an excellent place to begin a and knowledgeable staff at the
garages. Mean while, buildings walk around the area, taking in information desks possess the
are being renovated as condos the contemporary and historical remarkable ability to lay their
and apart ments, and modern buildings, and the district’s hands on any book in the store.
residential blocks are going up ongoing regeneration. The in-store coffee shop allows
all the time. Visitors may notice The name of the district itself browsers to linger for hours,
many similar ities to urban is said to have been coined by making Powell’s a popular
renewal projects in other cities a local gallery owner, Thomas hangout any day of the year.
such as Boston, New York, and Augustine. He suggested that Indeed, it’s open all 365 of them.
London, but the Pearl District the buildings in the Warehouse During the first half of
is still relatively free of large- District were like gray, dull 2014, Powell’s City of Books
scale commercialism. Some oysters, and that the galleries underwent a major remodeling
big-name stores, such as REI, within were like pearls. project that focused on the
Patagonia, and North Face, Green and Blue rooms.
have moved in; a sign that the 5 Powell’s City Changes included a new
neighborhood is changing. roof, entrance porch, lighting,
One of the most enjoyable of Books skylights and energy-efficient
times to visit the Pearl District 1005 W Burnside St. Map 1 B4. Tel windows. These alterations
neighborhood is during a (503) 228-4651. @ 20. Open 9am– have modernized the space
First Thursday event (the first 11pm daily. 7 See Shopping in while respecting the store’s
Thursday of every month), Portland p80. ∑ powells.com history and preserving a
when the many art galleries number of important elements
in the area remain open late The largest independent such as the iconic Powell’s
to show the latest pieces. The bookstore in the world houses Books marquee.
collections feature a broad
range of contemporary art and
artists. The gallery receptions City of Bridges
are open to the public and are Portland, the City of Roses, is also called the City of Bridges because the east
free of charge. and west banks of the Willamette River are linked by more than 10 bridges.
Art galleries have played The first to be built was the Morrison, in 1887, though the original wooden
such an important role crossing has long since been replaced. Pedestrian walkways on many of the
in the development of bridges connect the Eastbank Esplanade on the east side of the river with
the Pearl District that Jamison Governor Tom McCall Waterfront
Square Park is named after Park on the west side. The Steel
William Jamison, the first art Bridge affords the most dramatic
dealer to set up shop in the crossing: a pedestrian path on the
area. Jamison Square, the first lower railroad deck seems to be
of three new parks built in the almost at water level; when a ship
area, includes a water feature needs to pass, the entire deck is
that fills and recedes over a lifted into the bottom of the
central plaza. When the fountain roadway above. The latest addition
is not in use, the plaza is used is the striking Tilikum Crossing,
as an amphitheater for small which opened in 2015 and is for
performances. The park also pedestrians, cyclists, and public
features a wooden boardwalk, transport only. St. Johns Bridge, completed in 1931
lawns, and colorful public art. It

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