The Arthur Cole Candy Company relocated from their warehouse in the heart of Portland’s Alberta Arts District, leaving behind a fantastic concrete tilt-up warehouse that was perfect for redevelopment. Alberta Mercantile was born. Our goal was to create a project that would leave the existing 7,000 square-foot building intact and also create small spaces that could take advantage of the building’s soaring 22-ft. ceiling heights.
We were able to develop four in-line retail spaces that front Alberta Street, space for a small café, and six live/work units that cluster around a common courtyard on 14th Avenue. Many elements of the existing building remain, including the exposed roof structure. The industrial character was enhanced through installation of exposed mechanical and plumbing systems, staining the existing concrete floor, use of heavy timber and exposed steel, and installation of exposed Douglas fir decking on the mezzanine areas.
