Download Leftbank FAQs - The Leftbank Project

Leftbank
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Leftbank’s mission?
The Leftbank represents a decided effort by a few idealistic folks, who, like many
Portlanders, are working to change the world. We believe that good ideas are
born through collaboration, and that one’s efforts can only be sustained by the
support and inspiration of community. This belief guides our adaptation of a
Portland landmark. We are creating space where these ideas are encouraged,
cultivated and launched into the world at large.
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Why is the project called Leftbank?
Leftbank is nod to the southern bank of the river Seine in Paris which attracted
artists, writers and philosophers, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Ernest
Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald and dozens of other thought leaders and
artists of the early 1900s.
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Who is behind Leftbank?
Leftbank was conceived of and built by a small group of cultural architects with
the earnest ambition to bring new vitality to Portland’s Eastside. This group
included Alora Development, GalloPowell Studio and Autopoiesis, LLC.
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Is Leftbank available for events?
The Leftbank building is dedicated to work, production and meeting spaces. To
further foster innovation and community, Leftbank developers are also renovating
a 20,000 square foot warehouse adjacent to Leftbank. Called The Leftbank
Annex, this warehouse will be a versatile event space that fills a void of mid-sized
event venues in Portland. The Annex offers a raw and industrial interior that
provides a blank canvas for events ranging from trade shows to concerts. Open
to Leftbank tenants and the community at large, the building includes a ballroom
of nearly 800 square feet on the main floor and a 4,000 square foot ballroom with
two 1,000 square feet meeting rooms on the bottom level. We hope to have The
Annex open late this fall but will announce an opening date in the coming
months.
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Is Leftbank LEED certified?
The Leftbank Project is a radical new model of urban renewal and sustainable
development that’s green not for what it built, but what it was able to save. The
project was deigned by GalloPowell Studios and DiLoreto Architecture, which
together transformed a trio of connected buildings originally slated for demolition,
and instead, and preserved as much of the integrity of the original structures as
possible. Leftbank was developed through a sensitive and site specific
design/build process. Contractor Lovett Deconstruction employed deconstruction
techniques that allowed the highest possible yield of reusable materials that were
then reincorporated into the building. Between six and eight tons of steel were
recycled, and water damaged beams were milled into new stair treads and new
floors crafted from old floor boards. In addition, new systems have been infused
into the building including ultra-efficient LED lights and high-efficiency heating
and cooling. The result is an eclectic mix of unique space rich in character that
includes wood floors, old growth ceiling beams, exposed brick and original
windows. Leftbank encourages sustainability beyond the building’s walls with
efforts to revitalize a neighborhood, encourage multimodal transportation and
support local business.
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Does Leftbank have any initial tenants?
Leftbank has already attracted a rich cross section of Portland culture including
the Portland Farmer’s Market, Upright Brewing, Upstream Health, Orange Wall
Studio, and GalloPowell Studios, among others. We are looking forward to
attracting other mission-driven tenants from a broad spectrum of disciplines and
interests.
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How will you build community?
Culture and collaboration is important to Leftbank. The building has been
designed to foster collaboration across the rich cross-section of Portland culture
that we hope Leftbank attracts. The building’s thoughtfully designed community
spaces include the Leftbank Café, the Hive, a 22-desk co-working community,
and The Leftbank Annex, an event space adjacent to Leftbank. In addition, about
20 percent of the building is dedicated to unleased common spaces intended for
informal, organic tenant gatherings.
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Where can tenants park?
We recognized when we made a commitment to the rehabilitation of these
historic buildings that parking would be important and we have made
arrangements with the Rose Quarter parking garage across the street from
Leftbank to accommodate our tenants. There are two parking spaces offered to
tenants per 2,000 square feet of leased space. Beyond auto parking, we’ve
invested in ample covered bike parking, both inside and out. In addition, Leftbank
is situated within walking distance of Max light rail, bus and future street car lines.
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