Shiels | Obletz

Located just one and a half miles from Portland's city center and along a major public transit route, the Belmont Dairy exemplifies the potential for quality urban living in a high-density environment. The project involves the adaptive use of a 70-year old dairy in the core of an established urban neighborhood, and serves as a model for mixed-income, mixed-use development.

Once a productive complex supplying milk to the local schools and Eskimo Pies^TM to local grocery stores, the dairy was abandoned in 1990 and quickly became a neighborhood eyesore. Where most people saw a wasteland, the principals of SOJ began envisioning a vibrant community landmark that would include a mix of housing and retail. They were devoted to using as much of the existing structure as possible; saving 40,000 SF of the original 80,000 SF dairy, recycling major building elements and incorporating Portland General Electric's (PGE) Earth Smart^TM building standards throughout the process. The development offers 66 apartments, 19 residential lofts, and 26,000 SF of retail space, including Zupan's Markets, a popular Northwest specialty grocer, and Salvador Molly's, a lively Cuban restaurant. The lofts feature 18- to 22-foot ceilings, large windows with double French doors, and most offer a mezzanine level. The one- and two-bedroom apartments offer 9-foot ceilings, large windows and designer kitchens. The development also provides a landscaped courtyard for the enjoyment of all tenants.

The neighborhood has embraced the revitalization of the dairy. Today, after sitting vacant for five years and attracting squatters and graffiti, the Belmont Dairy is the cornerstone and impetus for the revitalization of the Sunnyside Neighborhood and Belmont Business District. The Belmont Dairy has been recognized regionally and nationally as a model in-fill and mixed-use development project, and has received various awards including the Governor's Livability Award and BEST Innovation Award in 1997.