Shiels | Obletz

SOJ served as the project manager for this unique mixed-use project in the Hollywood District of Portland, Oregon. The project combines a 13,000 SF branch library with 47 mixed-income apartments and 815 square feet of ground floor retail space. This innovative, transit-oriented project is a first-of-its-kind joint venture between the County as the library owner, and Sockeye Development, LLC who owns the residential and retail spaces.

The ground floor library has been animated with a variety of art elements. Renowned artist Peter Mollica designed a series of stained glass pieces that were installed into the large windows along N.E. Tillamook Street and in the entry vestibule. The colorful glass plays with different types of light, day and night. Some pieces appear blue to people in the library, while reflecting orange to people on the street. A wall along the east side of the library reading room honors the work of children's book writer Beverley Cleary, who was raised in this neighborhood. Colored stone is used to render an abstract representation of the Hollywood neighborhood with highlights of some of Ramona Quimby's familiar stomping grounds, including the Hollywood Theatre, Rose City Library, Ramona's house, Grant Park and the Laurelhurst School. A bench designed for the children's area honors the late Janet Spencer Weeks. A playful assemblage of colorful "blocks" form a varied seating area for children, which is often used for story time.

The Bookmark Apartments offers a total of 47 units, including 1 studio, 2 split-level lofts, 33 one-bedroom units, and 11 two-bedroom units. There are 19 units (40%) provided to households at or below 60% of Area Median Income and the remaining 28 units are available at market rate. All residents have access to a generous landscaped courtyard on the south side of the building (above the library), and several units have private courtyard space or large decks on the north side, facing N.E. Tillamook Street. The Bookmark has been thoughtfully designed to offer a unique living opportunity in the Hollywood neighborhood.