Formerly: The Equitable Building Built: 1947-1948 Designed by: Pietro Belluschi Type: Skyscraper Stories: 13 Maximum Height: 194 feet / 59 meters Location: 421 Southwest Sixth Avenue, Portland, United States
A nother grid-based box by modern standards; what this building has in spades is a history of innovation. It was the first skyscraper to use double-paned glass. Air conditioning helped make it the first sealed building America. It was the first to use a flush curtain wall design. It was the first to be clad completely in aluminum, and it is among the first to demonstrate what would eventually become an architectural paradigm – the glass block.
Only the first 12 stories are original. The 13th was added later.
1970's - The lobby is renovated, making it incongruous with the rest of the structure.
1982 - The building is honored with the American Institute of Architects 25-Year Honor Award.
1987-1990 - Soderstrom Architects works with the original architect to update the lobby and bring it closer to its original intent.
Nearby Important Buildings
KOIN Center - 222 Southwest Columbia Street, Portland
Matthew Sproul
Monday, April 11th, 2005 @ 1:26pm
Rating: Five stars. The Commonwealth is clad in aluminum and green glass. Thus it blends perfectly with the typically leaden Portland skies.
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Matthew Sproul
Five stars.