2281 Glisan Street is a mixed-use building located in the heart of the Alphabet District, one of the oldest retail and residential neighborhoods in Portland. Built for a local developer and proprietor of a national tile and stone supplier, the structure combines commercial spaces on the lower three floors with a multi-level residence and roof garden above.
Collectively, 2281 Glisan is a simple, elegant and contemporary urban building of stone, glass and stainless steel mesh. A side setback for parking and loading access allows for uninterrupted light and views to the south and east. The composition of surfaces on these facades—solid, screened and transparent—presents a unified exterior expression while negotiating diverse interior functions. Within the residence, a minimal palette of wood, plaster and stone create a neutral field for the client’s art and furnishings. On the main floor, the open plan flows around a central hearth, with living room, terrace, dining and kitchen following the open facades; above, a master suite and multi-level roof terrace provide a quiet refuge and place to view the city and the West Hills beyond.