Located along Portland’s vibrant Alberta Street corridor, this project reimagines a deteriorated 4,000-square-foot automotive repair shop as a flexible, contemporary retail and office destination. Rather than replacing the existing structure, the design transforms its utilitarian shell into an active commercial building that strengthens the pedestrian experience and contributes new energy to the neighborhood.
The building was planned to accommodate either a single larger tenant or up to four independent commercial suites, allowing it to adapt to a range of retail, office, and service-oriented uses. Each suite includes a private mezzanine, adding usable area and creating a more dynamic interior experience within the compact existing footprint.
Large storefront windows bring natural light deep into the building while establishing a stronger connection between the interior spaces and the street. Warm wood detailing, textured exterior materials, dark metal accents, individualized entries, and integrated tenant signage give the façade a modern identity while maintaining a scale and rhythm appropriate to Alberta Street. The result is a thoughtful adaptive-reuse concept that extends the life of an underutilized building and creates flexible, welcoming spaces for local businesses.