“This truly unique project aims to provide an iconic response to the generic status quo of speculative office real estate in Portland today, with below-market rents aimed at smaller start-ups and companies that would not otherwise be able to afford space in a new construction mid-rise building.” Guerrilla Development
If you live in Portland, you’ve probably seen Tree Farm. Designed by Kevin Cavanaugh of Guerrilla Development, this six-storey mixed-use office building has a bright blue mural façade dotted with 56 strawberry trees. It’s located in Central EastSide, a gritty warehouse district, just a short streetcar ride across the Willamette River from downtown. The district boasts small-batch distilleries, coffee roasters, restaurants, designer stores, artist ateliers, an independent publisher and plenty of street art.
Another of Kevin Cavanaugh’s unique developments, The Fair-Haired Dumbbell, Is also in Portland’s Eastside. It consists of two separate six-story buildings structurally supported by mass timber sourced in the Pacific Northwest. The buildings are connected on each level by skybridges, and the entire façade is wrapped in a wild and colorful mural by Los Angeles artist James Jean. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, this was one of the first projects to raise funds using Regulation A crowdfunding.
Guerrilla Development’s many projects include Dr. Jim’s Still Really Nice, The Ocean, Burnside Rocket, Rig-a-Hut, Two-Thirds, and The Zipper. And two of those projects –Jolene’s First Cousin and Atomic Orchard Experiment – have reduced-rate units reserved for homeless people and social workers. And of course, these were crowdfunded too.
As a developer, Kevin wants his buildings to attract attention and to encourage people to live in that city. And he wants his buildings to make people happy. He is one of the most creative developers we know.
Have some fun and listen to my conversation with Kevin here.
Image courtesy of Guerrilla Development