Portland's Pearl District. It's all here: mixed-use buildings, sidewalk seating, bikes, street trees, public art...
...and the streetcar. In short, great urbanism! This may be the most recognizable urban corner in the country.
The North Loop in Minneapolis is good urbanism, too, but lacks quality streetscaping and a streetcar, among other things.
First, the fundamentals. The Pearl District adhered strictly to the grid - 200 by 200 foot blocks. Very walkable.
The grid in the Pearl District has been heavily invested in, and is intended for the streetcar, bikes, pedestrians, and cars. Even trees! Bravo!
The Pearl District grid is obsessivley adhered to, even if just for pedestrians. This one has very clear, direct, wide pathways for us to walk (if we are so inclined).
Some even have places to sit and enjoy the peace away from busy streets.
A view of the Pearl District
Crosswalks are well marked and many Pearl District streets are narrow and easy to cross.
In the North Loop, long blocks were broken up by these streets, recreating the grid. Still, the street seems more like a place to park cars.
The sidewalks aren't even straight, a Joe Urban faux pas. This is not inviting to the pedestrian. Nice and leafy, but not intuitive or direct.
This walkway in the Tower Lofts is perhaps the coolest feature of the North Loop. It provides a pedestrian connection between streets - helping imrove the walkable grid, something sorely missing in the area. However, it was entirely the developer's idea.
Jamison Square, the first of several parks planned in the Pearl District.
Even on a 45 degree day in winter, the park is a popular destination - a valuable amenity for any city
There is no Jamison Square in the North Loop, and that is really too bad. This is Gold Medal Park in the Mill District, a park born not out of a plan, but rather a rich donor and a land lease.
The Pearl District Safeway, a full-service grocery store served by transit.
The North Loop has a couple smaller grocers, but lacks a full-service grocer.
In the Pearl District, even old loading docks from prior uses are smartly renovated and made accessible...
...including bike facilites
North Loop loading docks still await renovations
Block after block in the Pearl District is attractive to the pedestrian.
This hotel near the Pearl District addresses the urban context well with ground floor rooms with walk-out terraces, while still maintaining separation from public realm.
North Loop apartment building with suburban-style single entrance, similar to the hotel next door - not well adapted to urbanity
These Pearl District residences are probably my favorite - they certainly beautify the city.
And these across the street also are quite lovely. Great facade, large private terraces delineated from an equally attractive public realm.
The entire length of the sidewalk in this Pearl District image is interesting - windows, entrances, trees - a high-quality public realm, not to mention attractive architecture.
A variety of residential and mixed-use building types frame a pedestrian walkway that leads to Jamison Square.
Ahh, the Pearl District. Quality building massing and design with an attractive public realm to match. This stuff is no accident.
The North Loop has its share of attractive mixed-use buildings...
... as I see a small store, sidewalk seating, trees, etc.
This is the other side of Heritage Landing in the North Loop. A very nice building overall, but the public realm is somewhat lacking, as the street is pretty wide and there are no street trees, or much else, for that matter.
River Station in the North Loop is again a pretty good looking building, with individual entrances. Notice the trees are on private property, and not in the public realm.
Both the public realm and building facade are lacking at this North Loop building. The ivy isn't enough. Individual unit entrances and a shred of streetscaping would be helpful.
Attractive new housing in Minneapolis, but a public realm with much to be desired - where are all the trees!? Notice any greenery is on private terraces, not in the public realm.
Renovated historic structures in Minneapolis but no streetscape to match.
These Minneapolis townhomes are OK, please forgive the snow!
These North Loop townhomes, on the other hand, are gated off from the neighborhood, and cut off the North Loop from the Mississippi Riverfront. An urban travesty.
David Frank's (Schafer Richardson's) 710 Lofts in the North Loop. Notice the design that addresses its surrounding urbanity and the nice historic-referencing brick facade...
...and the Bookmen Stacks, located one block away and approved on the same day. No brick facade required, much less any urbanism. The building raises its middle finger at the public realm, which doesn't give much in return. The result is a street nobody wants to walk down. Why do we let this get approved!?
Streetscaping leaves a whole lot to be desired in this North Loop picture. Ouch!
In the North Loop, a gas thingy is, as David Frank notes, placed at the dead center of the sidewalk (note the yellow barriers so cars don't hit it, but a pedestrian could still run smack into it!)
The 710 Lofts in the North Loop do an OK job. The private terraces enhance the public realm, but the sidewalk is too narrow and a grass boulevard is more appropriate in a less dense residential area.
Meanwhile in the Pearl District, a lovely streetscape. Boulevard trees (no grass required), a suffciently wide sidewalk, and clear division of public and provate realm, while keeping things attractive in each.
Very attractive "front yard" of Pearl District condo
Even a garage door doesn't overtly interrupt the pedestrian experience - you hardly notice it's there!
This North Loop private terrace is quite nice, too.
North Loop front yards are similarly well done, although the tall security gate may be a bit much
A private courtyard in the Pearl District is quite nice.
This North Loop courtyard is equally nice...
...if not better. Who wouldn't want to hang out here?
Just like the Pearl District, very nice private space here between 710 and 720 Lofts in the North Loop, but completely at the discretion of the developer
This is the view from my hotel in Portland. How can you beat this?
I waited 10 minutes for the streetcar to come...the price urbanists pay for good photos! Can't wait to go back!
