adaptive reuse

Mackenzie’s repositioning of the Harrison Building lobby reinvigorated and modernized the building’s sense of place and introduced a set of attractive tenant amenities. Before renovation, the only common area inside the building was a few chairs in the hallway. The design transformed former tenant space into an expanded lobby, inviting lounge spaces, and a coffee shop—all of which build identity and community. The design is a modern take on the building’s midcentury vintage, with wood paneling, lush fabrics, and exposed waffle slab ceiling elements. A series of visual connections link the...Learn more

Equity Residential contracted Mackenzie to rethink and refresh amenity space in the Harbor Steps development. The endeavor included two distinct projects: the repositioning of the northeast tower’s lobby and the creation of a new multipurpose common room on the 25th floor of the southeast tower. The projects resulted in new communal space with a sharp focus on the property’s incredible view of the Seattle waterfront and Olympic peninsula, nurturing community within the buildings and providing valuable connection to the outside world. The space on the top floor of the southeast tower, dubbed...Learn more

The 1010 Flanders project, a core and shell renovation in Portland’s Pearl District, transformed a historic building into a mixed-use hub with a new set of tenant amenities. Formerly called the Ballou & Wright Company Building, the property was constructed in 1921 as a warehouse and manufacturing facility for bicycle, motorcycle, and automobile parts. It’s listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, and designated as a Historic Landmark by the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission, underlining and codifying the importance of its preservation. Working carefully within the city...Learn more

The Iron Fireman building, right off the MAX Orange Line in southeast Portland, has a rich local history. Through an extensive renovation project, Mackenzie is bringing the building’s history—and its gorgeous period details—back to the surface. The restored building will not just reflect the neighborhood’s past, but is positioned to become an active influence on Portland’s burgeoning maker culture: things have always been made within the Iron Fireman’s walls, and while what’s manufactured has changed, the fact of making hasn’t. The building was constructed in 1924 for the Iron Fireman Company...Learn more

KOIN Tower is a downtown Portland landmark, and a striking part of the city’s skyline. Its interior, however, reflected a different era. When the building was sold, the new owners decided that it needed to be repositioned to provide what tenants are looking for in a modern Class A office environment. Mackenzie worked hand-in-hand with the brand strategists at Think Joule, and the building’s brand was comprehensively rethought. The renovation, as the physical illustration of this rethinking, thoroughly embraces modern Portland and refreshes what has long been an iconic downtown building. The...Learn more

Clay Creative was a major renovation project in the heart of Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District. The warehouse that formerly occupied the site was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 2006. Mackenzie utilized what remained of the old building, and the project has resulted in a catalytic new mixed use property that fits seamlessly in the cultural context of the neighborhood. The building’s juxtaposition of brick and wood—it’s supported by a heavy timber structural system—is a natural fit for a bustling industrial area full of historic warehouses. The operable windows are large,...Learn more

Ferguson Wellman, a leading regional financial management firm, enlisted Mackenzie to update their Portland headquarters. Balance was important: our objective was a forward-looking design that sustained traditional elements reflective of the company’s longstanding and successful culture, while embracing the future as new leadership naturally emerges in the firm. The new workplace needed to embody the traits that Ferguson Wellman value: stability, continuity, and clarity. A trend-chasing or revolutionary change in their workplace wouldn’t be in their best interest. Instead, Mackenzie...Learn more

Located at the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge, this landmark adaptive reuse project furthers the evolution of Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District. Mackenzie was tasked with transforming a historical building with several challenging existing conditions into world class software development center for tenant Viewpoint Construction Software. The developer charged the design team with delivering a highly efficient industrial office project (LEED platinum) at market rate within a restrictive budget. The firm provided comprehensive A/E services from concept design through...Learn more

Mackenzie was hired, as part of the firm’s continued relationship with Concordia University, to develop a project program, assist with evaluation of suitable existing buildings, and aid in site selection for new construction or renovation for a new law school and law library in Boise, Idaho. Upon completion of the program and selection of the site, work progressed into development of construction documents and construction of the three-story facility. The program includes lecture halls for 30-, 60-, and 100-person capacities. The scope of services included structural upgrades and tenant...Learn more

Mackenzie provided full A/E services, including tenant improvements, for the transformation of a blighted 1951 warehouse in Portland’s Central Eastside district into the LEED Gold-certified RiverEast Center. Designers’ goals were to create a high performing office development that retained the industrial nature of the existing structure; seamless integration into the surrounding industrial area; and maximized energy efficiency, minimized waste, and increased environmental quality. As part of the award-winning redevelopment, Mackenzie provided site and plaza design, which included an expansion...Learn more