Pacifica Tower
- 1830 NW Riverscape St, Portland OR 97209
- Walkability Score: 59/100
- 8 Stories - Built in 2008
- Pet Policy: Dogs and Cats welcome with breed restrictions
Pacifica Tower Condos For Sale
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My Take on Pacifica Tower
by Stuart Stevens, Portland Condo Specialist
If you're looking for waterfront high-rise condo living in Portland you've got a few options, most notably the South Waterfront district and The Strand development along the downtown waterfront. Then there's the North Pearl with buildings like Waterfront Pearl right on the water, and other high-rises like Vista that offer great river views. But keep making your way up the Willamette and you'll also find Pacifica Tower, an 8-story building near Slabtown on the NW side. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a full-service high-rise, what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in location and character.
About Pacifica Tower & The Neighborhood
Pacifica was built in 2008 and sits directly on the river's edge, which means that for a lot of units you've got the Willamette as your front yard. Two elevators serve the building and there's a secured underground parking garage. It's not a huge building and it's not a flashy one, but it has a tight-knit feel that a lot of my clients appreciate. The words I use to describe it most are "intimate" and "private." It's kind of on its own in a residential area of townhomes in a less busy part of the city. It also doesn't have that transitory hotel feel that some of the larger buildings have.
The building does not have a lobby attendant, and I understand a lot of my clients want that for security. But it does have a secure entry, an intercom system, and a building management team through KIN Living that handles day-to-day operations. And it's not in a busy spot that strangers will try to follow you into the building as much as they might in the Pearl or Downtown.
Pacifica feels kind of isolated but it's really not. And that feeling is part of the appeal. You can walk to all the great restaurants and galleries around Slabtown/NW 23rd pretty easily. The building has direct access to the esplanade, so you can walk or bike all the way to Tom McCall Waterfront Park without having to traverse the city streets. Dog owners will feel right at home here too. The riverfront path being right outside gives the building a relaxed, outdoorsy vibe that's a nice contrast to the urban intensity just a few blocks away.
Frankly I think this stretch of NW Portland has held up better than a lot of the inner city when it comes to the quality-of-life issues that have frustrated residents in the Pearl and Downtown proper. It's not perfect, but it's noticeably calmer and cleaner. If you like the South Waterfront but it feels a little too sleepy then give this building a look.
Let's Talk About the Condos
So that's the building, now let's discuss the actual condos. Pacifica Tower has a good range of options from compact studios in the 539 to 654 square foot range all the way up to two-bedroom corner units at nearly 2,000 square feet. I love the original 2008 finishes and they've held up well. The developers went with an edgier slightly-loft style, so you'll find 10-foot ceilings, concrete pillars, wood floors, gas fireplaces and modern kitchen cabinets. The penthouses on the eighth floor step up to eleven-foot ceilings, and you notice it immediately when you walk in. Seems like a small difference but it really makes the space feel bigger.
The balconies are a big part of the appeal here, and they make the most of the river and city views. I especially like the corner units with the wrap-around balconies. Even the smaller studio and one-bedroom units come with usable outdoor space. The ground floor units have big outdoor spaces that could almost serve as a small back yard in some units.
After deciding what size unit you need, it's time to consider the view and orientation because it really matters here. You'll notice a pretty big difference on the price per square foot for similar-sized units based on the view. River-facing units, particularly those on the upper floors facing east or northeast, get wide-open Willamette River views and pick up the Fremont Bridge and city skyline. Those typically go fast and for a higher price. But if that view is not essential for you, you can get the same condo with the same high level of finish and big balcony for significantly less with a view of the West Hills. Either way if you want the best views I'd encourage you to look for something on the fourth floor or higher as there are townhomes and apartment buildings on three sides of Pacifica Tower.
Popular Floor Plans at Pacifica
The studios are a great way to get a small place in a quality building. They still have the nice finish and floor-to-ceiling windows which make them feel larger than they are. The third-floor studios in particular offer a nice mix of a good price and an outdoor balcony with partial river views.
The one-bedrooms in the 793 to 809 square foot range are the workhorse of the building. The river-facing one-bedrooms are especially popular, and the ones on the upper floors move quickly when they come available. The layout is efficient with big rooms and windows, so again the design makes them feel bigger than they are. And you get the same nice kitchens and baths as the bigger units.
The way the building is shaped offers a lot of corner units, and most of them are the two-bedroom, two-bath floorplan. Most of them are around 1250-1300 square feet which might sound small, but the layouts are really efficient and don't have wasted space in hallways like some buildings. I also like that they have defined dining areas instead of lumping the living/dining area together. The standout though is the corner wrap-around terrace that makes the view better in any direction. And when you walk in one with a view of the river and Fremont Bridge, well that's one of the best reveals in any building in the city. It never gets old.
I mentioned those first floor units with the outdoor space earlier. A good example is unit 107, which is a ground-floor two-bedroom corner with 1,371 square feet and a private fenced patio of around 650 square feet. It even has its own exterior gate that opens directly to the riverfront path, which gives it more of a single-family home feel than a high-rise. The last time it came to market it sold in four days at nearly full price. A lot of people like this building but they're waiting for the right unit, and when it comes up it doesn't stick around.
The top floor penthouses are the crown jewels. They clock in at around 2,000 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths (no three bedrooms here), eleven-foot ceilings, two covered decks totaling over 500 square feet, two deeded parking spaces, and panoramic views. These can sell for upwards of $1M, but when you see the views and then compare what that gets you in the Pearl you'll see the value too.
Amenities, Parking and Storage
There aren't really any amenities to speak of here compared to most high-rises but that helps keep the HOA dues lower. You will find a nice, welcoming lobby and beautiful landscaping. Parking is deeded in the secured underground garage, and most units come with at least one space. The two-bedroom and penthouse units often include two spaces, sometimes in a tandem configuration. Storage is available for most units but not all, so I always recommend confirming whether a specific unit comes with a dedicated storage space before you get too far down the road.
Pets are welcome with some breed restrictions. The building does not allow Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, or Canary Island Dogs, so if you have one of those breeds I can help you find a building that's more accommodating. This is a great building for dog owners though because of all the great places to walk just outside the lobby door.
This building has a lot of full-time residents which gives it that intimate, private feel. It's not a good building for investors. Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited, and for long-term rentals there's a cap that typically has a waitlist. If you think there's any chance your plans will change and you'll need to rent your unit out in the near future, this is not the right building. But if you're buying to live here, none of that matters and you're going to appreciate the strict rental cap.
Well, that's my take on Pacifica. I'm happy to discuss your specific wants and needs, and help you think through whether this building is a good fit. Reach out any time at 503-858-4089 or use the form below and let's talk about it.
Contact Stuart About Pacifica Tower
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