Pavilion is centerpiece of PAM's $111
million campus transformation to expand and upgrade the
museum.
PORTLAND, Ore., July 24,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Portland Art Museum
(PAM), in collaboration with leading developer and builder,
Mortenson, hosted a "topping out" ceremony yesterday to celebrate
the completion of the steel structure for the Museum's new Mark
Rothko Pavilion. Opening Fall 2025, the Pavilion is the centerpiece
of PAM's major $111 million campus
transformation that will renovate or add nearly 100,000 square feet
to the Museum and add new visitor amenities that address the needs
of more diverse audiences.
"This project is incredibly special on so
many levels, not the least of which is the opportunity to expand
such a culturally important destination for Portland," said Mike
Clifford, Vice President, General Manager of
Mortenson.
During the ceremony, the top roof beam was placed for the nearly
22,000 square-foot pavilion, which will provide a new transparent,
welcoming "front door" to the Museum. Guests were invited to
commemorate the event and had the opportunity to sign the beam.
Representatives from PAM and Mortenson shared comments about what
this project means for the community along with construction
highlights.
Designed for increased visitor accessibility, the glass Pavilion
will connect the Museum's two historic buildings—the landmark 1932
Main Building and the Mark Building, a former Masonic temple
renovated by PAM in 2005—creating streamlined circulation across
all four floors of gallery space. The pavilion is named in honor of
renowned abstract artist Mark Rothko (1903-1970) who spent his
childhood in Portland.
"Yesterday's topping-off ceremony was an inspiring moment for
the PAM and the larger Portland
community, marking an important step in realizing the vision of our
transformed campus," said Brian
Ferriso, Director and Chief Curator of the Portland Art
Museum. "The Museum is the anchor of our downtown cultural
district, and we look forward to being able to better serve our
audiences across the city and state, and to welcoming national and
global visitors to experience the work of artists from across the
region and around the world."
Spearheaded by Chicago-based
architecture firm Vinci Hamp in collaboration with Portland's Hennebery Eddy Architects, the PAM
campus transformation project is among the most significant capital
projects in the city and a catalyzing force in revitalizing
Portland's downtown core.
According to a 2023 study released by Americans for the Arts,
Oregon's nonprofit and for-profit
arts and culture sector accounted for 3.4% of the state economy and
its nonprofit arts industry alone generated $829 million in economic activity annually.
Upon completion in late 2025, visitors will encounter an
entirely reimagined museum experience with reinstalled galleries
and more intuitive pathways to encounter PAM's collection. The
renovation and expansion will feature a complete reinstallation of
the Museum's encyclopedic collection, which includes Northwest art,
Native American art, Asian art, American and European art, modern
and contemporary art, prints and drawing, photography, and new
media and film. The transformed campus will also provide areas for
visitors to rest, reflect, and gather with new outdoor terraces and
public plazas, as well as an expanded café and store.
"For more than 130 years, PAM has served as an essential
cultural resource and beacon of creativity in this region. We are
deeply grateful to our supporters across Portland and beyond as we embark upon this
monumental transformation," said Alix Meier
Goodman, Chair of the Portland Art Museum Board of Trustees.
"Thanks to the enormous generosity in our community, we can ensure
this museum will remain a source of joy, learning, and inspiration
for generations to come."
"This project is incredibly special on so many levels, not the
least of which is the opportunity to expand such a culturally
important destination for Portland," said Mike
Clifford, Vice President, General Manager of Mortenson. "The
intricacies of surgical-like demolition and the merging of modern
new construction with the historic buildings required meticulous
planning and precise skills. We could not have accomplished this
great progress so far without the museum's leadership and a team of
highly experienced construction professionals."
The museum and Mortenson recognize and thank all of the partners
that are part of this landmark project, including Urban Resources
Inc., Hennebery Eddy Architects, Vinci Hamp Architects, and the
many sub-consultants, trade partners and craftworkers that have
contributed. To date, Mortenson on-site craftworkers have worked
over 237,000 hours without an injury.
Event photo and b-roll download links
Campus transformation renderings
About Mortenson
Mortenson is a U.S.-based, top-20 builder, developer, and
engineering services provider serving the commercial,
institutional, and energy sectors. Mortenson's expanding portfolio
of integrated services helps its customers move their strategies
forward, ensuring their investments result in high-performing
assets. The result is a turnkey partner, fully invested in the
business success of its customers. Founded in 1954, Mortenson has
operations across the U.S. with offices in Chicago, Denver, Fargo, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake
City, San Antonio,
Seattle, and Washington, D.C. For additional information,
visit www.mortenson.com.
About Portland Art Museum
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Oregon is the only major art museum
between Seattle and San Francisco, showcasing the work of artists
from across the Pacific Northwest and the globe. A vital cultural
destination and educational resource serving audiences who live,
work and visit the region, PAM is internationally recognized for
its special exhibitions and encyclopedic collection. Connecting
audiences through the arts and engaging the stories and ideas
shaping our present day, the Museum's diverse programming reflects
the passions, values and creativity of its community.
Media Contact
Kelliann Amico, Amico (for
Mortenson), 1 5037056203,
kelliann@amicopr.com, https://www.mortenson.com/offices/portland
Ian Gillingham, Portland Art
Musuem, 1 503-334-6893,
ian.gillingham@pam.org, https://www.portlandmuseum.org
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SOURCE Mortenson