Emmons Place is bringing 144 affordable housing units to the Alphabet District of NW Portland. The project is being developed by Northwest Housing Alternatives and Bremik Construction is the General Contractor. It consists of two buildings: Emmons Place North, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2023; and Emmons Place South, which opened in February of 2023.

Emmons Place South began with the renovation and remodel of the existing three-story Buck-Prager building and construction of a new four-story addition. The Buck-Prager is on the National Historic Register. It was constructed in 1918 when it originally served as the Women’s Hospital of Portland, and later as an arts school and offices. Construction began in 2021 to seismically upgrade the building and provide 48 dwelling units as well as community space, a light-filled courtyard, laundry, bike storage, and staff spaces for a variety of services available for residents. The existing masonry walls and floor framing were preserved in place and reused with a new foundation and lateral support system constructed around them. The historic nature of the building was preserved through the design of the entry canopy, locally crafted wood windows, and parge coating at the exterior of the ground floor level.

The project serves priority populations identified under the Portland Housing Bond, including seniors, veterans, Communities of Color, and individuals with disabilities, while providing deeply needed services and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people impacted by homelessness. Residents are served by Northwest Housing Alternatives’ onsite resident services coordinator, with additional services provided to seniors and PSH tenants by Northwest Pilot Project and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA).

The project’s location directly adjacent to downtown Portland, on mass transit, and trolley routes makes it an ideal location for provision of services, proximity to employment, social connections, and supports, as well as tenant enjoyment of NW Portland’s shopping, food, and parks. The project is currently being designed to Earth Advantage Platinum standards with mini-splits, energy star appliances, and fixtures, high insulation values, and green building materials.