The Neighborhood
Outstanding food, fun, and more await you in the Pearl District.
Formerly occupied by light industry, warehouses, and railroad classification yards, the Pearl District has been undergoing urban renewal for more than four decades. Today, it is one of Portland’s most well-known neighborhoods. The Pearl District is bordered by Old Town Chinatown, Downtown, Goose Hollow, and the Willamette River, offering the ideal location for luxury senior living in Portland.
Enjoy your new neighborhood filled with unique boutiques, art galleries, cute coffee shops, and trendy restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of green spaces, parks, and other outdoor areas to relax in. Cobblestone streets and loading docks are subtle reminders of the Pearl District’s past.
There’s always something to do in the Pearl District. First Thursday is when art galleries open after hours, and local artists come together to showcase their pieces. If you’re a craft beer lover, the neighborhood has no shortage of craft breweries. Vintage shops offer large selections of apparel and collectibles. You’ll even find an indie-pop record store carrying a wide selection of vinyl records.
Neighborhood Highlights
![Stacks and stacks of colorful books with a lazy cat sleeping on top of a stack of books.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Watermark%20at%20The%20Pearl/Powells-Books-790x540.jpg)
Powell’s Books
Book aficionados will undoubtedly want to visit Powell’s Books, which is believed to be the world’s largest independent bookstore. Founded in 1971, Powell’s Books is a beloved Portland landmark. The massive three-story store is an entire city block encompassing almost 70,000 square feet. You’ll find more than one million titles in 3,500 sections. Fortunately, Powell’s offers a detailed color-coded map to find your way around all the rooms, so you don’t get lost!
![Two western grebe birds floating on a pond in the Tanner Springs Park in Portland, Oregon.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Watermark%20at%20The%20Pearl/Tanner-Park-790x540.jpg)
Tanner Springs Park
Tanner Springs Park is a stunning urban park located in the heart of the Pearl District. Its sustainable, wetland-inspired design incorporates stormwater in innovative ways, creating a sort of refuge for people and wildlife in Portland. The plants you see are native to the Willamette Valley. Part of what makes Tanner Springs Park so unique is the design process. Residents were invited to public workshops to weigh in and share their thoughts on the park’s design.
![The Fountains at the Albemarle The Neighborhood - Tar River Players Performer on the stage. She is dressed in period costume. Stage interior of Theatre during performance at night.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Fountains%20at%20the%20Albemarle/Lifestyle/The%20Neighborhood/TarRiverPlayers-790x540.jpg)
Portland Center Stage
If you’re looking for performing arts, look no further than Portland Center Stage. It’s the largest theater company in Portland and in the top 25 of the largest theater companies in the country. Portland Center Stage performs at two theaters, both of which are located inside the historic 1891 Armory Building. Productions include a mix of classical, contemporary, and world-premiere productions.
![People viewing art and drinking wine.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Watermark%20at%20The%20Pearl/Lifestyle/art-wine-790x540.jpg)
Art Galleries in the Pearl
The Pearl District is renowned for its many art galleries. Each gallery offers a glimpse into the creative soul of the district. Late-night openings and new show receptions welcome art lovers and enthusiasts. Join in the tradition of First Thursday, a seasonal monthly celebration of art, wine, and community that transforms the streets into a festive gallery under the open sky.
![A warehouse against a blue sky.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Watermark%20at%20The%20Pearl/Lifestyle/Neighborhood/PPP-warehouse-640x600.jpg)
A History of the Pearl District
Railroad activity once dominated the Pearl District, especially after the Lewis and Clark Expedition. At one time, the area was primarily filled with train tracks, industrial sites, and gritty warehouses. During the 1970s and 1980s, artists noticed the area’s potential. They snatched up affordable studio spaces, encouraging other businesses to set up shop and revitalize the area.
Legend has it that the Pearl was named after Pearl Marie Amhara. Ms. Amhara was an Ethiopian missionary actively involved in the art scene at the time. Government interest in the Pearl District followed, leading to the River District Urban Renewal Plan and the exciting neighborhood you can call home today.
![The city of Portland with Mt. Hood behind it.](https://watermark-cms-stage.e-cubed.biz:443/Watermark/media/images/Communities/The%20Watermark%20at%20The%20Pearl/Lifestyle/Neighborhood/portland-city-1900x720.jpg)
What’s happening around the Pearl District.
Check out what’s happening in the neighborhood with live updates and events from art shows to concerts, entertainment and musical events, local festivals, and more.