Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lloyd Center was a $100 million, 1.2-million-square-foot project when it
opened in August 1960. (It was designed by architect John Graham,
who also designed Seattle's Space Needle.) At the time it was considered
a shining achievement in architecture, which is sort of astounding to
contemplate when you look at it today. Of course, this was before the
entire place was boxed in with a light-killing roof and, later, plastered
end-to-end in grayish-beige carpet. The original design was for an open-
air mall and community center, with fountains and sculptures amid the
shops, large windows everywhere, and of course the crown jewel, a skat-
ing rink. (This rink, by the way, is one of the places where bad-girl
Olympic figure skater-turned-boxer Tonya Harding used to practice.)
In old photos, Lloyd Center actually does look quite attractive, with its
water features and its airy spiral staircases lifting shoppers toward un-
limited retail delights. But the mall was sold in 1986 and renovated to its
present boxy status in 1990. (And by the way, in focusing on its terrible
aesthetics, we're overlooking the mall's previous crimes: its construc-
tion involved the razing of several residential blocks, and its popularity
helped sap downtown of its draw as a retail destination.) Love the skat-
ing rink, though.
Back away slowly from the mall, turn left on NE 15th Ave., and retrace
your steps up to NE Broadway to return to the walk's starting point.
BACK STORY: OREGON
CONVENTION CENTER
A few blocks southwest of the Lloyd Center mall is the Oregon Convention
Center, easily spotted from anywhere near the river by its twin green-tinted
glass spires. Opened in 1990 and renovated in 2003, the convention center en-
compasses almost a million square feet and covers the equivalent of 14-16
city blocks. It's owned by Metro (the regional government) and operated by a
Metro subsidiary called MERC (Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Com-
mission).
The convention center management prides itself on keeping the building
green and energy-efficient; in 2004 the OCC became the first convention cen-
ter anywhere to be awarded a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Build-
ing Council. It's filled with public art and interesting, practical features such
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