Proposals presented for grand venue in Portland

Proposals to either renovate or replace Keller Auditorium , in downtown Portland, are now being considered.

Portland City Council on Wednesday accepted reports on three design concepts for a performing arts center project. Halprin Landscape Conservancy seeks to update Keller Auditorium while teams representing Lloyd Center or Portland State University want to construct a new facility.

Keller Auditorium, built in 1917 at 222 S.W. Clay St., has structural and operational issues, and the city is exploring how to proceed . The venue is Portland’5 Centers for the Arts ’ ‘workhorse’ and hosts Broadway productions, ballet, operas and more.

The facility hosts nearly 400,000 guests each year, said Robyn Williams, executive director of Portland’5. It’s the only venue in the region able to host large-scale theatrical productions like Broadway ones, she said.

“The Keller generates more than 50 percent of P’5’s total annual revenue,” Williams said. “What happens at the Keller is extremely important to the entire community.”

Crossroads Consulting Services of St. Petersburg, Florida, conducted a 2024 economic impact study that showed if the auditorium were to close for 24 months, lost output would total nearly $100 million.

The Halprin Landscape Conservancy proposal was previously heard by the City Council in September 2023. Also in 2023, the city and Metro partnered to conduct a solicitation for new performing arts facility proposals. Conceptual designs were submitted by the Lloyd Center and PSU teams for a new facility in their areas. In January, grants were awarded to those teams to develop their design concept reports.

The estimated total project cost of a Keller Auditorium renovation is $290 million. The Lloyd Center performance arts facility is estimated at $429 million, and the PSU performing arts facility is estimated at $447 million.

Potential funding opportunities for the project could include General Obligation bonds, dedicated tourism funding, state and federal funding, grants, philanthropy, and more.

Tim Eddy, founding principal and president of Hennebery Eddy Architects , said the proposed renovation of 3,000-seat Keller Auditorium would expand it from 151,000 square feet to 195,000 square feet. The project would incorporate an outdoor plaza to connect the building to Keller Fountain Park.

A full renovation of the seating area, stage, backstage area and orchestra pit would be completed, Eddy said. This work would provide universal accessibility in all spaces, safety improvements, sight line improvements, state-of-the-art acoustical design, and all new seating, lighting, finishes, and HVAC distribution.

The team is looking at a phased construction with pauses between performances such as “The Nutcracker” and Broadway shows.

The project team includes architect Hennebery Eddy Architects, landscape architect PLACE , structural engineer Grummel Engineering , entertainment design architect STUFISH Entertainment Architects of London, civil engineer KPFF Consulting Engineers , and general contractor Hoffman Construction .

The Lloyd Center project team envisions a place that is welcoming to all. The proposal calls for activation on all sides of the building, with the possibility of a mixed-use tower, an outdoor market, a black box theater, an additional theater, and more.

Tom Kilbane, managing director of owner/developer Urban Renaissance Group , said the new facility would be in the center of the Lloyd Center site and act as a catalyst for redevelopment in the Lloyd District. The project team envisions a deconstructed theater able to host indoor and outdoor performances.

All four sides of the facility would have open space, including Holladay Park on one side. The park and performing arts facility would work together to activate the neighborhood.

The project team includes architect and urban designer ZGF , theater planning and designer Fisher Dachs Associates of New York, civil engineer DOWL , and structural engineer KPFF .

Kilbane believes a new venue could open in about six years.

PSU’s proposal calls for repurposing Keller Auditorium possibly as a children’s museum and then constructing a 3,000-seat auditorium on a 4.25-acre parcel at 310 S.W. Lincoln St. Additional development would include an adjacent 1,200-seat auditorium, hotel and conference center, multiple restaurants and bars, flexible academic and community spaces, space for arts organization offices, and parking, which would bring the total cost up to approximately $676 million.

Bora Architecture & Interiors designed the project for PSU.

PSU would lease the 3,000-seat auditorium to the city for about $1 a year. The 1,200-seat auditorium would be owned by PSU. Construction would begin in 2027 and finish by 2031.

The city will now open a monthlong engagement period to gather feedback on all three designs. Outreach will be made to targeted stakeholders as well as the public. The aim is to share the results of those efforts at the July 31 meeting of Portland City Council.

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