Block 216 was designed by Portland-based architecture firm, GBD Architects and is the largest building by volume constructed in Portland since the U.S. Bancorp Tower.[2] Walter Bowen / BPM Real Estate Group was the developer.[3][4]
The building under construction in 2021
The Alder food pod with dozens of vendors, Portland's largest, closed in June 2019.[5][6] The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 12, 2019.[7] A grand opening was scheduled for August 15, 2023.[8]
In March 2024, general contractor Howard S. Wright filed a $26 million construction lien against the project.[9] The real estate brokerage Colliers said the completion of completion of the 11W and Block 216 projects "marked the end of downtown Portland's pre-Covid speculative office building construction".[10]
Ritz-Carlton manages a hotel (the first in the Pacific Northwest),[11] as well as condominium units in the building's upper floors. The lowest seven floors comprise 158,000 square feet (14,700 m2) of office space;[12] one major tenant is the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine, who will occupy 19,100 square feet.[13][14] Packouz Jewelers[15] and Rolex will reportedly occupy retail storefronts.[16]
Flock is Block 216's ground floor food hall with indoor and outdoor seating for approximately 130 people.[17] The space accommodates ten vendors, including one designated for hosting pop-ups.[18] The approximately 8,000-square-foot food hall was designed by Woodblock Architecture.[17]
The company operating Flock received a $3 million loan for the project from Prosper Portland, following approval by the board of commissioners in 2023.[19] Flock was slated to launch with the following nine BIPOC-owned businesses:[18][20][21]
Artly Coffee, which serves coffee and other drinks via robots
Originally scheduled to open in November 2023, Flock experienced a series of delays opening.[24][25] In March 2024, Eater Portland reported that Kim Jong Grillin' and Sun Rice had pulled out of the project, and no opening date for the food hall has been announced.[26] In April 2024, the website's Brooke Jackson-Glidden reported that Pan Roast planned to open in Flock in May.[27] In July, Axios Portland said an August opening might be possible.[28]
Following a preview event on January 30, Flock opened on February 2, 2025. The opening included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a lion dance to commemorate Lunar New Year.[25] In addition to Birrieria La Plaza, Prime Tap House, Queen Mama's Kitchen, and ZabPinto Thai Kitchen, the food hall opened with the following vendors:[24]
Flock is slated to host events, such as viewing parties for the Super Bowl and a Portland Trail Blazers game in February 2025. The winery Nest and Vine is also slated to become a vendor.[25]