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the Gerding Theater at the Armory
The vision began in 2002 when the Portland Armory Annex was the last piece in the Brewery Blocks development puzzle that Gerding Edlen Development was looking for a solution to. Many things were considered, but when Mayor Vera Katz and Artistic Director, Chris Coleman agreed that it would make a fantastic home for Portland Center Stage, Bob Gerding stood behind the concept and personally drove the effort to make it a reality.
Originally built in 1891, the building was reborn as the Gerding Theater at the Armory on October 1, 2006, with a community celebration and block party attended by a throng of thousands. Shortly after opening, the building was certified by the US Green Building Council as exceeding the requirements for designation as LEED Platinum (go to www.usgbc.org for more info).
During its first year as the home of Portland Center Stage, the Gerding Theater at the Armory was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, nominated for the Portland downtown Rotary Club’s Environmental Excellence award and the Portland BEST award for green building. It was also recognized by Forbes magazine as among the top 12 green buildings in the country. Alongside the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, the Gerding Theater at the Armory received honorable mention from the American Institute of Architects Council on the Environment’s Top Green Projects awards. In April 2007 the Urban Land Institute selected the Gerding Theater at the Armory from among 170 nominees spanning two continents for its Award for Excellence, the Americas.
what people are saying…
“It is a quintessential Portland project – ambition and idealism packaged in something old – a champagne version of what might be called the “Bottle Bill Era” of Portland architecture.” — Randy Gragg, The Oregonian
“…a sparkling showplace of leading edge technology and responsible building practices…” — Eric Bartels, Portland Tribune
“Portland Center Stage’s new home, carved out of the city’s old armory building, is a wonder.” — Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal
“Inserted within the shell of a national landmark Armory saved from the wrecking ball, PCS’s “ship in a bottle” facility serves as a distinctive vessel for the arts that is quintessentially Portland. In the end, the Gerding Theater at the Armory is a shining example of an American regional theatre finding relevance in the life of its particular community.” — Keith Gerchak, American Theatre
tours of the new Gerding Theater
Tours are on first and third Saturdays of the month at 10:00 am, 10:45 am and 11:30 am. They are free, but you must have a ticket. Tickets are available at the PCS Box Office the day of the tour.
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