Over the past few years, Americans have been moving out of cities, with about 900,000 people leaving downtown areas for more spacious living in the suburbs in 2021, according to the Atlantic. Some of the reasons include rising rents and home values, inflation, and the ability to work from home spurred by the pandemic. This is a concern for cities, who need residents for their tax base.
Many cities are combatting this exodus by emphasizing urban living, revamping downtowns to make them more enticing places to live. This involves improving public transportation, easy access to shops and restaurants, safety, and increased job opportunities. And a major part of revitalizing these cities to make them more walkable, is the increase of apartments and condominiums.
Apartments built 30 years ago tend to be stale and rather unimpressive visually. However, with this boom in urban living, we’re seeing mixed-use buildings that are both highly functional and strikingly beautiful. One fine example of this is the Oxbow 49 Apartments in the John’s Landing area of Portland, Oregon.
Designed by GBD Architects, this apartment complex has a fitness center, courtyard, eco-roof, and is in walking distance to shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The courtyard plays a vital role in allowing residents to escape the confines of their apartment to stretch their legs and socialize with others.
The landscape design firm of Shapiro Didway designed the courtyard using 24″ x 24″ Vancouver Bay architectural slabs from Mutual Materials. The consistent brownish tone of these latte slabs complement the brown and white siding of the apartment building providing a visually appealing space to relax. Outdoor grills and patio furniture were installed throughout the space to maximize it’s functionality.
Andersen Construction was the general contractor for the project along the Willamette River.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our architectural slabs can help with your pedestrian surfaces and roof decks, call us at 1-888-688-8250 to speak with a commercial hardscape sales representative.
Resources:
Why Are Americans Leaving Downtowns in Droves?
Citations:
- Oxbow 49 Apartments
- City of Portland, Oregon
- Mutual Materials
- Mutual Materials – Vancouver Bay Architectural Slabs
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