25 NW Naito Parkway
The Bickel Block is a historic commercial building in Portland’s Old Town. Being near the waterfront this neighborhood was once one of the busiest places in Portland. Businesses wanted to be near the river so they could move products quickly. The waterfront was packed with ships, businesses, workers, and warehouses.
Although originally commissioned by Frederick Bickel, a candy-maker, the building’s first tenant was a machinery company that sold engines, boilers and other industrial equipment.
Unique Features
One of the most noticeable things about the Bickel Block is its detailed exterior design, especially the windows and ornamentation. Look carefully, you will notice that the window styles change from floor to floor, which shows how the building was designed to be used. The first floor was built for storefront businesses and public access, so it typically had larger openings. The second floor windows were often made to look more impressive, since that level was commonly used for offices and important workspaces. Higher floors usually have simpler window designs, with less decoration, because they were more practical spaces.
The building’s exterior also includes decorative architectural details meant to show craftsmanship and success. Around the windows and across the façade are decorative trim, repeating patterns, and scroll-like designs. These details helped the building stand out and gave it an image of stability and prosperity—important qualities for businesses in Portland’s growing downtown.
Today, the Bickel Block remains an important part of Portland’s historic Old Town streetscape. It helps visitors imagine what this area once looked like during Portland’s early development, when detailed commercial buildings along the waterfront showed the confidence and growth of the young city.
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Discussion Questions:
What designs do you see on the building facade?
Vocabulary: ornamentation, facade
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State Education Standards:
Visual Arts.7.RE1.3 Distinguish between different types of art and determine messages communicated. Responding-Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Visual Arts.8.RE2.3 Interpret art by identifying the mood suggested by a work of art and describing relevant subject matter and basic art elements. Responding-Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
Visual Arts 9.RE3.3 Use art vocabulary to express preferences about an artwork. Responding-Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.