Old Town Celebrates Completion of $15.9 Million Renovation Project

Friday, July 10, 2015

Zach Middleton, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Portland's Old Town district will celebrate the completion of a major renovation project with a progressive party on July 23rd from 5-7 p.m.

Held in the new Erickson Fritz Apartments, the party will feature live music, food and drink, and will be free and open to the public.

The main cause for celebration is the newly-completed $15.9 million restoration of the Fritz Hotel and the Erickson Saloon into the new Erickson Fritz Apartments, which added 62 new apartments to the neighborhood.

A diverse group of sponsors will provide food and beverages for the event including, but not limited to, Alexis Restaurant, Ichiban Sushi, Voodoo Donuts, Pints Brewery, and Bull Run Distillery.

Originally, the Erickson saloon was started by August “Gus” Erickson in the 1880s. Featuring free lunches with the purchase of five cent beers and a massive 684-foot bar top, the Erickson Saloon was a Portland landmark for decades. After serving many other functions, the building was vacated in 2012. Renovation began in 2014 when the property was acquired by Innovative Housing, a nonprofit developer.

Erickson Fritz Apartments will house a “vibrant mixed-income community” in a selection of studio apartments and single-room units. Demand for affordable housing in the area is at extreme levels. Innovative Housing, who was responsible for the renovation of the building, says most of the units are already pre-leased.

Related Slideshow: Sneak Peek: Stag PDX To Open In Old Town

Sneak Peek: Stag PDX To Open In Old Town. Stag PDX offers a masculine, lodge-type setting to showcase skilled dancers. Stag PDX is also a local, gay-owned business made possible by the work of many in the community, from the designer to metal and leather craftsmen.

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Stag PDX offers a masculine, lodge-type setting to showcase skilled dancers. Stag PDX is also a local, gay-owned business made possible by the work of many in the community, from the designer to metal and leather craftsmen.

Photo by Byron Beck.