Lloyd Center Reimagined
If you know anything about Portland, it’s likely you’ve been to, or at least heard of our long-standing mall: The Lloyd Center. Hassalo sits across the street from this behemoth of an urban property, and our residents are often seen wandering the mall corridors or patronizing the food court still operating on the third floor. Even though the average consumer no longer relies on in-store shopping, the mall itself is not completely catatonic. Portlander’s are resourceful, and a stream of small businesses and community networking events popped up in the bright, skylit space, allowing the Lloyd Center to remain open and utilized in the business drought after Covid. As times do, they are changing, and we may soon say farewell to the relic of Portland’s east side. It doesn’t have to be sad, in fact, there’s a whole new neighborhood being conceived in it’s place, and we are expecting the streets around our block to transform into a brand new community-conscious atmosphere. However, if you want one last skate, or hot pretzel, now is the time to strike.
How Did We Get Here?
The Lloyd Center opened in 1960, and hosts Portland’s first and only indoor ice skating rink. The original mall was built as an open-air shopping space, and converted into a traditional covered building through the 1980’s. In more recent years, many major department stores began closing their doors as online shopping took over. This left dozens of vacant spaces to sit empty. A wave of indie-small businesses were able to swoop in on the cheap rent and large store spaces to operate. Portland’s artists/makers began renting out the largest vacant stores for their Winter Markets, the perfect space to avoid the PDX rain and cold. Next, Lloyd Ec0-District opened a Lending Library for the community to offer event supplies, like folding tables, chairs, even a projector for outdoor movies, allowing folks to host their own local gatherings for free. The old movie theater that commanded most of the southside second floor has turned into a massive Pickleball Court, Jumbo’s Pickleball. The holidays keep the mall looking like it did in it’s 1980’s heyday. From markets in the vacant spaces, to a visit from Santa, to fake snow falling on the ice rink through December; it’s remained relevant and beloved for Portlanders and Oregonians alike. Unfortunately, this small business utopia is not sustainable long term, and is now facing a complete and total tear-down. While many will be sad to see the structure go, many more are curious and excited to see what is built in it’s place.
What’s To Come?
Last year, Monqui and AEG Presents slated the build of a brand new concert venue on the far south end of Lloyd Center. This involved tearing down what used to be a Nordstrom department store, and a sky bridge connecting Lloyd Center Tower to the mall. Developers have promised an early 2027 open date, and a venue capable of up to 4250 guests. Urban Renaissance Group bought the remaining bones of the mall and have finalized plans for it’s fate. While time will be the true measurement of progress, The Lloyd Center’s 29 acre expanse will be slowly torn down in phases to make room for new apartment living, restaurant and commercial spaces, as well as a dedication to green third spaces, privately owned, but publicly accessible. This will be in the form of a 2.3 acre urban park with nature paths and a dog run that will be cradled in the center of the new expanse. Plans show a Market Square Plaza for outdoor vendors and live music, along with a seasonal ice rink to keep Lloyd’s original charm. There’s also plans to intersect a public street through the middle of the current mall as it stands. This will allow more travel and access to the new neighborhood and surrounding businesses, offering an extra street attaching Multnomah to Weidler. Until then, Lloyd Center will officially be closing to the public sometime toward the end of 2026. Jumbo’s Pickleball and Tracker’s Earth will remain open through demolition since their structures are built externally from the mall. As a final extra, the Capitalism fountain at the mall’s entrance will be restored and running again when the music venue is finished.
Overall, this news is bittersweet, especially for native Portlanders. Many of us have memories of the grand fountains in the parking garage with jumping bronze salmon sculptures, or a nasty fall while overestimating our skills on the ice rink. The Lloyd Center has grown and evolved over the last nearly 70 years to the point it feels almost impossible to imagine our neighborhood without it. Although the plans for it’s future are exciting, and will change the shape of Lloyd permanently, the legacy of the mall will remain in the many residents and patrons who’ve watched it’s long evolution. Walls and parking garages can be demolished, but the charm, grit and unique Portland attitude of the Lloyd Center will stay embedded in it’s community forever.