Grand Central Bowl — Renaissance via Retail
Posted by: josh | From: November 28, 2005
Grand Central Bowl stands empty. Where bowlers once rolled on 28 lanes, dust now settles on the pins. This spot was active for most of the 20th century, originally as a public market in the 1930s and '40s, and then as the bowling alley you and I know from the '50s on.
But Grand Central has a future. Concept Entertainment Group, the folks that brought you the Gypsy, the Lotus, and Barracuda, have bought the building. Why should you be excited that the owners of these meat-market-frat-boy nightspots are the new owners of Grand Central? Because they plan to make it awesome.
They're going to restore the exterior of the Grand Central Public Market, revealing the original large arched windows visible in historic photographs, long covered by metal siding. They're going to create about a dozen retail spaces around the exterior. And they're going to tear out about half the lanes, and put in a restaurant and two bars, creating a spot for more than just bowling.
I think a development like this can be an anchor for a revitalization of the whole neighborhood. Outward-facing retail spots are a huge improvement over the solid, monolithic quality the building has now. And let's not tear up over the loss of a few lanes — 28 was pretty excessive to begin with.
Read more and see the development brochure at Urban Works Real Estate. Grand Central Market is planned to open in early 2007.
There's condos on that map they have --- where's Jack Bog?
Me, I notice the map says they are "in negotiations" with tenants like Voodoo Doughnut. I'm trying to imagine having a Voodoo like five blocks from my apartment.
Posted by: The One True b!X at November 28, 2005 10:40 PM
While opening the exterior up to shops and bringing back the arched windows is probably a good idea, I'd prefer a full-fledged bowling alley to an alley/fancy-schmancy bar hybrid. It's not a sport that goes well with high-heels and high-balls. And it would probably have to be all-ages during daylight hours. I think the plan could work if McMenamins was taking over the alley but the owners seem to be aiming more for the Doug Fir.
Posted by: Brandon at November 29, 2005 2:54 PM
I'm pretty sure the old Grand Central Bowl bar was easily the BEST BAR IN ALL OF PORTLAND. Very small. Lots of lotto machines. Bottles of Bud in the shape of a bowling pin.
BEST BAR IN ALL OF PORTLAND.
I can't believe that building was once as beautiful as it is in that picture. Several buildings on the block have that "monolithic" look, and I can only imagine the renovation doing positive things for the neighborhood's overall vibe.
Posted by: Andrew V Peterson at November 29, 2005 10:37 PM
I think there are enough McMenimin's in Portland, you know? They do their thing real good, but I say let someone with a less-hippie design style try and make a place. I'm not a huge fan of the venues of Concept Entertainment Group, but this is a really exciting project!
Posted by: Mikey at November 30, 2005 1:39 PM
It's great that you posted this! I've been spending a lot of time at Emily's apartment (at the lovely Melcliff) because of a certain problem which has developed at my own abode. Her window affords a splendid view of the old Grand Central bowl, and I was just today marveling at the transformation of the façade, which seemed to take place over night. They just started peeling off that white siding like the tawdry wrapper of a delicious candy bar, and the sweet, chocolatey goodness inside was revealed...
Posted by: david at December 9, 2005 6:50 PM
I used to work at Grand Central Bowl, how does it look now? I can't see it myself now that I moved away :(
Posted by: Ali at August 13, 2007 11:40 AM
More gossip re: The Bowling Alley: I heard from our neighbor -- Leo Rivera, owner of Bishops Barbershop -- that they hope to showcase live music there, too and make it a rock n' roll bowling alley. Not sure what this means and/or if it will actually happen, but if it's anything like THE GARAGE in Seattle (where we used to live) it promises to be great.
Speaking of development, 22nd and Alberta is heating up: A group of us all opened within the last 4 months, come check it out (we heart NE PDX!)
**OFFICE - design store and art gallery (shameless self promotion here), currently showing art curated by Jason Sturgill of The Wurst Gallery - "employee of the month"
**BISHOPS BARBERSHOP - fifth location, you know the drill
**BOLT - awesome fabric store, lots of vintage inspired goods!
**CLOSE KNIT - neighborhood yarn shop...cute, cute, cute!
Posted by: KELLY from OFFICE at November 28, 2005 10:18 PM