PacWest Center, Portland

PacWest Center is a 30-storey office tower completed in 1984. Rising about 127 metres, it forms a recognisable part of the central skyline. The building was designed by Hugh Stubbins & Associates and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, two firms known for large modern commercial projects. Its name came from Pacific Western Bank of Oregon, an early main tenant.

The exterior is defined by intersecting rectangular sections of different heights, creating a stepped silhouette rather than a single plain block. Aluminium panels imported from Japan give the façade its metallic grey appearance. The tower rises above a two-storey podium containing a central atrium lit from above and a landscaped terrace. In 1985, the design received an Honor Award from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Recent renovations have updated the entrances, landscaping, lobby, and ground-floor spaces while preserving the original architectural character. Although the upper floors are mainly private offices, visitors can study the building from the surrounding public areas and observe how its reflective surfaces change with the weather and daylight. Its scale, geometric form, and 1980s design make it an interesting feature for travellers exploring the area’s modern architecture.