When the Hilton Hotels & Resorts decided to open the first West Coast property of their new lifestyle brand, Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District, they sought a design that would fit with the neighborhood and elegantly blend old and new.

Located in the heart of a revitalized industrial zone, ZGF-designed the exterior and provided interior planning for the 10-story, 153-room hotel to bring together local residents and hotel guests to celebrate and experience the vibrant neighborhood’s many offerings, including boutiques, art galleries, microbreweries, green space, and eateries. The hotel’s design acts as a bridge between old and new neighborhood structures and purposefully incorporates a palette of exterior materials that complement the Pearl District’s freight and warehouse past.

The exterior takes its cues from nearby structures. Folded sculptural concrete planes signify entrances, provide cover, and add variation in the framed openings at the base. Custom print aged-bronze finish aluminum panels on the façade alternate with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to create dynamism and reflection; and the panels themselves serve as a piece of art, appearing to change their golden hue with the daylight. Large, expansive windows at the street level allow for activity in the hotel’s shared spaces to carry out to the sidewalk.

Inside, a day-light winter garden, featuring skylights and vegetation expanding vertically, functions as a center-piece of activity and brings light into the subterranean conference facility as well as lobby, bar, and café areas. Retractable glass walls open café seating to the sidewalk, extending the hotel into the neighborhood, and offering pedestrians unobstructed views into the building’s heart. Local art is infused throughout the hotel’s public areas and act as an extension of the vibrant art galleries located nearby. The gallery space, complete with seating and work areas, and an art wall behind reception showcase local artisans and celebrate the history of the city.

Further enhancing the guest experience, a rooftop fitness center and an outdoor terrace offer stunning views of the city and Cascade Mountain range. An Ecoroof serves to filter storm water, while a trellis structure offers shade for guests in warmer months. The hotel achieved LEED Gold certification.