Waterleaf Apartments are a welcome addition to Portland’s River Place neighborhood. Complete with ample outdoor amenities and tailored to families and individuals of all backgrounds, the affordable housing complex provides residents with a venue for taking the next step in life, whether it is growing a family, finding a new career, or reconnecting with active passions.
A layered base with contrasting light and dark brick masonry, paired with metal panels under exterior windows, cloaks Waterleaf with an impression of movement. The unique frontage is influenced and shaped by a streetcar track that runs directly outside the building. The structure’s curved façade plays up the sense of motion coming from the streetcar track on the curved corner, making for both a pleasant visual and a unique retail entrance.
Multiple design elements connect Waterleaf with its sister site, The Vera, both physically and thematically. Among these connections are the sunny, south-facing courtyard located between the two buildings. Linking the two structures and providing a community space elevated by plants, water features, and chessboard tables, the courtyard also connects to a transit station, encouraging residents to take advantage of the transit options that run right outside the two apartment complexes. Designed together, a shared color palette visually joins Waterleaf and The Vera, establishing the entire block they are stationed on as a cohesive location.
The sense of place and destination shared by Waterleaf and The Vera is further emphasized by the availability of commercial and retail space on the ground floor of Waterleaf. Designed for use by both small businesses and larger offices alike, the opportunities for commerce transform Waterleaf’s vicinity from a residential block to a neighborhood connected by an encompassing sense of community.
