More doors are opening at the Fifth Street Public Market expansion in downtown Eugene and drawing residents just in time for spring warmth.
The expansion project, which includes three new buildings housing apartments, a hotel, retail, restaurants and personal services, is in its final weeks before completion. With the new additions, the Fifth Street Public Market’s footprint is expanded to two blocks along East Fifth Avenue between High and Oak streets.
“One of the wonderful experiences in my life is the the creation, the vision, the idea of (the market),” said Brian Obie of Obie Cos., the market’s owner and project developer.
More:The 5th Street Market expansion moves ahead, taking challenges as they come
“This was a gravel lot and here it is, a couple years later. It’s become a significant part of the community, particularly for downtown as it’s evolved.”
What’s in the expansion?
The gravel lot in question is but a faint memory now with the towering project. The Gordon Hotel, named after Obie’s grandfather, is on the west side of the lot, perpendicular to the other two buildings that run parallel to one another to support the promenade’s covering, referred to as The Alley. The Gordon Lofts are situated on the north side and the remaining building, Makers’ Row, is on the south side, parallel to Sixth Avenue.
CAFE 541:Brian Obie’s Gordon Hotel blends artistry and hospitality in Fifth Street Public Market
The design of the expansion ushers people from the original Fifth Street Public Market through The Alley, passing 16 different businesses, to the ground floor of The Gordon Hotel, which will feature a tavern and speakeasy.
The Gordon Lofts feature 127 units and 19 fully furnished second-floor lofts for extended stays. Levels three through seven of the building host top-of-the-market, traditional leasing apartments. The units are spacious with open floor plans and lots of natural light.
The Gordon Hotel is an 82-room boutique hotel with standard rooms and luxury suites.
Construction nearing an end
The expansion began in February 2019 in the adjacent block of the Fifth Street Public Market along Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street. The $75 million expansion is hailed as the largest private commercial development ever in downtown Eugene.
The project completion was projected for September 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic and area’s historic wildfires in September. These challenges mostly presented delays with construction and deliveries.
Despite the hang-ups of the last year, Obie Cos. is optimistic about the final weeks of construction and the project overall.
“I went onto the Planning Commission when I was 30 years old,” said Obie, who is now 79. “There was a kind of a seminar that I got involved with that talked about urban villages, and that stuck with me. Hopefully, that’s what we created here.”
What’s open and operating?
Nike by Eugene is an athletic clothing, footwear and accessories retailer relocated to this new location at the corner of East Sixth Avenue and Pearl Street from Oakway Center. Nike is considered the “anchor” store in the expanded market building because of it being the largest store space.
Open in The Alley:
What’s still to come to The Alley?
The Basic Botanist is a new Pacific Northwest tropical plant store that has yet to launch.
Heritage Distilling is one of the largest craft distillers on the West Coast, providing a variety of whiskeys, vodkas, gins, aquavit and rums. Heritage began in Washington in 2011. Heritage Distilling also has a location at 110 Madison St. in the Whiteaker neighborhood.
Marley’s Monsters Eco Shop is a provider of reusable, eco-friendly products and baby goods. It is relocating from its current location on Sixth Avenue to The Alley.
Magpie Coffee Shop is described as the American counterpart café to Provisions Market Hall, a French-inspired café and home goods retailer, in the Fifth Street Public Market.
Pfeiffer Winery is a southern Willamette Valley vineyard established in 1983 offering exclusive wines sold only through its tasting rooms and wine club. The winery is at 25040 Jaeg Road in Junction City.
Terra Pacem is a new local winery working to provide working, learning and social community by and for people with disabilities.
What’s still under construction?
Carlita’s Rooftop is the restaurant and bar will be on the hotel’s seventh floor with separate entrances for hotel guests and other customers. Carlita’s specialties will be tacos, margaritas and other Mexican cuisine.
The Gordon Tavern is on the ground floor of the Gordon Hotel and will offer classic, American comfort food.
The District is a creative coworking space on the second and third floor of the market building, not the parallel loft building, which will house up to 200 professionals.
What’s still to come?
To be determined: There are still two tenants in The Alley on the ground floor of the loft building to be announced.
Contact reporter Dana Sparks at [email protected] or 541-338-2243, and follow her on Twitter @danamsparks and Instagram @danasparksphoto.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated include Euphoria Chocolate as one of 16 businesses in The Alley.