The Armory

The Armory in Portland's Pearl District is a striking building with Romanesque Revival architecture, featuring stone cladding, semi-circular arcades, turrets, and recessed arches across two floors. After a major renovation, it now houses two theaters and performance spaces for artistic productions.

The building was constructed in 1891 to serve the Multnomah County militia and functioned as an armory. It gained National Register of Historic Places status in 2000, recognizing its historical value.

The building now houses Portland Center Stage, where you can watch classical and contemporary theater productions. The two theaters inside have become central gathering places for the city's artistic community.

The interior is open to visitors attending theater and art performances or events throughout the year. It is helpful to check the Portland Center Stage website before visiting to learn about current shows and how to get tickets.

The building was redesigned after its restoration to capture rainwater and use natural ventilation - a rare example of environmental thinking in restoring a historic place. These features led to it earning Platinum LEED certification, an unusual achievement for an older structure.

Location: Portland

Inception: 1891

Architects: William Frederick McCaw, Richard H. Martin Jr.

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 2

Website: https://pcs.org

GPS coordinates: 45.52417,-122.68194

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45