Safdie Architects, in collaboration with East Brown Cow, has proposed a new urban district for Portland’s Old Port. Spanning four acres, the project introduces a 380-foot tower, smaller commercial buildings, and renewed pedestrian connectivity across the fragmented site. The development, titled Old Port Square, seeks to integrate new uses while restoring the area’s urban fabric.
Site Background
Portland’s Old Port is known for its 19th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and waterfront character. However, urban renewal efforts in the mid-20th century cleared several historic structures, leaving the area with vacant parcels and an incomplete grid. Safdie’s proposal aims to reverse this fragmentation through a district-wide approach rather than a single-building focus.
“This isn’t about creating a singular icon,” said Sean Scensor, Partner at Safdie Architects. “It’s about knitting together what was lost and creating a vertical neighborhood that grows out of Portland’s historic grain.”
Key Features of the Project
Tower Height and Location
A 380-foot tower is proposed at 45 Union Street, making it the tallest building in Portland. It will surpass the 18-story Casco building completed recently.
Mixed-Use Programming
The tower includes a range of functions:
- A double-height glazed base housing lobbies and a café
- 9 floors of hotel rooms (approx. 90 rooms)
- 14 floors of residential units with one- and two-bedroom options
- A public sky lobby and restaurant at the top offering views of Casco Bay
Ground-Level Strategy
The tower sits on pilotis (slender supporting columns), allowing people to move freely at street level and preserving sightlines across the site. “By lifting the building, we preserve the pedestrian experience and invite people in,” Scensor noted. “We wanted to avoid creating a wall.”
New Structures on Site
In addition to the tower:
- A two-story timber-and-glass building at 55 Union Street will host 8,000 sq ft of retail
- Renovated historic buildings at 200 and 220 Middle Street bring back functional storefronts and updated interiors
Urban Design Approach
The masterplan centers on restoring Portland’s original block structure and pedestrian routes. The site, currently dominated by surface parking, will be reconnected through new walkways and open spaces.
Improvements include:
- Reintroducing pathways that link Middle Street, Union Street, and Fore Street
- Adding public seating and plazas to encourage walkability
- Upgrading streetscapes with coordinated materials and lighting
“The idea is to restore lost connections and re-establish a neighborhood feel,” said Michael Boucher, the project’s landscape architect. “We’re adding usable, welcoming outdoor space where there was none.”
The strategy focuses on integration rather than replacement, working with existing buildings where feasible and updating outdated infrastructure such as the Fore Street Garage, which will receive:
- Rooftop solar panels
- EV charging stations
- Retail additions at street level
Architectural and Material
Safdie’s design avoids historical imitation. Instead, it uses form and proportion to create a relationship between new and old. The tower does not directly reference traditional buildings but adopts the concept of the lighthouse — a vertical marker in the landscape.
Material and design principles include:
- Stone and timber bases transitioning into lighter materials like glass at upper levels
- Vaulted canopy at the tower top resembling maritime lanterns
- Transparent and open ground floor spaces
- Brick and glass used in adjacent pavilions to match nearby structures
“We were inspired by Maine’s lighthouses—not to replicate them, but to reinterpret them as contemporary architecture rooted in place,” said Scensor. “The top of the tower is like a lantern—an urban beacon.”
Landscape and Accessibility
Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture is leading the open space strategy, which will focus on:
- Creating shaded walkways
- Ensuring all areas are ADA-compliant
- Introducing native plant species suitable for Maine’s climate
- Designing pocket plazas to serve both residents and visitors
“It’s about designing for human scale,” said Boucher. “We’re creating moments where people can pause, meet, and enjoy the city.”
Broader Implications
The project reflects Safdie Architects’ long-standing interest in layered, mixed-use development. Known for works like Habitat 67 in Montreal and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the firm continues its focus on:
- Density without isolation
- Civic access to high-rise spaces (e.g., sky lobbies)
- Blending architecture with landscape
Old Port Square intends to be more than a commercial project. It’s structured to support local life — not just with retail and residences, but through public gathering areas and better pedestrian movement.
“This is Portland’s opportunity to imagine a future that feels authentic, layered, and inclusive,” said Scensor. “And that starts not with architecture alone, but with people, streets, and shared space.”
Conclusion
Old Port Square represents a contemporary approach to urban infill. By combining tall structures with careful ground-level integration, and new construction with restoration, the proposal attempts to repair rather than erase the past. The focus is on a connected, functional, and open neighborhood that reflects Portland’s evolving urban needs without disregarding its historic roots.
Image source- dezeen.com, archinect.com, designboom
