Could they space out the floor plan in that front area, while they're at it? I'm pretty sure they have all kinds of cool magazines there, but I can never be bothered to elbow my way in to take a look past the people standing around reading them all cover-to-cover.

eww. no thanks

The art cube idea is great, for advertising $8.99 all you can eat buffets in Vegas.

DOES NOT WANT.

looks like a bank. with a spinning buffet cube.

And to think I was going to spare Powell's when I built the wall.

That design is downright hideous. It's like architectural cancer, and the "art cube" is the protruding tumor.
I'd like to keep my memories of the old Powell's facade the way it looks right now.
Why can't they leave well enough alone?
I've never heard any complaints about the current design of Powell's. It's a bit of beautiful old simplicity in an area that is being mowed down by new construction and futuristic designs. My question is WHY.
We really don't need any more gentrification and unnecessary change in NW than there already is. Cue the images of tacky dark green and pumpkin orange colored condos, concrete floors, ikea furniture, cone lighting, brushed metal fixtures, and grossly marked up area prices for this trendy "Sleek Faux Industrial Nouveau."
This soulless new trend is bound to crumble long before it's buildings will. The trend is destroying historic Portland, at least the part of it that is still standing. Portland at the moment is known for it's trains, bridges, history, books, it's old brick & mortar buildings and the general nostalgic feeling that it creates for it's inhabitants. So now possibly the most well known building in that area (Powell's) is going to be reviiiiiiiised by some minimalist d-bag that takes the same cold, robotic, starbucks-alike meat factory approach to every project he does.
Nothing is sacred anymore.
Can't some familiar and well loved historic city landmarks be saved the way they are or am I going to suddenly wake up one day soon and not even recognize the old city that I've lived, grew up in, and loved, my whole life?

Sigh. It's like we're a bunch of toddlers who'll get bored if the architecture doesn't do stupid tricks. Well with the economy being what it is maybe they'll decide not to spend the money.

while i agree with the sentiments that this design is really quite terrible, the land does belong to Powell's which has the right to do what they want. what does it say about your beloved history when the very institutions that created that history are the ones so willing to abandon it? maybe that history isn't so authentic after all, and we live in an evolving urban environment that continues to change. but boy does that design suck. hire a new architect, Powell's.

Please, please let Powell's know what you think:
miriam.sontz@powells.com

Oh, and the store will also be selling H&M clothing alongside books.

Fugly-ass!

Powell's Burnside store used to be a car dealership, which explains the long windows in the coffee shop (which, under current building codes, could no longer be built that way on new buildings). But, this new design looks like Powell's is transforming back into a car dealership, where the mag rack will soon host shining rows of brand new scooters and possibly Hummers.

Dear Michael Powell: wtf?