Northwest includes the Pearl District. There's the suggestion of both beauty and ugliness in the name—an elegant gem that was once nestled in a drab, rough shell. It is a fairly recent name for what originally was an old warehouse area. Beginning in the late 1980s, and peaking in the 2000's many of the existing warehouses, some on Brownfield sites, have been converted into stylish lofts, and new multi story condominiums have also been developed. The increased density has attracted a mix of restaurants, brew pubs, shops, and art galleries. First Thursdays are the days to meander through the galleries as they host opening receptions representing a multitude of artist and their work.
Pearl District - Portland Ground: Pictures of Portland Oregon - Used under Creative Commons License
Chinatown Gate
Between the Pearl District and the Willamette is Portland's old Chinatown neighborhood. Its entrance is marked by a pair of lions at the corner of NW 4th and Burnside, and includes the district along the Willamette River between Burnside and Union Station. Before World War II, this area also had a Japan Town.
Further west is the tiny NW 21st and 23rd Avenue neighborhood and shopping area. When Portland natives say Northwest, they often mean this area, which is also called Uptown, Nob Hill and the Alphabet District. This area has a mix of Victorian-era houses, apartment buildings from throughout the 20th century, and various businesses centered around Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. The Portland Streetcar connects this area to downtown. Matt Groening, creator of the longest running sitcom/animated series The Simpsons was born here. He seems to have found names for most of the Characters from The Simpsons from the alphabetical streets in this area - namely Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Powell (as in Homer's half-brother Herb Powell), Mayor Quimby, Kearney (the bully), and Terwilliger (Sideshow Bob's last name).
Another name commonly used for the area of Northwest Portland is Nob Hill, named after the San Francisco area. Some of Portland's trendiest shopping is here on ten blocks of Northwest 23rd Avenue between Burnside and NW Northrup streets.
Even further northwest lies part of what is known as Portland's West Hills, including the majority of massive Forest Park. To learn more about the neighborhood homes of the West Hills, click here!
