Literary Arts Opens New Building on SE Grand Ave

After four decades as a cultural beacon in Portland, Literary Arts has a new home. The building opens to the public on December 7 and is named for Susan Hammer, a former Literary Arts board member and advocate for arts and culture in Portland. Her belief in the mission of Literary Arts resulted in a transformative $3 million gift to the organization to purchase the new headquarters. Grand opening day events at 716 SE Grand Avenue will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m., refreshments, and holiday shopping at the center’s independent bookstore.

“Creating an inclusive and welcoming center for our community, where people can gather to tell and hear stories and exchange ideas freely, has long been our dream,” said Andrew Proctor, executive director of Literary Arts. “Susan’s gift, and the generosity of many other donors, enabled us to purchase the building outright, continuing our investment in Portland, a city that has been our home for four decades.”

Originally built in 1904, the 14,000-square-foot building began as Strowbridge Hardware. During the 1970s, the façade was covered with concrete and the building became a furniture store; in 2018, new owners renovated the space. The building then sat empty until Literary Arts purchased it in 2022 and partnered with Bora Architects, O’Neill Construction Group, and Edlen & Co. to reimagine the space as the largest literary center on the West Coast. Both Bora Architects and Edlen & Co. donated their professional services to this project. 

“Throughout the design, we focused on how this building will be used by staff and those they serve — a diverse mix of readers, writers and youth,” said Amy Donohue, architect and principal at Bora Architects and Literary Arts board chair. “The result is a space that is welcoming for all, irrespective of age, income, race, education or geographical background — a true cultural hub in our community.”

The Bookstore at Literary Arts plans to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to manager Dustin Kurtz, it will be a general interest bookstore with a selection of 12,000 books catering to all ages and tastes, with a wide range of fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles. The store will also have larger collections in the specialty areas of design and architecture, poetry and writing craft. Proceeds from the bookstore will benefit Literary Arts.

In addition, the space will incorporate movable bookshelves to accommodate author readings and community events for up to 75 guests. The four-story building also features multiple classrooms for in-person workshops and classes, café seating, staff offices, and a recording studio for the radio show and podcast The Archive Project. A café serving coffee, beer and food will open at a later date.

“Literary Arts’ contribution to the cultural vibrancy in our region is significant,” said Jill Sherman, co-founder of Edlen & Co. “From early discussions visioning the potential of this historic building through project managing the design and construction, collaborating on the new Literary Arts headquarters aligns with our values to contribute to the quality of life in the communities in which we are invested. This project directly impacts the Central Eastside Industrial District and contributes to the ongoing revitalization of the urban core.”

The new Susan Hammer Center at Literary Arts was also funded in part by  The Campaign for Literary Arts, a $22.5 million investment to create a new space for the community to dream, imagine the future, become informed, and be engaged by stories from around the globe. The campaign will also fund the Ursula K. LeGuin Writers Residency, as well as include a sustainability fund to support the organization’s work and spaces for future generations.