Overlook

Overlook is a popular slice of northern Portland that balances a quaint suburban feel with an industrious footprint, along the Willamette River.

The space that makes up present-day Overlook was among the original land claims chosen by settlers to the Portland area in the 1840s. Additional residential development took off in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Interstate Avenue, a thoroughfare birthed in 1916, was a catalyst for commercial development that subsequently helped spur a housing boom.

Many of the homes in Overlook date back to that early 1900s era. Others were midcentury builds, and there are more modern options as well, built in the 1990s and later. Thus, you’ll also find a cornucopia of home styles in the neighborhood — a classic Cottage on one block, a neat Craftsman on another and a true Mediterranean on yet another. A common denominator is that Overlook’s residential arteries are lined with greenery, adding to their cozy feel. And individual lots feature at least a bit of lawn space.

The Portland Public Schools district covers Overlook. Beach School, a prekindergarten through fifth-grade institution that offers both dual-immersion Spanish curriculum and English-only instruction, is within the neighborhood. One of the programs supported at Beach School is the Right Brain Initiative, meant in part to help foster creative thinking.

Among the multiple benefits of Overlook’s residential area is the multiple parks located there, accessible on a morning or afternoon walk from home. The most expansive is the 11-acre Overlook Park, in a southern corner of the neighborhood. Not only does Overlook Park include multiple athletic fields, a basketball court and a playground area, but it also provides prime views of downtown. Overlook Park is right near the historic the Historic Overlook House as well, a stately brick cottage that was built in 1928, was later donated to the City of Portland and now can be booked for weddings and other events.

Another sizable park in Overlook is Madrona Park, which stretches 9 acres, with a playground. The park was named after a historic madrone tree there.

North Interstate Avenue is still a hotspot in Overlook, lined with places to eat, and other businesses. A couple of notable spots are neighbors, at the intersection of Interstate Avenue and Shaver Street: Alibi Tiki Lounge and Pinky’s Pizza. Established in 1947, Alibi is one of the oldest tiki bars in the nation, with a can’t-miss neon sign outside, a tropically themed interior and drinks that match the vibe. Pinky’s Pizza is where you can scarf down slices of a custom pizza and wash them down with a drink from the restaurant’s whiskey bar.

Or, for a caffeine infusion, you can head north to The Stacks, located on Killingsworth Street, off of Interstate Avenue. The coffee shop includes its own library, inspired by the library at the University of Texas, where one of the owners’ mothers worked. The Stack also has a menu of hearty breakfast tacos. Blend Coffee Lounge is another option, down the street, serving not just coffee, but also pastries from Portland’s Posies Bakery.

Grocery shopping near Overlook can be had at New Seasons Market or at Fred Meyer superstore, both located on Interstate Avenue. The western portion of Overlook, closer to the Swan Island Basin, is mostly industrial and commercial, home to multiple warehouses used by companies from UPS to Adidas.

Speaking of Adidas, the company not only has warehouse space in Overlook but also its North America headquarters, in a 525,000 square-foot office complex.

Downtown Portland is conveniently accessible from Overlook via the Max Light Rail Service, or by car on Interstate 405.

Written By

Wayne Epps Jr.

Photography Contributed By

Tim Acock

Video By

Ellie Brown