Pearl District
Chic industrial artist community with upscale shops & dining.
Median Household Income
$104,093
Median Home Value
$485,000
Average Rent
$1,570
Walk Score
97
About the Pearl District
Chic and lively, Portland’s Pearl District is one of the city’s top destinations for shopping, art galleries, and upscale dining. This trendy metropolitan haven is located just north of downtown and is bounded by the Willamette River. Once a bustling industrial area, it has significantly transformed, becoming one of Portland’s most stylish neighborhoods. Many old warehouses and factories have been converted into upscale residential buildings, restaurants, and bars. New construction continues to expand the area, and green space projects keep it family-friendly, like Jamison Square’s wading fountain. The neighborhood is now home to a mix of young professionals, artists, and families living mainly in condominiums, lofts, and apartments.
One of the defining features of the Pearl District is its abundance of art galleries and studios. The neighborhood is home to several prestigious art schools and hosts a popular First Thursday art walk. Some of the most well-known galleries in the area include the Elizabeth Leach Gallery, Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, and the Froelick Gallery.
The Pearl District has a diverse range of restaurants and cafes, with many offering farm-to-table cuisine and artisanal ingredients. You’ll find city favorites like Andina, a Peruvian restaurant with a lively atmosphere and innovative cocktails, Janken, an elegant Japanese Korean fusion restaurant, and Portland’s southern brunch staple Screen Door, which recently opened its second location in the Pearl.
In addition to fantastic restaurants, the Pearl District is the city’s premiere place to shop, with a mix of high-end boutiques and unique indie stores. Most notably, Powell’s City of Books is in the Pearl and is the largest independent bookstore in the world, spanning half a city block. Down the street from Powell’s, you’ll find luxury favorites like West Elm and Anthropologie and specialty stores selling everything from handmade jewelry to vintage clothing. MadeHere is a popular Pearl District boutique focused exclusively on high-quality, design-savvy goods made in Portland and the Pacific Northwest.
