Last month, the University of Oregon and Portland’s Venerable Group, Inc. accepted the keys to the historic White Stag Building from the Naito family, long-time owners of the landmark structure. The ceremony symbolized the change in use that will occur when the university moves its Portland programs to the building on the signature White Stag Block in Old Town Portland. Remodeling is already underway in anticipation of a January 2008 opening.

The White Stag Building was designed in 1907 as a manufacturing and warehouse facility by the Willamette Tent and Awning Company. The building is an integral part of the gothic Bickel Block designed in 1883. The Naito family acquired the property in 1972.

"The Naito family has been associated with the White Stag Building for many years. I am very pleased that the University of Oregon is moving its Portland programs here. I look forward to the energy the university will add to the revitalization of this important and historic part of the city," said Anne Naito-Campbell, a family member who took part in the ceremony.

"It is a deep honor to receive keys to the building from the Naito family," said Dave Frohnmayer, university president. "We are excited to join the neighborhood, to expand our Portland programs and to further strengthen our services to the greater Portland area. The University of Oregon is committed to Portland and expects to remain a long-term partner in the community."

The building has been purchased by White Stag Block, LLC, managed by Venerable. The university has signed an 18-year lease, with an option to buy at the eighth year, for the building and portions of two other historic buildings also situated on the White Stag Block.

With approximately 66,000 square feet of available space, the new Portland facility will unite university academic programs in one place and will allow the university to host lectures, exhibits and other public events. The center will include six classrooms, new event space for functions for up to 250 people, a new library for its architecture and journalism programs, a shared computer laboratory, and a new university book store/Duck Shop, which will also feature a café. In addition, the new facility will house administrative offices for 75 to 100 employees, including AHA International, a study-abroad program provider which operates under the auspices of the University of Oregon.

The university's journalism, law, architecture and allied arts, and continuing education programs are in strong demand among Portland-area professionals and prospective students. The School of Journalism and Communication's George S. Turnbull Portland Center opened its doors earlier this year and began offering its Eugene-based students a Senior Experience, combining half-day internships with late-afternoon classes in Portland last spring. Roundtable discussions bringing together working communications professionals to discuss the issues of the day are offered on a regular basis and graduate seminars in strategic communication will begin this fall.

The School of Architecture and Allied Arts has offered architecture and urban design courses in Portland for more than 25 years. Since 1998, its graduate program in architecture has been a centerpiece of the university programs offered in Portland. The school is known for the excellence of its cultural and fine arts, digital arts, historic preservation, planning, policy and environmental design programs. The program in architecture includes more than 75 graduate and undergraduate students studying and working in Portland and will expand enrollment with the addition of new faculty.

For a timeline and more history on Old Town’s White Stag Block, click here.