The Tiffany Center is one of Portland's most treasured architectural buildings. It was designed by architect Harrison A. Whitney with the assistance of Fred Fritsch, a designer with Sutton and Whitney Architects.
When the building was constructed in 1928 it was known as the Neighbors of Woodcraft Building, the home office of Woodcraft Insurance, a fraternal insurance group. The large public rooms were used for lodge activities.
The Tiffany Center is of a modern design with a touch of Northern Italian Romanesque influence. With the use of a close range brick color and cast stone with matching mortar colors, the classic structure gives a warmth and freedom of movement. The large arched opening with carved gargoyle stone ornaments add to the uniqueness of the structure. The interior appointments of the lobby, reception rooms and formal event rooms have been maintained with the unique wood paneling, lighting and windows of the original building.
The building was constructed by a local contractor, Lorenz Bros, at a cost of $315,981. The site was acquired for the sum of $16,000.
The Tiffany Center is on the National Register of Historical Places.
The current name "Tiffany Center" was placed on the building in 1993 when the building was purchased by it's present owner and is named after the owner's daughter.
Since purchasing the building in 1993, Weston Investment Co has completed numerous renovations and upgrades.
The main entrance off Morrison is through four massive solid oak paneled transom doors, glazed with LAC glass. The lobby has a wainscoting of Sienna Travertine to an oval barrel ceiling which harmonizes with the travertine, the bronze directory boards, mail box and two massive lantern fixtures. Prior to Weston Investment Co acquiring the property, the oval ceiling had been sprayed with a "popcorn type" acoustic spray. This is the area that local artist, Benjamin Alan Nygren has painted the Italian Renaissance/Riviera painting.
The basement of the building was used years ago as a commercial printing plant of The Daily Journal of Commerce. Weston Investment Co had the area converted to parking.
Weston Investment Co is committed to maintaining the building and has completed substantial upgrades to the mechanical systems of the building. One of the two passenger elevators was still manually operated at the time of purchase and it is said to be the last manually operated elevator of its kind in Portland.
