Feature image: Steve Morgan

Situated on the northern edge of Portland’s famous Northwest District, Montgomery Park has long been a popular area for both residents and visitors alike. Boasting walkable streets, nearby hiking trails, and countless entertainment options, Montgomery Park is especially popular with a younger crowd.

If you’re looking to move to Portland and take advantage of the city’s trendy shops and social scene, the Montgomery Park area is a great neighborhood to consider.

In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know about Montgomery Park, including all the reasons why people love living in this hip Portland neighborhood.

Where Is Montgomery Park?

Montgomery Park lies between NW Nicolai and W Burnside Street. The area is bordered by Forest Park on the west and I-405 to the east.

As part of Portland’s Northwest District, Montgomery Park neighbors a variety of iconic areas, including Slabtown, NW 23rd, and Nob Hill. This entire area is also referred to as the Alphabet Historic District, after the alphabetically named streets.

The History of Montgomery Park

Photo: Kris

Montgomery Park gets its name from the historic office building that distinguishes the area. This iconic building was built in 1920 by American retail enterprise, Montgomery Ward. For over 60 years, the building was used as the company’s mail-order catalog warehouse and later as a retail store.

In 1985, the building was acquired by a property development company owned by brothers Bill and Sam Naito. The brothers turned the space into an event and trade show center, changing the name of the building from Montgomery Ward to Montgomery Park.

It’s said Bill Naito liked the name “Montgomery Park” because it meant they only had to change the “W” and “D” of “Ward” in the large steel-framed roof sign.

The Simpsons fans will appreciate another fun fact about Montgomery Park. The building is reportedly the inspiration behind Montgomery Burns, the show’s excellently evil character and owner of the town’s nuclear power plant. Devotees of the show say that, just like the Montgomery Park sign, Montgomery Burns’ nuclear plant towers glowed at night.

Today, Montgomery Park is the second largest office building in Portland and a popular venue for special events and weddings.

6 Reasons To Love Montgomery Park

Proximity to Downtown

Montgomery Park is a prime spot for those who work downtown but don’t want to live in the heart of the city. Portland’s buzzing city center is just a 10-minute drive by car. The area offers easy access to public transportation, bike-friendly routes, and walkable streets.

Even if the downtown area is not your goal, Montgomery park is convenient to several freeways. Getting around the city is easy from this central location.

 

Trendy Boutiques & Stores

The Montgomery Park area is a shopper’s mecca. There are so many charming and interesting shops in this area– and no more so than on Northwest 23rd Avenue. In fact, this street has been called one of America’s best shopping streets.

A great place to spend the whole day or even just a few hours, Northwest 23rd Avenue features both locally owned boutiques and national chains. Here are a few of our favorites:

 

Urban Edge

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A must-visit boutique for menswear. Urban Edge is a laid-back clothing store that stocks a unique selection of high-quality shirts, belts, buckles, wallets, and more. And make sure to say hi to the shop’s friendly black and white pup, Astro!

 

Betsy & Iya

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This local jewelry store offers a beautiful selection of handcrafted designs. Make sure to stop by on a weekday and take a tour of their workshop. Betsy & Iya also stocks a beautifully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and gifts.

 

Hip Hound

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Both you and your pup will love this dog shop! This puppy boutique offers everything you could possibly need for your canine partner– from toys and treats to collars, leashes, beds, and more. Hip Hound is also home to Java Hound Coffee Bar so you and your pup can enjoy a delicious beverage while shopping.

 

Restaurants & Cafes

When it comes to good food, the Northwest District has you covered. This area offers cuisine from around the word– from Thai, Italian, French, Japanese, Spanish, and everything in between. Your taste buds will be thanking you for moving to the Montgomery Park neighborhood.

You’ll also never be far from a cafe or dessert shop. There are two spots in particular that you don’t want to miss:

 

Salt and Straw



If there’s one ice cream shop that Portlanders know and love, it’s Salt and Straw. This confectionery is known for its offbeat flavors that scream Portland. For instance, you can try the Pear & Blue Cheese, Arbequina Olive Oil, or the Freckled Woodblock Chocolate.

 

Sterling Coffee Roasters

This cozy coffee shop is another hot spot in the Northwest District. Sterling Coffee Roasters has been winning people over since 2010 with its craft-roasted coffee and classic environment.

 

Local Beer

Kells Brewery

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Established in 2012, Kells Brewery is a local Irish 10-barrel brewery. Kells offers a standard lineup of 8 year-round styles and a number of seasonals. This brewery has a popular late night happy hour and live music on the weekends.

 

Lucky Labrador Beer Hall

Not only does this beer hall serve house-made beers, it’s also a friendly spot to hang out with your pup. Lucky Labrador Brewing Company is a great spot to host a party, as it offers a separate room large enough for 125 people.

 

Art Scene

Portland has countless art galleries, museums, music and film festivals, and visual art exhibitions. Within the Northwest District, art aficionados have some great art galleries to choose from.

The Russo Lee Gallery houses a variety of media including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. And the Jeffrey Thomas Fine Art studio is a must-see for contemporary art lovers.

 

Hiking and Outdoor Activities

Montgomery Park sits just southeast of Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the United States. This park offers more than 80 miles of trails for Portlanders to enjoy without ever leaving city limits. Forest Park is the perfect place for hiking, trail running, or just getting away from the business of the city.

 


Housing In Montgomery Park

The Montgomery Park area boasts a variety of housing options. The majority of people in this area live in an apartment and new condominiums are popping up on a regular basis. Even so, this neighborhood has something for everyone. From new condos and townhomes to detached single family homes.

If you’re interested in living in the Montgomery Park area, contact us to find out what homes we have on the market in the area. We buy homes in all of Portland’s neighborhoods and work hard to improve every home we buy. Call us at (503) 200-8730 to learn more!