Modern multi-story apartment building with large windows and balconies, green trees surrounding it, clear blue sky in the background.

Joice A. Taylor

  • The Joice A. Taylor Building, located at 30 NE Fremont, was developed to provide dignified affordable housing opportunities for eligible residents, particularly members of Portland’s underserved Black community, while strengthening the surrounding neighborhood through high-quality infill development. The 22-unit building was created to support historically underserved residents, with a particular focus on advancing equitable access to housing for Black Portlanders.

    The property is owned jointly by Owen Gabbert, LLC (OGLLC) and the Urban League of Portland. The Urban League manages the property, prioritizing long-term housing opportunities for members of the Black community through resident services, outreach, and tenant support. The success of this development was also made possible through a collaborative partnership with Shortstack Housing, a local women-led development team, and WORKS Architecture. Together, the partnership created a replicable, stackable “kit of parts” building design that reduces design and construction timelines and, over time, lowers overall project costs. The approach integrates efficiently with mass timber systems, including the cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels used in the horizontal structural components.

    By utilizing CLT, the team implemented an efficient construction strategy that maximized buildability within the tight site. Construction was carried out in two phases due to the extremely limited urban footprint, requiring precise sequencing and coordination. Throughout the process, the team emphasized demonstrating that affordability and design excellence can coexist.

    The Joice A. Taylor Building consists of 15 studio apartments, four two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units. It was named in honor of Joice A. Taylor, whose leadership and advocacy in Portland’s Albina community made a lasting impact. Youth mentorship, civil rights advocacy, community strengthening, and business leadership were championed by Taylor throughout her life. She served as CEO of Global Management Strategies, President of the North/Northeast Business Association, and Community Service Director for the Albina Community Development Corporation.

    Her legacy continues through every resident served, every family housed, and every voice strengthened within these walls. In partnership with the Urban League of Portland, her vision is extended—resulting in not just homes, but hope.

  • Developer: Owen Gabbert, LLC
    Owner: Urban League of Portland
    General Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC with Cutwater Design & Build Solutions LLC
    Architect: WORKS Architecture
    Landsc    ape Architect:Studio Wild Landscape Architecture
    Structural Engineer: DCI Engineers
    Civil Engineer:Vega Civil Engineering, LLC
    Electrical Engineer: HK Electrical Engineers
    Mechanical Engineer: MFIA Inc. Consulting Engineers
    CLT Supplier: Kalesnikoff
    CLT Installer: Blas BuildPro
    Photographer: Alex Pryce

  • 2026 Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Top Project

A modern multi-story apartment building with white siding, black window frames, and small balconies. There are trees with autumn leaves in front and a small patch of greenery at the bottom. The building has large windows and a staircase on the right
Multiple levels of outdoor balconies with black railings on a modern apartment building, with a pathway, trees, and clear sky in the background at dusk.
Modern multi-story residential building with large glass windows and balconies, surrounded by trees
Modern interior room with large window overlooking trees and parked cars outside, wooden ceiling with circular light fixtures, light wood flooring, white walls, and a black door with a small balcony beyond.
Interior view of an empty modern kitchen and living space with light wood flooring, white walls, a wooden ceiling, a door at the end, and large windows on the side, with ceiling lights and a kitchen sink visible.
Modern kitchen with wooden ceiling, green cabinets, black appliances, and hardwood flooring, with a door leading outside.
Modern kitchen with black refrigerator, green cabinets, black oven, microwave, and sink, with light wood flooring and a wood ceiling.
Modern bathroom with white walls, a single sink vanity with a light gray cabinet and quartz countertop, a large mirror, black fixtures, a glass-enclosed shower with black hardware, and a toilet. The floor is light-colored wood.
Empty room with a sliding door window, small closet with bifold doors, and a ceiling fan.
Empty room with a large window on the left, white walls, a wooden ceiling with a black ceiling fan, built-in white cabinets on the right, and a white door with a black handle.
Empty room with wooden flooring, white walls, a window showing trees outside, a ceiling fan, and a sliding glass door leading outside.
An empty room with white walls, a wooden ceiling, and a wooden floor. There is a window showing greenery outside, and a ceiling fan with black blades.
Living room with a yellow sofa, black and white patterned cushions, black metal coffee table with a vase of white flowers, green plants, white walls with framed photos, wooden ceiling, window with black frame and outdoor view, curved shelving with bo
Modern living room with a black metal-framed daybed with yellow and black patterned cushions, a wooden coffee table with a small vase of white flowers, a large window with a view of a wooden fence and green trees, a wall with framed photos, a full-le
Modern kitchen with gray cabinets, a black stove, microwave, and a coffee maker on the countertop. There is a vase with orange flowers on the counter, and a black refrigerator is partially visible on the right. The ceiling is wooden with recessed lig
View of a modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black refrigerator, and a white countertop. There is a stainless steel sink, black stove, and microwave. Decor includes a vase with orange dried flowers, a small table with a plant, and wall art. The ki
Interior view of a modern living space with a kitchen and dining area, featuring a gray kitchen cabinet, a stove, a coffee maker, a dining table with place settings, a cozy sitting area with a gray sofa, yellow pillows, a black and white blanket, a r
An outdoor balcony with wooden flooring, black metal railings, and a staircase leading down. The balcony is attached to a beige building with horizontal siding, and in the background, there is a tall modern apartment building with multiple balconies.
Balcony view of a modern building with multiple windows and balconies, sunlight shining brightly in a clear blue sky.
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