Interior of a modern bar with a marble countertop, wooden tables, and chairs. A wooden wall behind the bar displays beer options and has numerous glass beer taps. Large windows let in natural light, and hanging pendant lights illuminate the space.

pFriem Family Brewers

  • The adaptive reuse of Milwaukie City Hall transforms the historic 1937 Public Works Administration-era building into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub in the heart of downtown Milwaukie, Oregon. Once home to essential city functions—including the mayor’s office, council chambers, city departments, public library, police and fire stations, and a community meeting hall—this compact yet vital facility served as the cornerstone of civic life for over 85 years.

    Reimagined through a $5 million revitalization effort, the project preserves the building’s architectural legacy while supporting economic development and community-rooted stewardship. Led by City Hall Holdings, the renewed space now welcomes key tenants such as pFriem Family Brewers and Keeper Coffee, aligning with the city’s vision for a lively, inclusive, and sustainable downtown.

    Through inclusive tenant selection, public access, arts engagement, and strong civic partnerships, the project preserves a vital community asset and fosters connections across Milwaukie’s diverse population.

    Now open seven days a week, from early morning through evening, the building once again serves as a welcoming civic gathering space. Tenants were chosen not only for their commercial viability and regional recognition but also for their alignment with community values and their contributions to the social fabric of Milwaukie. pFriem Family Brewers, an award-winning Oregon-based brewery, brings family-friendly dining, quality jobs, and a strong connection to Northwest craft and culinary culture.

    The transformation converted the 11,945-square-foot building from civic use into two restaurant venues on the ground floor and creative office suites on the second floor. Interior renovations included the addition of two staircases, reconfigured restrooms, selective wall removals and additions, new MEP systems, walk-in coolers, and full commercial kitchens. Exterior improvements included structural roof upgrades to accommodate mechanical units, the addition of ADA-accessible ramps, stairs, and guardrails, as well as a heated pergola and outdoor seating with a play space—creating inviting public areas that foster community connection.

    Over decades of civic use, the building had been altered with carpeting, dropped ceilings, and temporary partitions that obscured natural light, lowered ceiling heights, and blocked views of the original windows. These modifications were removed to reveal a striking timber structural system, which the team chose to expose and celebrate throughout the renovated space.

    Working within a 1930s structure posed challenges, including uneven floor heights and circulation patterns designed for outdated uses. The design and development teams addressed these by retaining the existing elevator and adding one new interior staircase per tenant suite, improving vertical circulation and allowing pFriem’s employees and food service to move fluidly across all three floors of the building and their 4,429-square-foot tenant space which one housed the City’s fire department.

    Upon entering the main lobby, visitors are greeted by a refurbished vintage host stand, reclaimed wood floors, 1930s-style tile work, and the first of three custom pFriem bars. Turning right leads into the original fire station garage. The firehouse's original garage doors were retained and now open to a heated, covered pergola with outdoor seating along the former driveway. The original fire pole was repurposed as a functional and beautiful design element in the first- and second-floor bars, channeling tap lines up and down. Custom curved bars provide a stunning focal point on both levels and act as a visual barrier to the new stairwell, preserving as much historic integrity as possible.

  • Developer/Owner: City Hall Holdings LLC, a partnership of Henry Point Development, Owen Gabbert, LLC, and Reside Development
    General Contractor: Owen Gabbert, LLC
    Architect: Brett Schulz Architect, PC
    Interior Designer: Design Department Architecture
    Structural Engineer: Kurt Fischer Structural Engineering
    Photographer: Gregor Halenda
    Tenant: pFriem Family Brewers

The image shows the reception area of a brewery with a wooden counter, a floral arrangement in a glass vase, and a large mirror with the brewery name. There are wooden tables and chairs for customers, framed pictures and a potted plant on the wall, a
Interior of a cozy restaurant with wooden ceiling beams, large windows, and a mix of wood and tile flooring. There is a wooden counter with a flower arrangement, framed mirror, and hanging light fixtures.
Interior of a brewery or pub with a wooden bar, a large mirror with the word 'FREIGM', a bouquet of flowers, wood-paneled ceiling, framed wall decorations, and a countertop with taps for dispensing drinks.
Inside a brewery tasting room with a wooden bar, drinks menu on the wall, and a refrigerator stocked with beers. There are three hanging lights, a window showing outdoor trees, and a large landscape painting behind the bar.
Bright, modern dining area with multiple wooden tables, green leather chairs, and large windows allowing natural light. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and framed artwork on the wall add to the cozy atmosphere.
Empty restaurant with wooden tables, green and black chairs, and a circular bar with high chairs. The walls feature windows, mirrors, and framed pictures, with warm lighting from hanging and wall-mounted lamps.
Interior of a modern bar with a round marble counter, wooden barstools, large windows, wooden ceiling, and a wooden wall with a menu board listing various beers.
Bright cafe interior with wooden furniture, large windows, and a view of trees outside. Light fixtures with round bulbs. A serving counter on the right with glasses on shelves.
Inside view of a bar with multiple beer taps, a glass of beer on the counter, and shelves with glasses and boxes. The bar has white hexagon tile backsplash and wooden shelving.
Interior of a modern restaurant with large windows, wooden beams, and hanging globe lights. There are tables and chairs arranged for dining, with a gallery wall of pictures on one wall. A bar counter is visible in the foreground.
A cozy cafe interior with wood furniture, a bar area with stools, large windows letting in natural light, and decorative framed pictures on the wall.
Interior of a modern restaurant with large windows, hanging light fixtures, a marble bar with beer taps, and seating with booths and chairs, decorated with wall art and plants.
An outdoor patio dining area with people sitting at tables under a wooden awning with a sign that reads 'PFRIEM' in front of a brick building with large windows and trees surrounding the area.
A brick building with large windows and a bar/restaurant with outdoor seating, string lights, and a sign that says 'Frem.' There are people dining outside at night with trees and bushes in the surroundings.
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