Pioneer Courthouse Square, affectionately known Portland's living room, public space occupying 40,000 ˛ (3700 ˛) y block center downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. T square bounded y Southwest Morrison Street north, Southwest 6 Avenue east, Southwest Yamhill Street south, Southwest Broadway .

T square named after Pioneer Courthouse, 1875 federal building occupying block directly square.

T square itself dates 1856, y purchased which included location Central School. T school moved 1883 plans major hotel response arrival Northern Pacific Railroad. After delays recession, eight-story Portland Hotel completed 1890.

T hotel center city's social activity first 20 century. I 1951, hotel -story parking built. A original archway gatework hotel conscientiously p square's design found today south square.

I early 1970s, comprehensive downtown p proposed become dedicated public space. I 1975, mayor Portland N Goldschmidt began negotiating local department store Meier & Frank obtain property y eventually convinced store y after parking concerns alleviated. By early 1980, design competition announced, seeking proposals become Pioneer Courthouse Square. O 162 submissions, finalists emerged, firms based N Y City, Philadelphia, S Francisco/Los Angeles, Boston, Portland. T Portland team, including chief designer Willard Martin, selected. Their design received "Architectural Design Citation" Progressive Architecture magazine 1981.

Funding problems surfaced after design completed. Portland mayor Frank Ivancie downtown business owners other influential citizens opposing concept p (instead enclosed) public square, based concerns p design would attract transients . Former Governor T McCall, y television commentator, indignant:

I would shock ... y Oregonians learn power brokers declared result nationwide design rivalry meaningless...

T square's construction required $3 million acquisition $4.3 million structures amenities, large enough amount opposition nearly doomed project. Martin, together other architects volunteers, attention delays opposition y painting stylized blueprint proposal itself. B formation "Friends Pioneer Square", citizen's group y y commissioners Charles Jordan M Lindberg, $750,000 raised y 50,000 inscribed bricks, rescue project.

T project completed 1984.

I 2001, completion Fx Tower, skyscraper block immediately southwest square, caused controversy among citizens blocks sunlight majority square during afternoon evening hours.

Features

O Morrison Yamhill streets ( north south boundaries square) sheltered MAX Light R stops. O north artistic feature, consisting towering classical columns which progressively topple those ancient . There outdoor chess tables toppled columns; chess players frequently congregate there during y. A cascading waterfall square frames entrance public information center. T center square arranged amphitheater, -circle approximately dozen steps serving seats square musical performances other events. Pioneer Courthouse Square designated -smoking 1 January 2007.

T bricks p square raise funds square's construction, inscribed donors' names. E Ladd, "early pioneer of…sustainable living," built wrought- gateway eastern g Square 1970s, scrap salvaged Portland Hotel.

Portland's NBC affiliate KGW announced January 2008 station build g-definition studio square, taking space previously occupied y Powell's Books. T station plans broadcast morning newscasts studio p completion, scheduled summer 2008.

Events

Dozens events year, including shows during spring summer, sponsored y local businesses. Events square usually g. I 2006 square played -y pillow fight, later -y slumber party. Pioneer Courthouse Square venue speeches, political demonstrations, rallies vigils. By Thanksgiving, Christmas occupies center square, -lighting ceremony y Friday evening after Thanksgiving. Another Christmas event square T Christmas. T celebration featuring nearly 200 euphonium players perform medley holiday songs. A annual N Year's E celebration there.

O J 27, 2006, Pioneer Courthouse Square largest gatherings history, approximately 8,500 filling public square py tribute recently crowned 2006 NCAA College World Series Baseball Champion Oregon State Beavers.

I Jy 2006, LCD screen raised square viewing semifinals finals FIFA World Cp soccer.