Dekum Building

Historic building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

United States historic place


The Dekum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Portland Historic Landmark^[2]

Viewed from the northeast in 2019
45°31′10″N 122°40′31″W / 45.519464°N 122.675225°W / 45.519464; -122.675225
Built	1891–92
Architect	McCaw, Martin and White^[3]
Architectural style	Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	80003363^[1]
Added to NRHP	October 10, 1980

The Dekum or the Dekum Building is a historic office building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.^[4]

With its rusticated sandstone base, over-scaled arches at street level, and stone carvings, the eight-story building is a strong example of Romanesque Revival architecture. It was made completely from materials found in Oregon. Completed in 1892, it is named after Frank Dekum, a German immigrant who opened Portland's first candy shop. Construction cost US$300,000 in 1892, equivalent to $9,100,000 in 2023. During construction, masons reportedly drank beer instead of the usual coffee.^[3]

Notable tenants

Former

Blueplate Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain (2006–2016)
Wieden+Kennedy

References

^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
^ Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2010), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved October 31, 2013.
^ ^a ^b King, Bart (2001). An Architectural Guidebook to Portland. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 0-87905-991-5.
^ McMath, George A. (March 20, 1980). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form". National Park Service. Retrieved February 25, 2016.