History + Facts

With the opening of the Bodyvox Dance Center, BodyVox has taken a major step to realizing the vision of Artistic Directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland.  The company's new home in the Pearl District of Portland serves as a nexus for dance art and the community.  This newly renovated 11,000 square foot facility holds an education stuido, rehearsal studio/performnce space, lobby/box office, administrative office and set and costume storage, all reflecting a warm and creative esthetic designed by award winning Boora Architects.  Daily rehearsals, classes, seasonal performances, special events for BodyVox and outside partners...the Dance Center is always bustling. 

The Theater, intended to serve both BodyVox and the greater Portland arts community will add a much-needed venue for Portland artists for whom the supply of suitable, affordable performance space does not meet current demand.

History

The BodyVox Dance Center began its life in 1915 when the Wells Fargo Company built it to be a multifunction carriage house containing stables for horses, a dormitory for employees and a carriage repair shop. It has since seen many tenants and many transformations; serving as the home for Margarita Leon’s Creative Kids art school, The Corberry Press, hit maker Gino Vannelli, the TBA Festival, numerous artists and the short-lived Portland Reporter from 1960-1964.

When BodyVox took over the building, they inherited a space cramped and cluttered with useless walls and partitions for storage. Though previous owner Henry Hillman had been an excellent steward of the space – replacing the roof and updating windows – the building had to first be stripped to its bones, clearing out the debris and additions from tenants past. What was found was a beautiful structure and a building with great character: brick walls; steel girders; broad, open spaces and endless possibilities.

BodyVox jumped at the unique opportunity to grab a historic building located close to downtown on the Streetcar Line in a quickly developing neighborhood and to build it into a creative center for arts organizations, nonprofits and artists. Now we work to make a vacant building active and vibrant again; to be a catalyst for a creative community that brings new life and energy to the neighborhood.

Facts
  • Listed in Portland’s Historic Building Registry. All updates to the building have passed a historical review.
  • Received a letter of support from Northwest District Association.
  • Opened the building to natural light, to create an energy efficient, more pleasant work environment.
  • Strategically placed fresh air return elements and included vents to pull out hot air to minimize the need for Air Conditioning.
  • Tuned up and refurbished all old HVAC units, no new units in building.
  • New Canopies and signage on the outside of building are designed to be compatible with the industrial character of the building and neighborhood.
  • A storm water collection system for water coming off of the roof will be installed.
  • Located on a Streetcar stop providing the center with good proximity to mass transit and a connection to the rest of the city.
  • Recycled lumber from the building was utilized to build a conference table, for detailing on the reception desk and for finish details throughout the building.