Image courtesy The Framework Project
The construction of a 12-story cross-laminated timber (CLT) building planned for Portland, Oregon, has been placed on indefinite hold as a result of changing market conditions, including escalated construction costs and fluctuations in the tax credit market, according to a statement from the project team. Initiated in 2014, Framework Tower is the vision of a multi-company team, which includes project designer, Lever Architecture, and developer project^ among others.
“Over the last four years, the Framework team has worked with private entities and public agencies that have understood the nature of this project and have supported our efforts to bring this pioneering model to fruition,” said Anyeley Hallova, developer with project^. “Although beset with market challenges beyond our control, we are very proud of Framework’s achievements and the new standards we have established for the use of CLT in the U.S.”
In 2015, Framework was the recipient of a $1.5-million U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Softwood Lumber Board, and Binational Softwood Lumber Council. The funding supported a two-year research and development phase and performance-based review process, which demonstrated tall mass timber buildings can comply with U.S. building codes in regards to structural, fire, and acoustical performance testing. Framework received building permit approvals from the State of Oregon and the City of Portland in June 2017.
The building was expected to be one of the tallest wood towers in North America. The project was detailed in two previous articles from The Construction Specifier. Those articles can be found online here and here.
