The Iconic Big Pink
The U.S. Bancorp Tower, affectionately known as the Big Pink, rises 42 stories above Portland, Oregon, standing tall as an iconic symbol of the city’s skyline. Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) with the esteemed Pietro Belluschi as a consultant, this skyscraper, soaring 536.0 feet high, commands attention with its striking presence. With construction costs totaling $60 million, the ground was broken on May 29, 1981, marking the beginning of an architectural marvel that would soon become a defining feature of Portland’s urban landscape.
Upon its largely completed status in June 1983 and subsequent dedication on December 1 of the same year, the U.S. Bancorp Tower initially served as the national headquarters of U.S. Bancorp. However, following a corporate merger in 1997, its role shifted to that of a regional headquarters, relocating the main offices to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Notably, a $4 million renovation in 2002 transformed the tower’s 30th floor into the home of Portland City Grill, acclaimed as the city’s premier dining destination. Positioned atop the tower, the restaurant boasts unparalleled panoramic views, making it a cherished spot for locals and visitors alike to savor culinary delights against the backdrop of Portland’s skyline.
What truly sets the U.S. Bancorp Tower apart are its distinctive shape and color palette. Pietro Belluschi, renowned for his architectural finesse, prioritized the interplay of light and shadow on the tower’s surface. Meanwhile, the SOM team grappled with the challenge of working with an irregularly shaped lot dictated by the city’s street grid. As a result, the tower’s design eschews traditional right angles, embracing a parallelogram footprint that adds to its allure. Belluschi’s meticulous selection of materials, including pink granite quarried from Spain for the exterior facing and specially treated Pittsburgh Plate Glass for the windows, lends the tower its signature hue and captivating aesthetic.
