Community Connections: Max Schlesinger
We connected with Max Schlesinger, a Commercial Real Estate Broker at Apex Real Estate Partners. Apex moved its offices to the Pearl District recently and Max is enthusiastic about the firm’s new location. It’s located blocks away from his Pearl District clients, including the Pearl District Portfolio (and their properties) and he already sees renewed energy in the neighborhood as we put the past year behind us.
Fourth-generation Oregonian and local commercial real estate broker Max Schlesinger discusses the Pearl’s unique qualities and what the future holds for Portland’s original creative district.
The Pearl District is a special place: a vibrant, walkable area with a unique mix of arts and culture, business, dining, and greenspace.
Max emphasized the combination of new and old that make the Pearl a premier location. "New, modern, construction blended with historic buildings," he said, “give the Pearl a unique aesthetic, but one that's grounded in the area's long history.”
He’s right, too. The Pearl is well over a century old and has seen practically everything within its borders: the railroad, warehouses of every type, and family-owned shops. Later the district was populated by art galleries, restaurants, small retail shops and boutiques as well as commercial office spaces.
The Pearl District is a unique blend of Portland’s history combined with modern design.
The red-brick Maddox Building was constructed in 1906, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Maddox building initially served the railroad that ran up and down 13th Avenue. As the railroads faded into history, the building transitioned to trade, as did many of the warehouses. Maddox Transfer & Storage utilized the building for storage services. The name and logo of the Maddox Company remain painted on the building today, an iconic symbol of the Pearl’s past.
Pearl District Portfolio - The Maddox
More than just a location, the Pearl is a strong, connected community.
A creative approach and highly engaged community contribute to the Pearl’s reemergence as a functioning, dynamic neighborhood after a challenging past year. The Pearl District Neighborhood Association supports and connects neighbors and small businesses in the district with its partner, the Pearl District Business Association. The Neighborhood Association volunteers clean the streets and parks, aid in traffic issues and disaster preparedness, and much more. This sort of collective behavior not only strengthens the bond between the neighbors and businesses but allows for a kind of resilient business community that is hard to find.
Spring is in the air!
“We are seeing signs of post-pandemic life emerging in the Pearl, and I'm anticipating that by this summer, we’ll see the true vibrancy and energy that the Pearl is known for return.” - Max Schlesinger
Innovative ideas continue to build momentum in the Pearl District.
Max sees keeping parts of historic 13th Street “pedestrian-only” as an example of what has allowed for “this part of the city’s post-pandemic return to progress faster than elsewhere.” Earlier this year, 13th street was closed to traffic, which allowed pedestrians and shoppers to walk at will through the area, which as Max said, brought a sort of quiet, small-town feel to the otherwise cosmopolitan neighborhood.
Things are looking up but Max is pragmatic about the road to “normal” and what that means for the Pearl and Portland in general.
"We have a long road ahead to returning to "normal" and rebuilding from the challenging year that the pandemic brought to business across the metro area. Despite all of the conversations around the end to office space as we know it, people and businesses will return. We thrive off of social interaction and the sharing of ideas. Businesses still need a place for their employees to meet with each other and clients, share ideas, socialize. All of that is most effectively done in an office setting. Something that Zoom calls and working from home cannot provide."
A vision made real:
Max credits Al Solheim, a Portland real estate luminary, for the Pearl's personality and durability.
“The Pearl is so unique with its blend of new, sleek high-rise condominiums and low-rise, historic commercial buildings. Without Al and other visionaries, the Pearl wouldn’t be what it is today.”
“Work hard, the rewards will come, then don’t forget to enjoy the rewards from your hard work.”
Max grew up in SW Portland and Lake Oswego. After spending the early part of his career working for action sports companies in Utah and San Francisco, he moved home to work in commercial real estate. Max is an avid skier, enjoys traveling, and cooking. Closer to home, he enjoys exploring Forest and Washington Park with his adorable golden retriever puppy, Nellie.
For more information on the Pearl District Portfolio and leasing opportunities, contact Max Schlesinger.
P: 971.703.4702 / Email: Max@apexcre.com
