Overview

This building was erected by the Failing Family, civic leaders in Portland, and was known at first as the "Gevurtz Building," after its primary retail tenant, the Gevurtz Furniture Company. Between 1918 and 1927, the Portland Gas and Coke Company became the prime occupant, and it was known as either the "Gasco Building" or the "Failing Building," the latter having some unfortunate connotations.

Building Notes

In 1923, the architectural firm of Tourtellotte and Hummel operated in Rooms #311-312 in the Failing Building. (See Portland, Oregon, City Directory, 1923, p. 1694.)

Alteration

Like many buildings of the late nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, the Failing Building was erected incrementally as funds became available and office space demand increased. Whidden and Lewis designed the building to have six stories when completed in 1907, but added six more by 1913.

The J.J. Newberry Five-and-Dime Store occupied space in the Failing Building in the 1950s and directed Portland architect Arthur Glenn Stanton to remodel it. Stanton also designed a new, adjoining building at the same time for Newberry.