NW Portland: Slabtown

Sandwiched between the Pearl District and Nob Hill sits the newest of Northwest Portland's personalities: Slabtown. A decade ago this stretch north of NW Lovejoy was mostly industrial land and parking lots. Today it's arguably the most talked about pocket of the quadrant, a mix of sleek new apartment buildings, wide sidewalks, and a clean, modern edge that feels a little different from the historic streets just a few blocks away.

The name itself has old roots, it's been used for over a century to describe this stretch of Northwest Portland, long before any of the current buildings existed. What's changed is the density. New residential buildings have brought thousands of new neighbors to the area in just the last few years, along with a genuine anchor for daily life, New Seasons that finally gave the neighborhood a real reason to stay local for errands instead of driving elsewhere.

Slabtown still holds onto some of its older character too. Courtyard apartments and older homes sit within a few blocks of brand new construction, and two small commercial strips, one on NW 23rd north of Lovejoy and one along Thurman Street, keep a neighborhood feel even as the skyline changes around them. The city has also been investing in public space here, including a new park planned for the corner of NW 20th and Pettygrove that will finally give the area a real green gathering spot.

For buyers, Slabtown tends to appeal to people who want the walkability of the Pearl or Nob Hill but in a newer building with modern finishes, in-unit laundry, and amenities like rooftop decks and fitness centers that older buildings in the area often can't offer. It's an easy bike ride to the river, a short walk to Nob Hill's shopping, and close enough to Forest Park that a trailhead is well within reach.

If you want new construction with a walkable urban feel and don't mind being in a neighborhood that's still actively becoming itself, Slabtown is worth putting on your list.