The Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland announced the 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams award recipients on August 26 during an evening ceremony at NW Natural.

The dream condominium homes earn awards in three categories: Professional’s Choice, which are judged by professional judges who come from outside the Portland area; Realtor’s Choice, selected by licensed realtors who attended the show’s Realtor Day; and, People’s Choice awards submitted by show attendees.

“The 2009 Street of Dreams showcased excellence and innovation,” said HBA CEO Dave Nielsen. “We are proud to produce this annual show, celebrating the latest designs and home ideas. This year’s first-ever urban edition of the Street was a huge success, and I congratulate all those who came together to make this amazing event turn from a dream into a reality.”

This weekend is your last opportunity to see these award-winning homes. The show runs through Sunday, August 30, and tickets are available on-site or online at www.streetofdreamspdx.com. Come be impressed and inspired by the show that Portland is raving about.

Realtor’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937 Condominiums
Best Interior Design: East Village, Block 90
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Home Furnishings: The Manhattan, Block 90

Professional’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Maison, 937
Best Interior Design: Maison, 937
Best Master Suite: An Uncommon Life, The Encore
Best Kitchen: Maison, 937
Best Architecture: 937 Condominiums

People’s Choice Awards
Best of Show: Bedford, 937
Best Interior Design:The Manhattan, Block 90/Skywatcher, Waterfront Pearl
Best Kitchen: The Manhattan, Block 90
Best Master Suite: Luster of the Pearl, The Encore

By Jim Redden, The Portland Tribune

In another sign that the local real estate market is stabilizing, organizers of this year’s Street of Dreams say attendance is better than expected.

“It started out decent and is growing much faster than previous shows,” says Dave Nielsen, chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, which produces the annual month-long event.

The Street of Dreams usually showcases new luxury homes on landscaped lots in well-manicured suburban neighborhoods. Because of the recession, this year’s event is a little different. It focuses instead on nine unsold penthouses in four Pearl District condominium towers. Other available units in the condo buildings are also open to the public, but not part of the annual show.

Event director Nancy Haskin says two of the nine featured penthouses have sold since the Street of Dreams began on Aug. 1. People touring the buildings also have purchased an unknown number of smaller condominiums.

At the beginning of the event, prices for all available units ranged from $261,000 to slightly less than $2.5 million.

“We’re very pleased with the response so far,” says Haskin, who is the homebuilders’ association director of membership services and events.

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Friday, Aug. 21, 10 pm, through Monday, Aug. 24, 5 am: all lanes on northbound I-405 will be closed between the Marquam and Fremont bridges. All ramps connecting to northbound I-405 also will be closed during these work hours. The Fremont and Marquam bridges will remain open during this work.

Lanes and most ramps on southbound I-405 will remain open during the northbound I-405 closure. The S.W. Montgomery on-ramp to I-405 southbound will be closed. This closure is required to keep the increased traffic on I-405 southbound flowing smoothly. No other ramp closures to I-405 southbound are planned for this weekend.

To visit the NW Natural Street of Dreams:

From I-5 South (Vancouver)
-Take I-5 to Broadway Bridge - Exit #302A
-Cross Broadway Bridge to Lovejoy
-Official Street of Dreams parking lot available at 12th and Overton ($5 all day)

From I-5 North (Tigard/Lake Oswego/Wilsonville)
-Take I-5 North across Marquam Bridge
-Exit at #302A to Broadway
-Go left on Broadway
-Take Broadway Bridge to Lovejoy
-Official Street of Dreams parking lot available at 12th and Overton ($5 all day)

From I-84 West
-Take I-5 North across Marquam Bridge
-Exit at #302A to Broadway
-Go left on Broadway
-Take Broadway Bridge to Lovejoy
-Official Street of Dreams parking lot available at 12th and Overton ($5 all day)

From Hwy 26 East
-Take Market St. Exit to downtown from Hwy 26
-Take Market St. to 10th - go left (north) on 10th Street
-Follow 10th to Overton
-Official Street of Dreams parking lot available at 12th and Overton ($5 all day)

Friday, Aug. 28, 10 pm, through Monday, Aug. 31, 5 am: all lanes on southbound I-405 will be closed between the Marquam and Fremont bridges. All ramps connecting to southbound I-405 also will be closed during these work hours. The Fremont and Marquam bridges will remain open during this work. Lanes and ramps on northbound I-405 will remain open during the southbound I-405 closure.

For more information click here.

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The NW Natural Street of Dreams, put on by the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, has taken the Pearl District by storm for the month of August. And, for one day only, attendees have the unique opportunity to view the show on two-tires.

On Sunday, Aug. 16, biking enthusiasts can join hundreds of like-minded individuals for Cycle the Dream, an event designed to show the public how easy and fun it is to experience the Pearl by bike. Along their special journey, riders will enjoy special events, clinics, product demonstrations, giveaways and tasty treats with their Pearl Pass…all while taking in the beauty of the show’s four buildings and nine luxury condominium homes.

This event, which is the brainchild of Mark McGregor, owner of Clean It Up, Mark! And long-time HBA member, caps off the HBA’s Green Week at the Street and further demonstrates the association’s dedication to sustainability.

“When I heard the HBA was putting on the most sustainable version of the show to date, complete with LEED certified buildings, carbon offsets, recycling and green seminars, I knew I had to get involved,” said McGregor. “Cycle the Dream is the first step toward my long-term goal of incorporate cycling into all HBA events and gaining support for bicycle friendly developments and homes.”

Peal Passes can be purchased for $15 online or at the 937 building upon arrival. Additionally, attendees can rent a bike from one of the available vendors at Block 90 or the Encore or bring their own. All-day parking is available for $5 at NW 12th and Pettygrove.

A complete list of vendors, events and freebies available during Cycle the Dream is below:

Location: 937 Condominiums (937 NW Glisan St.)
Event: Buy your tickets here to gain access to the show!
Other Goodies: Extra bike parking available, courtesy of Bike Racker and free biking maps

Location: Block 90 (323 NW 13th St.)
Event: Bike Tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., courtesy of Kirsten Kaufman, one of the only biking Realtors in the country
Vendor: Renovo Hardwood Bikes (hollow frame wooden bicycles)
Other Goodies: Bike rentals available!

Location: The Encore (949 NW Overton St.)
Event: Bike maintenance clinic at noon
Vendors: Sweetpea Bikes (women-specific bikes), NoPo Mobile Bike Repair Shop, and Unitus Credit Union (loans for bikes)
Other Goodies: Bike rentals available through Waterfront Bike Rental, free popsicles from Sol Pop at 1 p.m., and free smoothies from Pacific Perks from 2-4 p.m.

For additional information about the event, visit www.cyclethedream.com.