10 lessons from Bend

“What we learn from history is that people don’t learn from history.”

Warren Buffett

If downtown Bend, Oregon was a drink, it would be equal parts coffee, beer, and river water. It’s a cocktail for success - one all of us developers should study - but there’s a handful of other ingredients that make it different (and more effective) than the new stuff we’re building.

1. Imperfection.

   Check out the columns at The Commons Cafe & Taproom - it’s hard to find any new construction that compares.

2. A Cellar Pub

   Basement beverages enhance any urban environment and not enough of them are getting built.

3. Back alley as a front door

   Instead of turning a back to pedestrians, enliven loading areas where possible.

4. Hand-crafted intoxicants

   In an age of wellness-related fast casual brands, “late night provisions” are scarce.

5. Letter Signs

   Most new developments have a “sign criteria” so the Man can prevent personalized expression. RESIST.

6. Live Music.

   It’s not all Birkenstocks and Patagonia - Bend still a few hideouts to hear scream-singing post-punk bands - something every town should all emulate.

7. Rooftop Signs.

   Most municipal sign regulations prohibit this. Why?

8. Old stuff.

   A tavern “Est. 1936” is a proxy for damn good fish & chips. Pine Tavern is no exception.

9. Record Stores

   Smith Rock Records - vintage Rolling Stone mags, Pulp Fiction on a loop, Wu-Tang stickers, and CDs. We all need more of this.

10. Multi-modal transportation

    Mass transit is too expensive for most areas, but bike trails and river commutes make for good living. A bit of surface parking, a flower shop and some food trucks to greet arrivals makes for good vibes.

Old downtowns designed themselves for a purpose. And they worked. Some of them still do - it’s good to understand why.

Thank you for reading Asphalt Jungle - if you’re passionate about transformative real estate development, apply to join AUTOMATIC - a gathering for real estate developers interested in making wonderful places and the innovative retail & hospitality brands, designers, contractors, and capital providers that bring those places to life.

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