Renovated Downtown Coworking Space to Open Tuesday
The 124-year-old Kelly's Olympian debuts a new shared workspace on S.W. Washington Street at 4 p.m.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work
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Will the blend of coworking and bar space successfully help revive Portland's downtown business core?
Portlanders looking for a change of scenery in the downtown core can visit a newly renovated workspace and bar partnership starting Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. Kelly’s Olympian and the firm UrbanWork are opening their shared space at 420-426 S.W. Washington St. to combine professional tasks with evening social hours.
Why it matters
The $750,000 project represents a reinvestment in the neighborhood, occurring near the Washington Center, which became a nexus for drug trafficking in 2023. Owners aim to show that the traditional 124-year-old local business can adapt to post-pandemic work habits by integrating coworking and nightlife.
The renovation project represents a $750,000 investment in the 124-year-old Kelly's Olympian site. Whether the model attracts enough white-collar workers remains unknown.
The players
Kelly's Olympian
A 124-year-old Portland bar located on S.W. Washington Street.
UrbanWork
A coworking firm that is partnering to renovate the space for remote workers.
The details
The renovation adds an upstairs shared workspace and a new passage connecting the established bar to a music venue. The partnership with UrbanWork allows users to transition from daytime productivity to evening programming. Management has integrated safety measures, including naloxone, into the site budget to support the block's recovery.
Timeline
2017: The U.S. Custom House sold for $30 million.
2023: The Washington Center became a known hub for drug trafficking.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026: The renovated space opens to the public at 4 p.m.
Beyond the Bridges
This project follows the 2017 $30 million sale of the U.S. Custom House as a marker of private capital flow into the city center. It functions as a grassroots attempt to shift the block's current trajectory following recent public safety concerns.
You can visit the new space during the open house starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Tickets for the earlier 4 p.m. launch event are available for $50.
The takeaway
Owners are betting that downtown recovery happens when work and leisure share the same address. Check the 7:30 p.m. music schedule on Tuesday to see if this new model aligns with your hybrid work week.
Further reading
For more information on how the city is adapting to shifting office environments, see our coverage of Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
Live Poll
Will the blend of coworking and bar space successfully help revive Portland's downtown business core?
