Astoria waterfront’s Pier 11 changes hands

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, April 13, 2006

Situated on pilings in the Columbia River, the 17,700 sq. ft. commercial building sold for a price of $1.3 million.

“I feel I got a very fair price, and the sellers, George and Shirley Brugh, were wonderful throughout the process,” Popkin said.

Pier 11 is currently home to several retail tenants, attorney Blair Henningsgaard, and a 5,500 sq. ft. restaurant that has been shuttered since the second week of February, pending the sale. Popkin’s plans for the building are somewhat fluid, but most of his plans are firm.

“We will maintain all of our retail and commercial tenants; we have no plans to displace them,” Popkin said.

Popkin, the sole owner of Hippo Pier LLC, is working with the City of Astoria to gain approval to build a deck that will allow entry to each of the main floor, south side retail spaces from the Astoria River Walk.

Currently there is entry to Pier 11’s indoor mall area only from the Leisure Cup, one of the existing tenants. Other improvement plans call for the addition of south side windows, removing and replacing old siding, and new paint. Work on the building is expected to begin immediately.

Plans for the existing restaurant area, with its commanding view of the Columbia River, are coming together; Popkin is in final negotiations with a Portland restaurant owner.

If negotiations are fruitful, and the space is utilized as a restaurant, Popkin envisions it as a destination spot for weddings and other important events.

“I’ve also considered the possibility of doing away with the restaurant, or part of the restaurant, and turning it into retail space, office space, or even living space,” Popkin said.

One vacant main floor space of 2,500 sq. ft. is available in the building. For more information contact owner Mark Popkin at (503) 440-4200.