Dekum Building

The Dekum or the Dekum Building is a historic office building in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.^[4]

The Dekum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Portland Historic Landmark[1]
Viewed from the northeast in 2019
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Location	505–519 SW 3rd Avenue Portland, Oregon
Coordinates	45°31′10″N 122°40′31″W
Built	1891–92
Architect	McCaw, Martin and White[2]
Architectural style	Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	80003363[3]
Added to NRHP	October 10, 1980

With its rusticated sandstone base, over-scaled arches at street level, and stone carvings, the eight-story building is a strong example of Romanesque Revival architecture. It was made completely from materials found in Oregon. Completed in 1892, it is named after Frank Dekum, a German immigrant who opened Portland's first candy shop. Construction cost US$300,000 in 1892, equivalent to $9,100,000 in 2023. During construction, masons reportedly drank beer instead of the usual coffee.^[2]

Notable tenants

Former

• Blueplate Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain (2006–2016)
• Wieden+Kennedy

See also

• Architecture of Portland, Oregon
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Southwest Portland, Oregon
• Frederick Manson White of McCaw, Martin and White