by Katie Dunn |
After many months of construction, the Pilot House renovation is coming to an end. There are some things students know about, like the bar, but also a few things that may be a surprise. Here’s a breakdown of what The Beacon knows about the new space:
https://youtu.be/AXPfKGbFyXI
Practical Information:
- Construction will be completed on Oct. 16.
- Students can enjoy the new space after fall break.
- There will be a dedication on the 29th and the first Pilots After Dark event on the 30th.
What to do inside:
- The bar will be an espresso bar until 4 p.m. when it’ll switch to serving beer and wine.
- There is a fireplace with lots of seating near the bar area.
- Mack’s Market has moved to the back of the Pilot House.
- The kitchen has more than doubled in size, which means there will be even more food from stations like the new rotisserie.
- To get food, walk up to the counter and order, and food will be picked up from a nearby separate counter.
- At night, it is very likely that food will be brought to tables by servers.
- There will be lots of seating, including big community tables, high and low tops.
- For events, there’s a stage in the middle with new lighting.
What to do outside:
- There’s lots of seating outside as well, likely high and low top tables.
- For the months of the year that it’s cold, there are outdoor heaters and a fireplace.
- The space can be opened up by the glass garage doors that go over the big window openings.
- The view into the East Quad is unobstructed.
Extras:
- The bar top is going to be a big piece of walnut from one tree.
- There will be scenes of Portland under the bar top.
- On the wall by the bar, there is an etching of the secondary anchor and wheel logo.
- The wood wall that lines the entire back was designed by architect Isaac Harris of Soderstrom Architects, the firm on the project.
- The lights are on dimmers and some focus daylight instead of using fluorescent lighting.
- President Fr. Mark Poorman is very invested in the project, even down to the shrubbery by the brick walls. “People are like ‘The president cares about the landscaping?’ I care about the landscaping!” Poorman said.
