• East Brown Cow Management and Safdie Architects propose a 30-story, 380-foot tower named Old Port Square, potentially Maine's tallest building, in Portland's Old Port.
• The project aims to revitalize a 4-acre site with retail, restaurants, hotels, residences, offices, parking, and community space, inspired by Maine lighthouses.
• The development follows updated zoning rules allowing taller buildings and seeks to enhance Portland's economic vibrancy and create a 24/7 urban center.

East Brown Cow Management Company, in collaboration with Safdie Architects, has announced plans for 'Old Port Square', a major development project in Portland, Maine. The centerpiece of the project is a proposed 30-story tower, reaching 380 feet, intended to be Maine's tallest building. The development aims to transform a 4-acre site in the Old Port area into a vibrant urban center with residential, commercial, and public spaces. The design, led by Moshe Safdie, draws inspiration from Maine's lighthouses, seeking to create an iconic structure that contributes to the city's identity. The project follows the city's recent adoption of new land use codes that allow for increased building heights and is currently awaiting approval from Portland's Planning and Urban Development department.

• What: Development of 'Old Port Square,' including a 30-story tower with residential, hotel, retail, and public spaces.
• Who: East Brown Cow Management Company, Safdie Architects, Tim Soley, Moshe Safdie, Portland Planning Board, Kevin Kraft, Cary Tyson.
• When: Plans unveiled May 7, 2025; Previous proposal in 2019; Construction potentially starting in 2027; Canal Plaza revitalization since 2009; New land use code adopted in November 2024.
• Where: Portland, Maine, specifically the Old Port area and Canal Plaza Block at 45 Union St.

The Old Port Square development represents a significant potential transformation for Portland, Maine. The proposed 30-story tower, inspired by Maine's lighthouses, aims to create a new urban landmark while revitalizing the Old Port area. The project's success hinges on obtaining approval from the Portland Planning Board and aligning with the city's updated land use codes, Recode. The revitalization of Canal Plaza, ongoing since 2009, sets the stage for this ambitious development. The project's potential impact extends beyond aesthetics, aiming to boost economic viability and create a vibrant 24/7 urban center. While the height of the tower could be controversial, developers emphasize its role in enhancing the city's identity and attracting visitors, residents, and businesses.

"This tower that's designed here, the beacon, has the potential in my opinion to become a beloved building. A beloved building means that it will become part of the identity of the city."

"It is never possible to satisfy everyone, but I think it's important to do this to increase the economic viability and the vibrancy of the city."

"Old Port Square was born from this idea that we could fix what was torn asunder and enhance with modern architecture that could also speak to where Portland, and Maine, is going...This new identity, Old Port Square, simply puts a name to this district that is already vibrant, active and thriving."

"The project's breakthrough was the day we latched onto the idea that this is a beacon. It's a lighthouse in the tradition of the lighthouses of Portland, those slender, beautiful structures that rise out of the land or out of the water, that become icons in the landscape for good purpose."

The proposed Old Port Square development, highlighted by a 30-story tower, represents a bold vision for Portland's future. It addresses a need for increased density and revitalization of underutilized spaces while paying homage to the city's maritime heritage. The project's success depends on navigating the approval process and garnering community support. If realized, Old Port Square has the potential to significantly reshape Portland's skyline, economy, and urban landscape, creating a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. The groundbreaking is projected for 2027, pending approvals.