Dekum Building

The Dekum
Portland Historic Landmark[2]
Viewed from the northeast in 2019
Dekum Building is located in Portland, Oregon
Dekum Building
Dekum Building is located in Oregon
Dekum Building
Dekum Building is located in the United States
Dekum Building
Location505–519 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon
Coordinates45°31′10″N 122°40′31″W / 45.519464°N 122.675225°W / 45.519464; -122.675225
Built1891–92
ArchitectMcCaw, Martin and White[3]
Architectural styleRomanesque
NRHP reference No.80003363[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 10, 1980

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]

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.[3]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ Portland Historic Landmarks Commission (July 2010), Historic Landmarks -- Portland, Oregon (XLS), retrieved October 31, 2013.
  3. ^ a b King, Bart (2001). An Architectural Guidebook to Portland. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 0-87905-991-5.
  4. ^ McMath, George A. (March 20, 1980). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form". National Park Service. Retrieved February 25, 2016.