Concordia

Concordia takes its name from Concordia University, a Lutheran liberal arts college whose campus has defined the neighborhood's northeast corner since 1905. The surrounding residential streets developed steadily in the 1910s–30s as the Alberta streetcar connected the area to downtown Portland, bringing craftsman bungalows, duplexes, and a modest commercial strip along NE 33rd Avenue. For most of the 20th century, Concordia was a quiet, working-class neighborhood of Scandinavian and Eastern European immigrant families.

The neighborhood's character shifted dramatically in 1997 when McMenamins converted the shuttered Kennedy Elementary School — built in 1915 — into a sprawling pub, brewery, movie theater, soaking pool, and hotel complex. The Kennedy School transformation sparked renewed interest in the neighborhood and helped establish Concordia as a destination for food and drink tourism. The east end of the famous Alberta Arts District bleeds into Concordia along NE Alberta Street, adding galleries, boutiques, and celebrated restaurants to the mix.

Today Concordia is one of NE Portland's most sought-after neighborhoods, balancing residential quiet with genuine commercial energy. Proud Mary Coffee draws espresso pilgrims from across the city; Bollywood Theater serves acclaimed Indian street food; and New Seasons Market anchors everyday grocery needs. The neighborhood association meets regularly and works closely with the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) on livability issues ranging from traffic calming to tree canopy preservation.