The project is being brought to life through a partnership between East Brown Cow and Safdie Architects, with award-winning design studios Pentagram and Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture playing key roles in shaping the project's vision.
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East Brown Cow (EBC) and its affiliates comprise a real estate investment, development and management company, established in the summer of 1989 by Tim Soley as a first-generation family business. Since that time, the portfolio has grown significantly and now includes over 20 assets in Maine's greater Portland urban area, including over 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use office, retail, hospitality space and structured parking.
Safdie Architects is a design studio driven by a spirit of innovation and idealism, founded upon the guiding principles that architecture should be inherently timeless, connected to nature, and profoundly humane. The firm's philosophy is rooted in Moshe Safdie's powerful metaphor: "For Everyone a Garden", the beautifully simple notion that sees architecture as a generous act of connecting us to nature and creating meaningful spaces of community that serve as catalysts for vibrant public life.
Pentagram is a multidisciplinary, independently owned design studio. The firm’s work lies at the intersection of image-making, branding, communications, and the built environment. Michael Gericke leads Pentagram’s Old Port Square team, whose experience includes shaping the visual language of iconic brands, civic and cultural institutions, buildings, and public spaces. Their projects are recognized for capturing and portraying a place’s unique spirit and character.
Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture (MBLA) is a design studio committed to creating meaningful places through the artful integration of natural systems and cultural expression. Our work seeks to reveal the inherent qualities of each site while crafting spaces that enhance the human experience of place.
Established in 1972, Thos. Moser is a handcrafted furniture company that was founded in New Gloucester, Maine. Guided by a mission to build furniture that celebrates the natural beauty of wood, Thos. Moser is well-known for its attention to craftsmanship and detail. Through a creative collaboration with Safdie Architects, Thos. Moser was commissioned to create custom, handcrafted benches – a unique design feature which can be found throughout the interior spaces of Old Port Square.
Dana Street is a restaurateur based in Portland. Beginning with the establishment of Street & Co. in 1989, Dana Street has played a vital role in elevating Portland's food scene to a level of national acclaim, including James Beard Foundation recognition. Today, Portland's food scene continues to garner widespread attention, with well-established and up-and-coming chefs bringing their cuisine to the Old Port.
Rough & Tumble opened their doors at Old Port Square in October 2024. A nationally and internationally acclaimed Maine-based retailer, Rough & Tumble is best known for a core collection of understated, utilitarian leather and waxed canvas handbags. Located on the ground floor of 176 Middle Street, Rough & Tumble's flagship store is a testament to the success of unique, Maine-based businesses, and adds vibrancy to Old Port Square's retail corridor.