About Our Next Keller
When Keller Fountain first opened in the 1960s, Ada Louise Huxtable wrote that it “may be one of the most important urban spaces since the Renaissance.”
As the final piece of the Portland Open Space Sequence — a series of interactive fountains, plazas, and connecting pathways — the Keller Fountain ushered in a new kind of inviting, interactive urban space that made the Portland downtown a place to enjoy and have fun.
Just as the Keller Fountain was an integral piece of Portland’s revitalization in the 1960s, the Keller Auditorium presents an opportunity to lean in to Portland’s history while investing in its future.
The Keller Auditorium has served the greater Portland region for more than 100 years and is the only theater in the Portland area capable of hosting Broadway performances, large operas, and ballet productions.
Our Next Keller is a commitment to transform Portland’s iconic Keller Auditorium into a 21st-century-destination.
A Fountain District Renaissance
The Fountain District, Portland’s Central City south neighborhood, is a vibrant, walkable urban region full of restaurants, hotels, local businesses and residences.
As the visionary steward of the Fountain District, the Halprin Landscape Conservancy is leading the reimagined Keller Auditorium project as part of its mission to activate, improve and maintain the Portland Open Space Sequence. The Keller is an essential catalyst for Portland’s comeback and arts-and-culture economy, but it needs to be renovated in order to effectively serve our community.
A restored and expanded Keller Auditorium alongside the Keller Fountain will be powerful public attractors. By strengthening the connection between these two landmarks and developing a plaza with integrated programming, the Fountain District can welcome a diverse and expanded audience year round.