Swap-and-Share Pantry a Highlight of Oregon Mixed-Use Community

For its Mercato Grove project in Lake Oswego, Oregon, developer High Street Residential’s primary objective was to establish an urban village that blends a residential and retail experience. The resulting mixed-use community weaves urban amenities within the character of the existing suburban setting to create a new town center, with 50,000 square feet of retail and 206 apartments sited on roughly 7 acres. The project, designed by architecture firm SERA Architects and interior designer CID Design Group, is the 2022 MFE grand winner for best amenity.

The public-facing retail is organized around a festival street atmosphere with a mix of businesses around internal parking and outdoor gathering areas, including a domestic duck habitat and two art pieces.

Residents have access to an extensive amenity collection. One of the highlights is the swap-and-share pantry, which allows residents to rent specialized kitchen or crafting equipment, such as a pasta maker, a sewing machine, an ice cream maker, or event place settings. The amenity encourages residents to be a bit more ambitious with their culinary and crafting adventures, and allows them to test equipment prior to purchasing it for themselves or to just use on occasion.

Additional amenities include a spa and sauna, a makerspace with a kitchen, a mini crafter room and children’s playhouse, a co-working space and private meeting rooms, an arcade and game room, a pet spa, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool.