Jeff Swickard, president and CEO of Swickard Group, has acquired a 90% interest in Park Avenue West, the fourth-largest building in downtown Portland and the latest prominent high-rise in his nearly $250 million investment in the heart of the city over the past year.

Swickard’s commitment of more than $100 million for the majority interest in Park Avenue West represents another significant step in a deeply personal, long-term investment in Portland and its future.

His recent investments include the landmark U.S. Bancorp Tower, known as Big Pink, the Five Oak Building and BMW Portland in Goose Hollow. Together, they reflect a broader vision of helping restore downtown as a vibrant destination for working, living, shopping, dining and entertainment.

“For me, this is about much more than buying buildings,” Swickard said. “I love Portland. This is a city that has been an important part of my life, and it’s difficult to watch a place you care about struggle. I don’t want to stand on the sidelines waiting for someone else to fix it. I want to be part of the group of people willing to step forward, invest and help Portland find its way back.”

Park Avenue West, an iconic 30-story tower across from Director Park and Nordstrom at 760 S.W. Ninth Ave., opened in 2016 with a mix of luxury apartments, office space and ground-floor retail, including Pendleton Woolen Mills.

Swickard said he is especially grateful to be investing alongside the existing owners of Park Avenue West, TMT Development and others, which will retain the remaining 10% interest.

“They had the vision and courage to create one of the buildings that defines Portland’s skyline,” Swickard said. “I have tremendous respect for what they built. I feel a responsibility to honor that legacy, take care of this building and help write its next chapter.”

For Swickard, the investment is also a homecoming of sorts. A University of Oregon graduate, he has longstanding ties to the region. Swickard Auto Group operates five dealerships in Oregon, and approximately 500 of the company’s 3,000 employees live and work in the state.

Those relationships are part of why Swickard says his investment in Portland is about more than financial returns.

“I would love it if the sidewalks were busy with people working in Portland. We want the restaurants full and businesses opening. We want people to come downtown and feel the energy and optimism that made this city special in the first place.”

Swickard acknowledged that investing heavily in downtown Portland at this moment comes with uncertainty, but said that is precisely why he believes the investment matters.

“I’m not investing in Portland because its comeback is guaranteed,” Swickard said. “I’m investing because I want to help make that comeback happen.”

“And someday, when Portland is thriving again, I want to be able to look back and know that when this city needed people to believe in it, we showed up.”

About Swickard Group

Swickard Group is a diversified investment and operating company with interests in automotive retail, real estate and hospitality. The company has invested nearly $250 million in downtown Portland properties, including the U.S. Bancorp Tower, Park Avenue West, Five Oak Building and BMW Portland, as part of its long-term commitment to supporting the city’s revitalization and economic future.

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