115 W 6th St
Eugene, OR 97401
Heron Building · Office Property For Sale

The crown jewel of the Heron Building is, appropriately, the bronze heron, clad in gold and rising from the highest point on the tower roof. Designer and developer Lucy Lamkin insisted on a functional weathervane that would rotate in the wind even though decorative & stationary vanes have become the norm. That choice is emblematic of the values that form the core of this downtown landmark: solidity, authenticity, craftsmanship and legacy. A heron was chosen as the building’s inspiration and namesake after the death in 1996 of Eli Emery, Lamkin’s son. The industrious and loyal bird became a symbol of Eli’s courageous spirit, and the Heron Building project became an opportunity for Lamkin & her husband David Lunney to honor Eli’s life by creating a structure that would stand the test of time. The Heron Building represents the harkening back to a passion for design and fine craftsmanship that had once been a staple of Eugene’s downtown. The building is located at the busy corner of Sixth Avenue and Olive Street, in a location formerly occupied by the Eugene Farmers Creamery and currently next to the popular and eclectic Farmers Union Marketplace, which Lamkin also had a hand in helping to restore. The construction of the Heron Building was a labor of love, with no detail overlooked and no corner cut. The Italianate design with its soft embellishment is based on the sculptural stability of historic buildings in small towns throughout Oregon, as well as the timeless beauty of classic Western structures. The building was built to California earthquake code, which is rare for the area and insures construction made to last. The interior is designed with transparency and authenticity in mind: high ceilings allow for an airy feel to the interior spaces. Windows in all offices are fully functional and open to aid airflow and temperature control. The lobby centerpiece, the oak staircase, features wooden treads and an artisanal “belly picket” iron railing The walls are traditional stucco, supporting retention of heat in winter and breathability in the summer. The Heron Building has a welcoming, professional atmosphere. Additionally, the building boasts playful details like copper gargoyles peeking out from the roof ridge and a large labyrinth outside the building. It has a human-centered design, and reveals the time and love invested in this building from local artists and architects. The Heron Building encompasses 40,000 square feet of high quality office space across three floors and retains several of the tenants from its opening in 2000. Upon the completion of its construction, the building won WBGS Architecture & Planning the People’s Choice Award of First Place for a Commercial Project by The Southwestern Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. In the lobby, there is a plaque proudly on display, thanking all the people who used their time and talents to make the dream of the Heron Building a reality. “A very diverse team of people put a lot of thought & effort into making this building a livable space, where tenants will spend their working hours. And that mattered to me,” Lamkin said. The Heron Building, crowned by a glittering heron, has become the crown jewel of the new downtown Eugene.