The Loft at 8th Avenue is an exciting, modern event venue and headquarters for VT Group. We are located in the Central Eastside Industrial District near the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Our dynamic & rentable spaces are located within our main building on 8th Avenue. We are Portland’s ideal space for corporate events, weddings, non-profit auctions, social mixers, and more.
A Brief History
The Loft at 8th Avenue was originally a 16,690 square-foot warehouse built in 1965. For more than three decades, the building housed Fashion Tech, a manufacturer of window shades and blinds before becoming an artists’ colony, hosting art shows and photography exhibits.
VT Group, parent company of Vibrant Table Catering & Events, purchased the property in April 2015 and with the help of Scott Edwards Architecture, transformed the building into a catering and event space. Kurt Beadell and Art Fortuna merged Vibrant Table and sister company, Food in Bloom Catering, into a larger, more centralized hub for their growing hospitality group.
In renovating the space, VT Group was able to create a customizable industrial kitchen, optimized for functionality and scalability. In addition, several components of the space were redeveloped with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind.
What makes the The Loft at 8th Avenue So Unique?
The Loft at 8th Avenue is the only event venue of its kind in Portland. The building features five multi-functional spaces including an indoor/outdoor Annex space, two tasting rooms, green room and an industrial-sized catering kitchen. The Loft has the capacity to execute diverse catering and event needs including multi-day conferences, intimate social gatherings, weddings and non-profit galas.
Situated in the Central Eastside Industrial District (CEID), the building features easy freeway access and short walking distance to both Downtown and the Central Eastside.
Entrance
Guests enter through the main foyer via the entrance on 8th Avenue and are then guided to their appropriate event space.
Additional Information
ADA Accessible
The Loft at 8th Avenue fully complies with ADA guidelines. Please inquire about guests with special needs.
Parking
Free street Parking is available near the building and varies from 2-3 hours (during daytime hours) to all-day.
Please inquire with your event planner regarding valet service.
The Loft at 8th Avenue partners with award-winning Vibrant Table Catering & Events part of VT Group. View our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement.
Achievements
- Achievement in catering excellence – Catersource and Leading caterers of America
- Best Oregon caterer – NW Meeting + Events Magazine
- Best Portland Caterer – Oregon Bride magazine
- Couple’s Choice – Wedding Wire
- The Best of Weddings – the Knot
- Best of Portland – Willamette week
Proud Members of
- Leading caterers of America
- Sustainability at work gold certified Portland
- ILEA – international live events association
- Art of Weddings
- Portland business alliance
- Travel Portland business partner
- The Knot
- Wedding Wire
- Gay Weddings