Portland City Hall, Portland

Portland City Hall serves as the central hub for the city's government. Situated on an elevated position, it forms the core of a group of civic buildings at the eastern end of downtown. Constructed between 1909 and 1912, the building's historical significance led to its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The City Hall has three stories with roof dormers and a low balustrade. It has a 200-foot (61-meter) tower at the center. The ground floor has rounded windows, and there are three entrances with grand stairs. The central entrance has the city seal. The wings form a U-shape and have two stories with projecting colonnades and Tuscan columns. The wings have hip roofs with a decorative cornice.

Inside the City Hall, the various offices of the city are located. In addition, an annex on Myrtle Street houses the renowned Merrill Auditorium, a performance venue with a seating capacity of 1,908. Notably, the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, which was constructed in 1912, resides within this auditorium and was once the second-largest organ in the world.

The current City Hall isn't the first on this site. The original was built in 1862, replacing the 1825 hall in Market Square. Sadly, it was destroyed during the Great Fire of 1866. Another replacement, designed by Francis H. Fassett, also burned down in 1908. The present City Hall, a masterpiece by Carrere & Hastings, was built with local assistance from John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens. Inspired by NYC Hall, it's considered one of Carrere's best works.