Holst Architecture was given the task of turning the Pullman Wine Bar & Merchant into a cafe that feels like a cave, while still utilizing the appeal of the surrounding neighborhood charm.

With Pullman Wine Bar & Merchant, David Machado Restaurants brings a new concept to Portland’s Lloyd District. Located in the southwest corner of the Hotel Eastlund, Pullman occupies a formerly empty retail space facing the Convention Center. To accommodate a range of functions—retail shop, tasting bar, private dining room, and prep kitchen—the design reclaims further square footage from the hotel parking garage. The sequence of spaces progresses from the public to private and creates a range of experiences in less than two thousand square feet.

The wine shop sells bottles as well as ships by the case nationally, while the bar focuses on select wines from the Pacific Northwest. The wine inventory is developed and maintained by award-winning wine consultant, David Holstrom.

Custom mahogany millwork, raw steel, slate tile, and polished concrete bring a modern aesthetic to the feeling of a rustic wine cellar. The materials were chosen for their ability to wear well and develop a patina over time. Open storage for cases and bottles, along with a state of the art, self-service, commercial cruvinet system, enables patrons to peruse and explore Pullman’s wine offerings on their own. Locally manufactured custom tables, an intimate bar, and the private dining room welcome a range of groups of locals and visitors.

The private dining room seats twenty-four guests in a wine cave-like room that channels a European, old-world aesthetic with vaulted ceilings and a dark, moody color palette. The slope of the sidewalk outside enhances the feeling of descending into an underground wine cave. Pullman’s novel concept and thoughtful design have combined to create a new attraction in the burgeoning Convention Center neighborhood.

Design: Holst Architecture Photography: Lara Swimmer

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