Portland’s Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a 30-story tower that would become the tallest building in Maine, clearing the way for a sweeping redevelopment plan in the heart of the Old Port.
The proposed high-rise at 45 Union Street, part of the Old Port Square project, would stand about 380 feet tall and include more than 70 residential units, an 88-room hotel, commercial space, and a top-floor restaurant. The project is the first major development to take advantage of Portland’s recent zoning changes allowing buildings of similar height downtown.
Public testimony centered on concerns about traffic, the project’s impact on the city skyline, and whether the luxury units align with Portland’s affordability needs. The developers opted to pay roughly $3.3 million into the city’s housing trust fund rather than include income-restricted units on-site.
Supporters said the project would transform a long-underused parking lot into a vibrant mixed-use centerpiece, bringing new residents, visitors, and economic activity into the city’s commercial core.
With Planning Board approval secured, developers must now finalize financing, obtain building permits, and prepare construction documents. The tower requires no additional City Council approval.
If built, the 30-story structure would dramatically reshape Portland’s skyline and signal a new era of high-density development in Maine’s largest city.
