Bigger, better: Lan Su Chinese Garden plans ambitious expansion

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025

A great many people love to visit Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St. in Old Town Portland, especially during the Lunar New Year. It’s an oasis in the city — with a really cool teahouse.

Now it’s going to get bigger and (likely) better.

Elizabeth Nye, executive director, announced plans for Lan Su Chinese Garden expansion.

Nye’s comments, from publicity:

“The Year of the Snake brings us renewal and transformation. With this spirit of growth and connection in mind, I am thrilled to announce that we are embarking on an exciting new chapter in Lan Su’s journey. We have plans to expand our footprint and enrich our cultural and community programming. This expansion will take place on Portland’s Block 24, between Northwest Flanders and Glisan streets, and will include an array of new spaces: classrooms, meeting rooms, an art gallery, performance spaces, a demonstration kitchen, and banquet facilities. The outdoor areas will feature plazas, greenhouses, and medicinal and penjing gardens, further enhancing the visitor experience.

“Much like how the opening of Lan Su transformed Old Town nearly 25 years ago, we believe this expansion will transform how we serve the community for generations to come. It will allow us to welcome more visitors, host larger school groups, and create dynamic exhibition spaces to showcase the richness of Chinese culture and the AANHPI experience.”

It’s estimated to be a multi-million dollar project.

She said that Lan Su has hired architecture firm Gene Sandoval of ZGF, who recently completed the redesign of the Portland International Airport, to develop a conceptual plan, and it has launched an economic analysis along with Prosper Portland.

Nye said that Lan Su welcomes about 100,000 visitors each year.

In May 2024, the garden announced a name for the teahouse.

The new name Yun Shui means “clouds and water” in Mandarin Chinese — a fitting name for a Chinese garden and oasis in the Old Town Chinatown area of Portland.

The reimagined teahouse also has a new food and drink menu.

More: lansugarden.org.