Sagamore Hill 

A West End Bar Celebrating Portland’s Nautical Heritage and Teddy Roosevelt’s Legacy 

The Challenge

The clients wanted to transform part of an oversized apartment building lobby in Portland’s West End into a bar that blended Teddy Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill trophy room aesthetic with Portland’s hip, contemporary vibe. The space sits a few feet above street level, meaning the ceiling would need to function as a second facade, visible to passersby looking in from the street, which would require extra-special design attention and consideration. 

The Design Solution

We preserved and integrated the existing architectural character, restoring the original mosaic floor to its former luster and maintaining the large arched windows. The space needed a strong identity that honored both Portland’s nautical traditions and Roosevelt’s summer White House without feeling heavy or overly theatrical. 

The ceiling became the design feature with wooden elements arranged to evoke both a ship’s hull and elephant tusks, referencing Sagamore Hill’s famous trophy room. The ceiling sits as a visual focal point from the outside, drawing people in while establishing the bar’s unique character. The wooden elements are paired with brass fittings and details, creating a refined, lodge-like experience. 

Artfully placed taxidermy, both real and sculptural, reinforces the trophy room theme without overwhelming the space. The approach uses smaller individual components that together create a larger sculptural impact, balancing intimate human scale with dramatic architectural gesture. 

Details

Seats: 60
Materials: Walnut, brass, painted corrugated metal, polished terrazzo

Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Project Architect: Jamie Broadbent - contributed to project while an employee at Kaplan Thompson Architects
Builder: Burnham & Lobozzo
Photographer: Ashley Dingess Photography + Might & Main