What Jackstraw’s New Rents Mean for Bend

Prices came in higher than a 2023 forecast, but Jackstraw still adds homes, walkability, and energy to our downtown.

If you’ve driven near the Box Factory lately, you’ve seen Jackstraw rising. It sits as a seven-story, mixed-use community between downtown and the Old Mill. A recent Bend Bulletin report said the first advertised rents are higher than what a 2023 financial review expected. It also reminded readers that the project received a 10-year, $10.6 million property-tax exemption designed to help big housing projects pencil out.

So what should Bend residents (and future Bend residents) make of that? Here’s the simple version.

The quick take

  • Yes, the initial asking rents are above the 2023 forecast. That has sparked debate.
  • Developers and the City still back the project. Their view: Jackstraw helps hit Bend’s housing-production goals, and more homes downtown can ease pressure across the market over time.
  • It’s not “affordable housing,” but it does add supply in a central location, near jobs, transit, trails, and services, which can help stabilize overall rents in the long run.

What Jackstraw brings

  • 313 new homes in a walkable, bike-friendly spot, close to the river, restaurants, and retail.
  • Ground-floor shops and services that make daily life easier. Announced tenants include well-known regional brands and local favorites, with more to come.
  • Community design touches, like a plaza-style connector between Jackstraw and the Box Factory (think events, markets, and easy cross-access).

Timing and location

Jackstraw sits at Industrial Way and Lava Road, right between downtown and the Old Mill. Pre-leasing began this summer, with first move-ins slated to start in the fall. For people who want an urban-style lifestyle in Bend: coffee downstairs, a quick walk to the river trail, this is prime positioning.

Why a tax exemption at all?

Large, steel-and-concrete projects are expensive to build, especially structured parking and mid-rise construction. Bend’s tax-exemption tool can be used to close financing gaps when a project would otherwise stall. The 2023 review found Jackstraw needed help to be viable; the City approved the exemption to unlock more housing in the core. Reasonable people can disagree on the policy, but the goal is straightforward: more homes where infrastructure already exists.

What it means for renters and buyers

  • Renters: Expect brand-new finishes, amenities, and a location that can reduce car use. Compare total “cost of living,” not just rent. Downtown living can save on gas, second-car costs, and time.
  • Buyers: New apartments won’t replace the need for for-sale homes, but added rental supply helps balance demand. That can support a healthier, steadier market for everyone.
  • Everyone: More neighbors downtown means stronger small businesses, safer streets, and a livelier year-round scene.

Our take

As a real-estate team that lives and works here, we want Bend to stay welcoming, livable, and future-ready. Jackstraw isn’t a silver bullet, and debate is healthy. But adding hundreds of homes, daily-life retail, and true walkability in the heart of town is a step in the right direction.

A hopeful note for Bend

Bend is still Bend: sunny skies, mountain views, and a community that shows up for each other. With thoughtful growth, we can keep what we love and make room for more neighbors. If you’re thinking about a move to Central Oregon, or you’re already here and exploring options, we’d love to help you find the right fit—downtown, river-adjacent, or anywhere the trail leads next.