MyLivingChoice

The Watermark at the Pearl

1540 NW 13th Avenue

4.7(130 ratings)· Portland average: 4

Part of Watermark Retirement Communities · 24 communities · 4.7★ average

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Quick Facts

Starting price
$3,795/mo
Licensed capacity
109 residents

Oregon ODHS

Rental model
Month-to-month rental, no buy-in fee
Pricing structure
Care costs rise via point-based tiered pricing
Memory care layout
Memory care unit separate, requires staff escort for amenities
Pet accommodations
On-site dog park for resident pets

What Families Think

An automated summary of family reviews and public information. Not verified by MyLivingChoice; confirm services, staffing and pricing with the community.

Families overwhelmingly praise The Watermark at the Pearl's independent and assisted living experience, highlighting the striking building, attentive staff, and lively dining scene in Portland's Pearl District. However, a distinct and recurring pattern of serious concerns centers on the memory care unit, where multiple families report chronic leadership turnover, thin staffing, and lapses in basic care that stand in sharp contrast to the praise for the rest of the community.

What reviewers praise

  • Modern, light-filled building with river and mountain views
  • Staff frequently praised by name for warmth and responsiveness
  • Multiple on-site restaurants with well-reviewed food
  • Central, walkable Pearl District location
  • No buy-in fee, simple month-to-month rental
  • Valet parking and on-site dog park for residents

What reviewers flag

  • Multiple reports of high turnover among memory care directors
  • Several accounts of understaffing and neglect in memory care
  • Memory care costs rise via a points-based tiered pricing system
  • One report of racial slurs used by staff with poor management response
  • A few complaints about late-night construction/maintenance noise disturbing residents

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

The Watermark at the Pearl is a senior living community in Portland, Oregon offering Assisted Living, Memory Care and Independent Living. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Published pricing starts around $3,795 per month. Families rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 130 reviews.

About The Watermark at the Pearl

The Watermark at the Pearl is an independent living and assisted living community in Portland, Oregon, operated by MorningStar Senior Living. The community features private rooms with private bathrooms, 24-hour staff, an on-site registered nurse, medication management, and wheelchair accessibility across multiple floor plans.

Amenities include a restaurant-style dining room, gathering and activity spaces, a gym, art studio, library, and outdoor space, along with housekeeping and laundry services. The community also operates a separate memory care unit called the Gardens.

Reviews are mixed. Positive reviewers consistently praised the building's architectural design, light-filled spaces, professional staff during the sales process, and the amenities available to independent and assisted living residents. However, several reviewers with family members in memory care reported concerns about staffing levels, high staff turnover, communication with management, and care quality issues. One reviewer wrote, "Staffing was not sufficient for the level of acuity of some residents." Experiences in independent and assisted living appear more favorable than those described in memory care.

Types of Care at The Watermark at the Pearl

Assisted LivingIndependent LivingMemory Care

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Emergency Call System
  • Multiple Floor Plans
  • Private Bathroom
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Meals & Dining

  • Restaurant style Dining Room

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Nurse (RN)

Activities

  • Social Activities

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Reviews of The Watermark at the Pearl

4.7overall · 130 ratings combined

4.7★ on Google (130)

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Ashley Blair

Aug 2026

via Google ↗

Leaving one star is generous for this grossly negligent company. If you are needing assisted living or memory care, RUN don’t walk to another facility. My father was here for 7 months and was sent to the hospital 9 times. Most of those could have been avoided if their staff wasn’t grossly neglecting him. Shockingly, he has not been hospitalized once at his new assisted living home and is thriving. Watermark likes to push their fancy new accommodations to suck people in, but really just caters and cares about its rich white residents on the independent side. I am planning to take my concerns to legislators this fall.

Bess Lindahl

Jul 2026

via Google ↗

I am so grateful for the community and team at Watermark at the Pearl in Portland, Oregon. I recently worked with Annie Whitlock, the sales counselor, along with the activity and nursing directors, to help a family move their mom here from Montana.<br><br>An interstate move is always difficult, and every senior living transition comes with its own unique challenges. Senior living, by nature, involves complicated and emotional decisions, and there are always problems to solve when helping someone make a major move at this stage of life. What makes the difference is the team surrounding the resident and family, and this team truly made all the difference.<br><br>Annie and the team went above and beyond to support both the new resident and her family throughout the transition. They were thoughtful, responsive, creative, and deeply committed to helping this move be set up for success. One of the most meaningful examples was the way they worked to help the resident find a specific church community in Portland. They even visited the pastor’s office themselves to help ensure she would feel spiritually and emotionally supported in her new environment.<br><br>That level of care and follow-through is rare, and it speaks volumes about the heart of this team. I am very grateful for Annie, the activity director, the nursing director, and everyone at Watermark at the Pearl who helped make this transition as smooth and supportive as possible.

Laura Cohen

Jul 2026

via Google ↗

We are so grateful for the warm welcome our mom received - even before she moved in. Staff and residents alike really helped our mom feel like she was home. We know our mom will thrive in her new environment and look forward to many meaningful moments ahead for her! Thank you to everyone at The Watermark!!

kristin virshbo

Jun 2026

via Google ↗

We toured the Watermark as a potential place for a loved one. We were so impressed by the staff and the facility! It is beautiful, modern, and lively. The residents we met couldn't say enough nice things, either. What a great place!

Patricia Clements

Jun 2026

via Google ↗

We had a guided tour of the Watermark at the Pearl by Amanda Harding (she is amazing) and I was truly in awe of what a senior living community could be! Every detail of the building was thoughtfully designed, and I love that they have a focus on environmentally friendly practices. They have many wonderful community activities, and I was impressed with their restaurant options, the food was delicious! To top it off, you get a luxury living experience for a very reasonable cost. I would have zero hesitation recommending this community to my clients and my own family.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does The Watermark at the Pearl offer?

The Watermark at the Pearl offers Assisted Living, Independent Living and Memory Care.

How much does The Watermark at the Pearl cost?

Published pricing at The Watermark at the Pearl starts around $3,795 per month. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment selection; contact the community for a detailed quote.

Where is The Watermark at the Pearl located?

The Watermark at the Pearl is located at 1540 NW 13th Avenue in Portland, Oregon.

What do families say about The Watermark at the Pearl?

Families overwhelmingly praise The Watermark at the Pearl's independent and assisted living experience, highlighting the striking building, attentive staff, and lively dining scene in Portland's Pearl District. However, a distinct and recurring pattern of serious concerns centers on the memory care unit, where multiple families report chronic leadership turnover, thin staffing, and lapses in basic care that stand in sharp contrast to the praise for the rest of the community.

How can families visit The Watermark at the Pearl?

Submit the Request Information form on this page, or contact The Watermark at the Pearl directly, to arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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