The building was controversial while being constructed because its location blocked the view of Mount Hood that had long been seen by drivers emerging from the Vista Ridge Tunnel under Portland's West Hills going eastbound on U.S. Route 26.

[6][10] Reflecting that goal, the southwest entrance to the KOIN Center faces its own street-corner plaza diagonally across the intersection from the Ira C. Keller Fountain, making a visual and pedestrian connection that important public space.

[1] In August 2009, these investors, including the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and CommonWealth partners, surrendered control of the KOIN Center after defaulting on their mortgage of US$70 million from the New York Life Insurance Company.

[citation needed] KOIN Tower occupies an entire city block and is clad in orange brick and trimmed with white limestone at the base; the sloping roof forming the pyramidal crown is prefinished galvanized steel.

A feature unique in Portland, and resulting from the multi-block nature of the original project, is the location of the entrance to the underground parking and loading docks on the adjacent block to the east.

[7] This spares any of the four street frontages from accommodating a parking entrance or loading dock, a distinct design advantage for a building on one of the small 200 by 200 ft (61 by 61 m) blocks typical of downtown Portland.

Floors 4 through 19 are office space, with tenants including Skanska USA Building, First American Title Insurance, ECONorthwest, Helmy Law Firm PC, Evanta, Robert Half International, Schnitzer Steel, and others.

[13] The studios and production facilities of KOIN and KRCW, Portland's CBS and The CW affiliates, occupy the basement and a portion of the ground floor.