Encinal Place at 2300-2306 Encinal Avenue: A Critical Corner Transformed
By Chris Buckley
Award Recipients: Minh and Francesca Nguyen, owners and archi- tect; City of Alameda Development Services Department, Façade Grant Program
According to George Gunn’s Documentation of Victorian and post Victorian Residential and Commercial Buildings City of Alameda 1854 to 1904, 2300- 2306 Encinal Avenue was built in 1886 at a cost of $6,000. The owner was.
J. Maristany and the builder was Cyrus A. Brown, who sometimes called himself an architect. Over the years, the building experienced various remodelings. In one of them, likely in the 1920s or 1930s, the
original Victorian storefronts were redesigned in an early twentieth century style with transom windows and red tile wall surfaces. Later remodelings were less sympathetic, covering over the transom windows and three of the five store- fronts with plywood. For many years the three eastern storefronts were occupied by the well known Iron Island Gym.
Current owners Minh and Francesca Nguyen bought the building in 2004. Minh is an architect and designed the project. His firm, Acanthus Architecture and Design, specializes in restoration projects. The building was returned to its 1920s-1930s design in two phases, naming the completed project ‘Encinal Place.’ Phase One, in October 2004 to May 2005, was the most extensive, con- sisting of the three eastern store fronts, including new display windows, new transom windows, recessed entries, new main entry doors and tile wall surfaces.
Phase Two, in 2008, restored the remaining two storefronts.
The wood transom windows are Marvin, the new traditional wood doors with single glass panels are by S. A. Russo Window and Door in Oakland and the tile is by B &W Tile in Los Angeles. The new display windows, fabricated by American Glazing and Aluminum in Martinez, have wood frames and fea- ture butted glass corners at the entry recesses.
Two City of Alameda façade grants helped fund the façade improvements for each phase. One of the five colorful- ly artistic blade signs for the storefronts was funded through an additional façade grant to the tenant.
Other work included a complete struc- tural retrofit, interior remodeling of the three eastern store spaces and improve-
ments to the rear yard area off Oak Street, including a new lawn area and fence. Future improvements planned include awnings and, with City approval, street trees and sidewalk benches.
Encinal Place is one of many projects partnering with the City through the Façade Grant Program. The Program’s goal is good design based on historic preservation with 80% funding by the City, the remaining 20% coming from the grantee. Redevelopment funds have been the foundation of the pro- gram since its inception approximately 10 years ago. About a dozen of these projects have received AAPS Preservation Awards.
The completed project provides a fitting anchor to Encinal Avenue’s important western gateway to the historic Park Street Business District.
PDF 
