Napa’s historic 1930’s era Spanish Colonial Revival Gordon Building, known for its intricate terracotta exterior, architectural design and elaborate details, damaged by the South Napa earthquake in 2014, required seismic retrofitting and extensive interior and exterior restoration and repair.
The historic value of this particular building demanded special care in several aspects of the restoration. An interior shoring system was erected to support the building while, unreinforced masonry walls were removed and repaired and a new structural steel brace frame and foundations were installed. Per the Napa Historical Society’s direction, 35% of the building’s original finishes from 1929 were restored, per direction of the Napa County Historical Society, including ~400 linear feet of plaster crown molding, original plaster wall finishes and mezzanines. The scope also included repairing grout of existing stone walls; complete structural upgrade of wood wall and floor systems, removal, renovation and reinstallation of historic windows; plaster crack repair; new restrooms and a new elevator.
The project has been recognized both as a North Bay Business Journal Top Project of 2020 and with an Award of Merit for preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse by the Napa County Landmarks organization.
