This 1920’s Italianate bank and office building is a designated landmark of the City of Buenaventura.
Once housing the offices of author Erle Stanley Gardner, of Perry Mason fame, its interiors had become shabby and disjointed after decades of clumsy, piecemeal repairs and remodels. Directed by an enlightened new owner, this project renovated the common areas, providing ADA, life-safety and energy efficiency upgrades, in a manner that enhances its historic character.
A new accessible entry door and elevator cab were inserted into the renovated lobby. Stone wainscots were restored while new flooring replaced damaged marble. A clumsy makeshift directory and mailboxes were replaced, and new accessories integrated into the space.
The open public stairwell was refurbished with new finishes and lighting throughout. At the corridors, old T-Bar ceilings with fluorescent lighting were removed and the ceilings raised to include decorative plaster coffer beams that conceal new mechanical and electrical conduits. New finishes include hardwood floors, paneled wainscoting and signage. New efficient LED lighting was used throughout.
The original toilet rooms were gutted and brought up to current accessibility standards with new tile and stone finishes related to the new lobby. Hidden infrastructure improvements included new electrical and communications services and systems, as well as a state of the art VRF-HVAC system. New emergency lighting, fire separations, smoke detection and alarm systems were discreetly inserted.
The renovated 1st National meets 21st century needs while preserving its historic fabric. We’d like to think
Erle Stanley Gardner, and Perry Mason, would be proud!
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