Modernized this historic building on Banker’s Hill in downtown San Diego while preserving its original charm. Led the renovation of the old apartments into vibrant live/work spaces under LWP Group, LLC., which is known for bringing new energy to older areas of San Diego with fun, multipurpose communal spaces. Photo credit to LWP Group.
The Carnegie building located in San Diego's downtown Gaslamp District was falling apart. The 100+ year old vacant hotel had fallen into disrepair and needed some love. The LWP Group, led by Greg Strangman, who has breathed new life into communities throughout the San Diego area, once again, hired JD to lead the transformation of the historic building. Working in partnership with LWP, which managed the design and community elements, JD oversaw the complete renovation of the building, which is now home to a new generation of young community-minded renters who appreciate the character of the Gaslamp and want to be a part of an energetic life downtown. Photo credit to LWP Group.
Following the renovation of a World's Fair-era building on 2nd Street including Penthouse (also for LWP Group), founder, Greg Strangman and project manager, Michael Pandolfe, hired JD for the renovation of the Onyx building in San Diego's Gaslamp District. In many ways, the build was ground-up but required the attention to historic restoration, which resulted in a beautiful transformation of a tired old space into a modern nightclub with warm inviting lounge areas and bar tops surrounding the main dance floor brought to life by San Diego's best DJs. The Thin room offers a fresh take on the city's history while adding new style only amplified by the live entertainment and colorful light installations designed to create different moods in this energetic space. Photo credit to LWP Group.
As a fisherman who's spent a great deal of time in historic Point Loma, an older area of San Diego that has been home to generations of military and sport-fishing families, it was energizing to be contracted (once again by LWP Group) to give a new lease on life to an old run-down no-tell motel on the main drag of Rosecrans. Point Loma has been committed to keeping its WWII era charm and the city must have been excited by LWP's concept to balance modern with 50's style Route 66 destination motels complete with bar, lounge, restaurant, poolside movies and inexpensive but sleek rooms to stay the night after one too many martinis on the main floor. The Pearl is now indeed a gem of Point Loma with its refined look and retro touches enjoyed as an evening or even overnight destination for events or just dinner for two by the pool, please. Photo credit to LWP Group.
This restaurant build in downtown Tustin, California (Orange County)—in collaboration with Laidlaw Building & Development—was completed in 2018. Designed by world-renowned architect and building co-owner, Leason Pomeroy, this warm, inviting space sets the stage for an equally tantalizing menu inspired by Executive Chef, Gabbi Patrick's Yucatecan roots. The CHAAK project required many unique elements including state-of-the-art kitchen and commercial smoker + oven for roasting eclectic Mayan dishes and churning out fresh tortillas to the delight of diners who can view from the comfort of their tables all of the action in the kitchen. Probably the most noteworthy finish is the all-glass rooftop that can be opened to create an outdoor feel for patrons who continue to enjoy the cozy enclosed dining room for comida y coctels under the stars.
Anthology was an ambitious project. A massive and swank music venue in San Diego's Gaslamp District where patrons would enjoy live entertainment over dinner and cocktails while surrounded in luxury. The bar was the centerpiece of the room. The designer had an idea that would be near impossible to actually build. The planning, measurements...the detail required to get it right would be both challenging and time-consuming. Having built many bars before (and even tending bar at night while working construction by day in his earlier years), JD knew what they were asking for and he considered walking away from the bid. But he couldn't walk away. It was a challenge, and if done right, it would be one of those signature projects. This is the final result.
