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.
Martin was LWP’s inaugural Community@ location. The main building was constructed in 1925 on Bankers Hill, an upscale neighborhood North of Downtown San Diego. In 1961, several detached apartments were added to the property.
Community@ Martin residents enjoy proximity to San Diego’s world-famous cultural + architectural marvel, Balboa Park.
The surrounding area is mostly residential and comprised of older homes (several, in Victorian tradition) and classic courtyard apartments, modern homes + new, mixed-use condominiums.
Location: Bankers Hill, walking distance to Balboa Park & Downtown, and near independent restaurant and retail clusters Number of Units: 32
Unit Types: Predominantly studios; 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom (Flats only)
Photo Credit: 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, brought me on to lead the transformation of the historic building.
Working in partnership with LWP, which managed the design and community elements, I 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 high-energy downtown living.
Originally built in 1912, this modified five-story Italian Renaissance structure houses 61 units. When originally built, it was the largest apartment house constructed in San Diego.
Local historians reference the building to exemplify the distinctive characteristics of a type, period and method of Italian Renaissance construction and the work of master architects, The Quayle Brothers.
Photo Credit: 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 me 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.
Community at the Onyx Building is a three-story mixed-use property located in the heart of the popular Gaslamp Quarter. It is an ideal creative and entrepreneurial hub that features ground floor commercial space, second-floor executive/work suites, and a third-floor, single-tenant space.
Listed as Building 27 on the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation’s architectural guide, the property was built in 1910. The upper floors once comprised a hotel, while the lower level was home to commercial tenants such as San Diego Gas & Electric.
Historically, Onyx Building occupants have benefitted from its convenient, central location, a fact that remains with the 2022 arrival of the reimagined Horton Plaza – a new tech-focused campus with retail, a public park, and more.
Location: Downtown, heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, ideally located, short walk to courthouses, walk to Horton Plaza
Number of Units: 15 executive/work suites
Photo Credit: LWP Group
This restaurant build in downtown Tustin, California (Orange County)—in collaboration with Laidlaw Building & Development—was completed in 2018.
I was contracted by LBD to take over as superintendent of this build in its initial phases after another contractor did not deliver, and was honored to have been requested by name by world-renowned architect and building co-owner, Leason Pomeroy, who designed 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.
Headed-up as Superintendent on behalf of Laidlaw Building & Development, extensive renovations for Fortune 500 client, Grainger (15 industrial supply stores in Southern CA + Reno, NV, see below).
From interior to exterior upgrades as well as repaving parking lots including one on an estuary where tidal flow was an issue, Managing Grainger store T.I. work was my sole focus for over two years.
San Diego / North County:
Chula Vista
Clairemont
El Cajon
San Diego, Downtown
San Diego State University
San Marcos
Sorrento Valley
Orange County / Los Angeles:
Anaheim
Compton
Garden Grove
Long Beach
Rancho Cucamonga
Santa Ana
Santa Fe Springs
Nevada:
Reno
Photo Credit: Laidlaw B&D
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, I was thrilled 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.
I always enjoyed working with LWP Founder, Greg Strangman, and Project Manager, Mike Pandolfe, who I worked with on Midway Atoll, and even previously for his Dad, Joe Pandolfe, owner of Pacific Phoenix Construction.
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 affordable weekend staycation rates.
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: LWP Group
After three seasons contracting to build massive sandcastle forms on the beach for renowned sand sculptor and founder of the World Sand Sculpting Academy, Gary Kirk, who led the competition for the Discovery Channel's "explosive" television show (they blew up the sandcastles), Sand Blasters, I was hired to lead construction of Pelly's Miniature Golf in Del Mar.
Collaborating with Kirk, who's sand sculpting work and aquatic vision for the course won the contract, I had the opportunity to add form and function around Kirk's sculptures. In partnership, we brought to life Kirk’s sea creatures, piers, and surf scenes, and authentic pirate ship as the centerpiece envisioned by Kirk.
It was an honor to work on the project and revive the old mini golf property, which I visited as a kid and spent countless hours skateboarding the pools next door at the historic Del Mar Skate Ranch. Photo credit to Gary Kirk, a great man and master artist, who is sorely missed.
In 1996, Midway Atoll—the location of the infamous WWII Battle of Midway—was transferred from the Dept. of Defense to Dept. of the Interior, which partnered with Midway Phoenix Corporation (MPC) to renovate the historical base, and open it up for veteran + eco-tourism. The visitor program—to be led by MPC—would pay for the ongoing management of the atoll at near zero cost to U.S. taxpayers.
Pacific Phoenix, the construction company contracted for the historical preservation project, was led by owner + veteran builder, Joe Pandolfe, and his son + project manager, Mike Pandolfe, while I served as a Superintendent & Carpenter, 1997-1998.
This job came about just by chance. I was already working for Pacific Phoenix doing T.I. projects (apartments + hotels) and building seawalls to manage tidal flow on Wake Island. But was sent to the atoll to take over for Stan Laidlaw, who served in the same roles, 1996-1997, after he tore his achilles tendon playing basketball in the old gym on Midway.
We transformed the military barracks into hotel rooms while preserving their historical integrity. They were in dire need of repair after half a century of neglect and harsh weather. I was heavily involved in the renovation of the two-story officer’s quarters (within the original historical footprint) as well.
Also instrumental in the ground-up construction (including custom framing) of the Clipper House, a beachfront restaurant designed for a husband + wife team of chefs hired to support MPC’s visitor program.
As a lead carpenter on the construction of the boardwalk connecting the restaurant with nearby buildings including a new bar (built by MPC too), I was hands-on with all the custom woodworking.
After more than two years, the initial Midway project—covered by Smithsonian Magazine—was complete, and the atoll conservatively opened for tourism.
It was an honor working on this project to rehabilitate such an important part of our history commemorating all who fought to hold the line there including those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
After the loss of Joe Pandolfe, I continued to work with his son, Mike Pandolfe, and Stan Laidlaw, for many years, and through various companies, Mike with LWP Group (see Pearl, Martin, Carnegie Projects on Commercial page), and Stan Laidlaw with Hollister Construction and Laidlaw Building & Development (see Library + Grainger Stores on Commercial page and Kauai Custom on Residential page).
I had no idea how special it was to be on the atoll as it’s been closed to the public for many years now. I hope Midway will be saved before it’s too late. History should be preserved for future generations.
SO, WHAT HAPPENED?
Following two years of new construction and historical rehabilitation (1996-1998), Midway Phoenix Corporation successfully—and beautifully—maintained the atoll for another four years, (1998-2002), and it was paying for itself through the visitor program, as planned, including free travel for reps of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) involved with the conservation program on the atoll.
However, due to irreconcilable differences with FWS, which made it increasingly difficult—and eventually impossible—to run the visitor program or cover the costs of ongoing maintenance + historical preservation without paying out of pocket, MPC was forced to abandon the previously self-sustaining venture on May 1, 2002.
The atoll has since fallen into severe disrepair.
Under the stewardship of FWS, many historic buildings have collapsed and/or been demolished despite the agency’s public promises to transfer management to another third party, which has never happened.
From 2002-2014, FWS had spent on Midway $110 million in taxpayer dollars, so who knows how high that number is at this point. It’s unclear where the funds are being spent as historical buildings continue to disappear at an alarming rate and without notice.
If you’d like to learn more about the MPC project and what’s happened since, here’s a powerfully accurate video, Midway Island - A Battle Lost To U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
