Located at the corner of 9th Ave and East 21st Street, this 1890s Queen Anne was slated for demolition to make way for public housing when it was purchased by Mark Daly’s parents in 1964. A wrecking ball stood in the front yard. The house had suffered extensive damage from the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes. It had lost chimneys and moved it off its original brick foundation. The Dalys gave it a new roof, and painted it, but the really difficult restoration efforts didn’t begin until 2003, after Mark inherited it.

Mark added a new foundation, shear walls, and a new roof, and then he began doing the interior remodeling. The turret, which was over an inch per foot out of level, was raised to level and a new steel frame was built to prevent it from collapsing again, as it had in the 1906 earthquake.  The trim had deteriorated so badly that only the finial could be saved. The tower was stripped down to sheathing, sheared, and painstakingly restored down to the smallest detail using photographs and a story pole to match original detail. 

Fish scale shingles were hand cut from factory cedar shakes, and missing details were carved on site. 

The porch was carefully disassembled, reframed, and carefully reassembled.  Two of the three original stained glass windows were fully restored, and the porch detail, lost in the 1906 earthquake, was also recreated.  Mark repainted the house to match its original 1890 colors, which he discovered when the previous paint layers were scraped off.

The original siding was removed, restored, and re-installed on the north and east sides of the house. New siding, custom milled to match the existing beaded siding, was installed on the south and west sides.  New sills, water table and apron were also custom milled and reinstalled using salvaged material.

Renowned local architect, William Schirmer, designed this Italian Renaissance revival house for Henry Kaiser. It was built circa 1925. Henry Kaiser was, of course, one of the United State’s most important, and bold, entrepreneurs; the father of American shipbuilding, and famous for the dams, highways, and healthcare system he developed and the house projects a kind of strength befitting him. A monumental symmetrical staircase leads up to the house and is one of its most character-defining features.

But after the current owners, Marlies and Jay Patterson, bought the house a few years ago, they discovered that this grand staircase was structurally unsound due to water damage, settling, dry rot, fungus and termites. Interior restoration and renovation had to wait while these structural deficits were addressed. The damaged balustrades created a safety hazard. In addition, the foundation of the house was also severely deteriorated and ventilation and drainage systems needed to be installed.

The metal French doors leading to the south garden needed to be replaced because of water damage and settling. Three-quarters of the original foundation was replaced and brought up to code with a combination of T-footings and piers and grade beams. The house was seismically strengthened and leveled (it was out of plumb approximately 7” from north to south). New ventilation wells were constructed around the base of the house and at the new grand staircase.

The dry-rotted framing supporting the grand staircase was replaced with pressure-treated lumber. Using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, original balusters were repaired where possible, and recreated from cast concrete where necessary. Also, the finish slab for the staircase was recreated following the original scoring pattern and the integrally-colored concrete also matches the original color as closely as possible.

The framing below the slab is now protected with layer of modified bitumen, drainage matts, and metal flashing to prevent moisture penetration. The French door was replaced with a wood door and divided sidelights more in keeping with the period of the house and its existing doors and windows. A concrete patio was constructed to match the landings on the main staircase.

The staircase and foundation reconstruction was completed in January 2007 and provides the structural strength to assure that this important landmark may last well into the future.

The Holland-Canning house, located in the Oak Center Historic District, is a handsome Italianate style home built around 1879. It only has had five owners in its lifetime. Although the residence has beautiful details and a striking elevation, it had suffered from many years of deferred maintenance before the current owners, Pamela and Michael Kirby, set out to restore it. They have replaced the metal roofs with copper.

They have stripped, caulked, filled, sanded, and painted every surface of the house. And the work continues. Landscaping will be installed once the painting is complete.

As the owners have said, “we are pleased to have provided the efforts to preserve this example for our neighborhood and future generations.”

For more than 15 years, the property at 1432 Linden Street stood vacant. Once a single family residence, the 1890 period Queen Anne had been divided into three rental units. Previous owners had attempted to restore the property, but ran out of funds. So the building remained as it had been when the money ran out- stripped down to its studs, in need of plumbing, electrical, new floor plans – everything except a foundation.

Bill Ganci and his partner purchased the property a few years ago with the intention of fully restoring it, adding an additional unit (to bring it to four units) and converting the units to condominiums. After 2 ½ years, they have now completed the work.

Due to current building codes, certain architectural designs couldn’t be implemented. But the completed project is a source of real pride to its owner when he considers the starting point of this project. By converting the units to condominiums, they have taken an empty eyesore and provided an opportunity for home ownership while honoring its architectural period and beauty.

The Altenheim, which means “Elders Home” in German, was founded in the 1890s. It is closely tied to the beginnings of the Dimond district in Oakland, where German immigrants settled in the mid-nineteenth century. A fire destroyed the original building in 1908. The present-day Colonial Revival-style buildings replaced it and dates from around 1910. But the buildings closed down in 2002 when the facility became too expensive to operate.

After two years of negotiation between Citizens Housing, the Altenheim, the neighborhood, and the City of Oakland, all the parties agreed to a development plan that would restore and renovate the existing structures, as well as new compatible structures. The rehabilitation project began in November 2005 and was completed in December 2006. The project was monitored throughout to ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings.

Over the course of the project there were several obstacles and challenges: rotten joists, uneven flooring, and water in the basement to name a few. Because the project was receiving Federal Historic Tax Credits, it required strict adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard. For example, solar panels would only be acceptable to the state and federal historic agencies if they were not visible anywhere on the site or on adjoining streets.

This project has preserves these character-defining features, including its expansive gardens, and it continues the original use of the buildings as senior housing. The Altenheim is rated “A” by the city of Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2007.

Located at a focal point of Oakland’s Auto Row, this 1915 flat-iron shaped building at 2801-2829 Broadway had stood vacant and deteriorating until Steve Simi, a longtime Oakland businessman, leader of the Broadway Auto Row movement, and supporter of architectural preservation, purchased it in 2000. Mr. Simi embarked on a three year plan to restore the building façade and interior while upgrading the building structure to meet current seismic code requirements.

The southerly point and “tower” of the building were determined to be structurally unsafe and had to be completely rebuilt to replicate the existing structure. Mr. Simi describes this feature of the building as rising up like the prow of a ship. Based on original drawings from 1915, missing or damaged exterior ornamentation was replicated and replaced on the façade. New window and window frames were custom designed and fabricated to match the existing openings.

With the help of the City of Oakland Community Development office, the Oakland Heritage Alliance and design professionals, Steve Simi rescued the building from further deterioration and restored a landmark building in a highly visible location.

Known as the Uptown Arts Building, this historic Beaux Arts style commercial building is located next to Latham Square on Telegraph Avenue at 17th Street. Until recently, the original and beautiful terra cotta façade was hidden behind a 1960s 2-story stucco façade.

The building had suffered fifty years of neglect, it looked lifeless with its broken windows, rusting fire escape, peeling paint and sliding aluminum windows. The building was also seismically unsafe and in need of a substantial upgrade.

The owners of the Uptown Arts Building, who purchased it in 2005, decided to take on the challenge of restoring the historic façade. Working with local contractors, architects, engineers, and restoration specialists, the owners emphasized the importance of restoring the building to the Beaux Arts style that architect John J. Donovan had created over 80 years ago. Their goal was to restore the building to its 1924 appearance, when it was known as the D.J. Sullivan Building.

Here’s how it happened:

The historic terra cotta was restored, cleaned and re-pointed.

The deteriorated wooden windows on the top three floors were replaced.

The 1960s aluminum slider windows were replaced with historically appropriate small-paned windows that matched the design of the original steel sash.

Rust was scraped off the fire escape and it was repainted

Amish Mill workers in Pennsylvania replicated the historical wood collonettes at the paned windows.

Electrical and ADA upgrades were implemented on each floor bringing it up to code.

New finishes were added to the lobby and interiors were restored on all floors

Seismic work added interior concrete sheer walls and upgraded the foundation while avoiding any exterior bolting or diagonal bracing.

The newly restored Uptown Arts Building contributes to the renaissance of Oakland’s Uptown District. The National Register of Historic Places has identified this building as a historic district contributor in downtown Oakland and it is recognized as a “particularly fine example of the high base loft style common in downtown Oakland in the 1920s.”

The historic Hanifin Block was built around 1878-79 by Jeremiah H. Hanifin, an Irish immigrant who a hotel, saloons, and wholesale liquor businesses. Hanifin went on to become a prosperous and prominent citizen in Oakland and a man of wide influence. He served on the Alameda County Board of supervisors, was one of the founders of the St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Parish, and helped organize the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. The Hanifin Block is considered an especially fine Italianate style business block, distinguished by its opulent ornamentation and varied projecting bays which characterize its style. It is considered individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

But like so many of Oakland’s commercial buildings, the Hanifin Block had become woefully dilapidated and blighted before Oakland businessman, Mo Mashoon, set out to rehabilitate it. This one-and-a-half year, $2.5 million project has restored this handsome Italianate-style building to its original appearance and contributed to the ongoing revitalization of San Pablo Avenue.

In 2005, the Greyhound Company decided to replace the false ceiling of its central waiting room. As the ceiling was being removed, passengers and others were able to get a peek at the historic dome that had been hidden. They asked the station manager and wrote letters to company headquarters in Dallas, asking that the dome be left exposed. Fortunately, the company agreed.

The station was designed by the firm of Swartz and Ryland and opened in 1926. Originally known as the Union Stage Depot, it was one of the most technologically advanced bus stations of its time. Its waiting room, with its 38-foot high octagonal domed ceiling, was considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country.

But change happens, and at some point over the years, the dome was covered by a false ceiling. The station’s original classical façade also disappeared. While the Greyhound Company did not commit to a full restoration of the interior, it did agree to expose and repaint the dome, repaint other interior walls and accent the dome with new lighting.

There has been discussion of the possibility of making further improvements to the terminal, including an examination of what lies behind the current 1950-ish façade. In the meantime, loyal Greyhound fans may still enjoy looking at its classic neon sign.

Oakland Technical High School is located on 13 acres in the Temescal neighborhood. The main building, built in 1915, was designed by architect John J. Donovan.

In 2004, plans were taking shape to do necessary "modernization" projects. During renovation efforts 25 years ago, valuable and original architectural elements had been removed and the Oakland Landmark had not been handled kindly. Now alert faculty and a number of parents were urging that the historic building be treated respectfully and preserved during modernization. So, it came as a bit of a shock when OHA received a message from Dan Brekke, a parent volunteer, saying that the modernization plans called for a massive investment in aluminum-frame windows to replace all of the original wood windows. We aren't talking about just a few window frames here. There are some 550 nine-foot-tall double-hung windows (1100 frames), in the main building, a major feature of the wide Broadway facade, with its many columns and its classical entry.

The news activated neighbors and the historic preservation community, but the point person in countless uncomfortable and sometimes combative meetings was Daniel Brekke, who combined persistence with technical know-how and perseverance. Joann Pavlinec of the City of Oakland sent a letter to the school district, explaining the importance of the windows in maintaining the historic character of the elegant building, and pointing out that historic buildings are within the oversight of State Historic Preservation Office, which confirmed that they commonly review projects at historic school buildings and would be a party to any environmental review that might be required.

Bill Essert of Wooden Window, Inc. volunteered to help and he and Daniel walked through the building and assessed the condition of every window. The good news was that most of its windows, built of 100-year-old wood, were in remarkably good shape, and that only a small percentage required replacement parts.

It was a wonderful moment when all the project participants agreed that refurbishing the wooden windows was the right way to go. In addition, classrooms were painted, new lighting installed, and electrical work upgraded. All restrooms are being upgraded. New science labs were built and the exterior of the school has been repainted.

Daniel was the community voice that ensured that this architectural gem was preserved. For three years, he attended weekly meetings, kept the parents and community informed regarding the status of the project, and brought their input to the table. As a watchdog for the $28,000,000 project, he took copious notes, did frequent walk-throughs, kept everyone informed, and kept project managers accountable for their work.

Daniel Brekke was able to mobilize preservation experts in the city at appropriate times in the three year project to gather the input necessary to adhere to preservation guidelines. As Sheilagh Andujar, Principal of Oakland Tech, put it, “Daniel’s persistence as a parent volunteer, community mobilizer, and preservationist, as well as his love of Oakland, is why this treasure shines at 4351 Broadway.”

The Lake Merritt Pergola and Colonnade was designed by architect Walter Reed and constructed in 1913, at a cost of $17,500. The construction was part of a package of improvements for Lake Merritt, instituted by Mayor Frank K. Mott, starting in 1908.

The Pergola renovation was the first of many projects around Lake Merritt funded by the $198 million Measure DD Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks bond issue, approved by voters in 2002.

After a thorough condition assessment, it was determined that the historic Pergola needed some structural work and re-roofing. The architect recommendations also included seismic strengthening, replacement of the roof membrane, flashing, and broken roof tiles, rotten wood members and painting.

The goal was to restore and preserve the historic structure. The project team included local architectural team of Muller & Caulfield, and Bay Construction, also of Oakland.

On March 3rd, the city celebrated the completion of this work at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.