FireFish Grill
FireFish Grill
After minor fire damage, longtime restauranteur, Mark Gilbert, decided it was time to remodel FireFish Grill, located on the Santa Cruz Wharf. He enlisted WRD Architects for the architecture and new interior finishes. The final product is a bright, welcoming restaurant with charming nautical elements.
Light color walls are further uplifted by varying shades or blue and black accents. A glass partition etched with sailboats separates the bar from the main dining area, mirroring the sailboats that pass by in view of the floor to ceiling windows. Above the seating, a barreled ceiling and the ocean view give the illusion of being in a boat on the ocean.
The open air exhibition kitchen was entirely reworked, bringing the signature charcoal broiler front and center for customers to witness all elements of their dining experience. This method of cooking on an open fire, solid fuel, charcoal broiler sets FireFish Grill apart from its competition.
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Carmel Beach Hotel
Carmel Beach Hotel
Formerly the Colonial Terrace Inn, Carmel Beach Hotel is a true hidden gem of Carmel-by-the-Sea, located just a block from the beach. The hotel is considered a historic property and required a delicate and detailed approach to not just improve, but also preserve several elements of the façade.
This project consisted of a full interior renovation of each hotel room along with the addition of a spa to serve guests. The lobby was reworked to include a bar and a comfortable seating area in front of the cozy, Carmel stone fireplace. It opens up to the main courtyard with a new dining area for the restaurant.
We also made improvements to the building exterior, including window and door replacements, fresh paint, and much needed ADA upgrades. The finished hotel boasts newly planted and paved grounds with several outdoor seating areas for guests to relax and enjoy the views.
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Chez Noir
Chez Noir
Tucked among the enchanting buildings of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Chez Noir opened its doors in the Fall of 2022. This restaurant is uniquely situated in one of the City’s newest buildings, which was designed to match the rest of the quaint downtown.
The restaurant is a mere 2,000 square feet with the dining room as the heart, providing access to the bar, kitchen, and outdoor areas. Our architects designed an “L-shaped” kitchen to ensure every inch of the space was put to use, and utilized booth-to-ceiling windows on all exterior walls to elevate and expand the dining area. Also in the main dining room, an opening reveals a portion of the kitchen, exhibiting the chefs at work and creating an intimate and unique experience between the guest and their meal.
Outside, guests can enjoy the temperate Carmel weather upon the paved patio, surrounded by planter boxes, trees, and other various shrubbery on all sides. An arbor stretches along the retaining wall and wraps around the front edge of the property, clearly defining the space as an extension of Chez Noir. The atmosphere of the restaurant is tied to the timeless architecture of the building overall.
Media
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Breadsong
Breadsong
When he could not choose between running a bakery or a steakhouse, Breadsong owner, Hans Hess, decided to open both. WRD Architects helped bring the concept of this dual restaurant to life at the Carmel Crossroads. With only 2,100 square feet to work with, we were able to create a charming restaurant that is a casual bakery in the morning and transforms into a formal steakhouse in the evening.
A complete remodel, inside and out, the outdated exterior siding was replaced with straight-grain, clear pine, providing a natural and understated façade. The eccentric window casings were replaced with thin, wooden trim, which makes the windows appear larger and opens up the space. Enter through the front and notice display cases of bread and pastries along with a sandwich counter and espresso station. Walk further and see the enrapturing, full-service bar connecting the bakery and indoor seating area. The dining area features cool, marble tables and elevated, leather booths topped off with a warped, mirrored ceiling to complete the experience.
Media
Hybrid Café and Steakhouse Opening in Carmel Crossroads
Edible Monterey Bay
Morsels 05.12.22
Monterey County Weekly
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Dust Bowl Brewing Co. - Monterey
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. - Monterey
In search for a second location, Dust Bowl founder, Brett Honore, stumbled across Monterey’s historic Railroad Station just between Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the commercial fishing pier. He contacted WRD Architects to help with the remodel of the station, which had just recently been used as a local marketplace.
Already familiar with the station, WRD Architects reimagined the space to accomodate a lengthy bar area with 24 available beers on tap in the center. A comfortable seating area adorned with live greenery and a beer fridge with canned and bottled beverages make up either end of the rectangular building. The walls boast beautifully painted wainscot to match the preserved, original lattice windows. In addition, modern frames containing historic photos of the train station are displayed all throughout the interior.
The extensive outdoor seating area filled with fire pits, adirondack chairs, and picnic tables stretches the whole length of the building. Decomposed granite lays atop the leveled patio space, which makes it an easily accessible space to all, including dogs, and transparent wind barriers keep patrons from feeling the chilling winds of the sea. Wedo’s Taco Truck is also permanently stationed
Media
Deets on the New Dust Bowl Brewing Satellite Taproom in Monterey, California
Craft Brewing Business
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Pizza My Heart
Pizza My Heart
In 1993, the Bay Area’s pizza pride and joy, Pizza My Heart, opened their second location right in the city of Santa Cruz. The space was 2,524 sqft. and only seated 28 people, resulting in a line out-the-door every day. Twenty years later, owner Chuck Hammers enlisted the help of WRD to expand the beloved pizza joint into the recently vacated, 3,840 sqft. space next door.
While WRD was hard at work designing and leading the renovation of the adjoining space, Pizza My Heart remained fully operational in their original location. Upon completion, the restaurant was able to seamlessly move operations to the new area while the old space was being redone. Since both areas were finished and combined in 2013, the expanded restaurant has been able to accomodate 145 seats and upgraded from one to four pizza ovens. However, the line is still out-the-door most days…
Gathering inspiration from the local surf scene, and using Pizza My Heart’s signature ‘red,’ WRD was able to create a stylish, fun-loving atmosphere perfect for any family meal. Some of the more notable embellishments include the custom wood counter, which is matched to parts of the floor in the dining area, and the ‘beer’ tap situated on a tile alcove, under a retro sign.
Media
Pizza My Heart, Restaurant Review: Give Piece a Chance
Santa Cruz Sentinel
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NBC Bay Area
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Wine Experience
Wine Experience
With a 1,500-square-foot tenant space near the Monterey Plaza Hotel, WRD Architects was able to create a vibrant and inviting space highlighting an innovative wine concept bar. The space is split into two distinct areas; an industrial workspace for blending different varietals of wine and a lounge and bar area for parties and casual conversation.
The back wall of the bar is made of reclaimed wood staves from used wine barrels and original barrel heads were customized with a wine-tap system for patrons. The bar is curved stainless steel evoking the feel of chardonnay fermentation tanks. The incorporation of LED lighting controls and digital control solutions support the dynamic environment’s needs.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
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Onion Business
Water + Leaves
Water + Leaves
WRD Architects worked with a visionary owner to create a contemporary space for the first specialty tea and coffee shop on Monterey’s Fishermans Wharf.
The client’s passion for tea inspired the design process. Four high performance digital tea steepers maintain the optimal temperature, pressure and timing for each variety of tea. Several varieties of raw, local honey are displayed in six giant dispensers behind the counter.
The cafe’s commitment to sustainable, organic practices is reflected in the design. The exposed ceiling features natural wood while the new balcony addition and glass doors leading to it provide a clear, uninhibited view of the Monterey Bay. A mural near the balcony connects the Bay’s fishing industry with the owner’s own extended family.
Awards
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Media
Hotel Abrego
Hotel Abrego
WRD Architects’ multi-phased expansion and remodel of this 56,000-square-foot property included the design of a new 29-room building in addition to the renovation of the existing hotel facilities to complement the historic architecture found in downtown Monterey. These improvements increased the hotel’s size, capacity and offerings to provide more revenue-generating opportunities.
The exterior and interior remodel of existing guest room units were modernized to match the Mission-style architecture and Craftsman detailing of the newer units. A total of 93 updated guest rooms include either a king bed or two queen beds with fireplaces. In addition to the room upgrades, WRD Architects designed 645 square feet of flexible meeting space.
WRD Architects also designed upgrades to the hotel’s outdoor amenities. Decorative metal gates, wood wall panels and lighting make the existing pool area more visible to guests while the new firepit, decorative tile finishes and cozy seating provide a warm, relaxing atmosphere.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
Scales
Scales
Scales showcases some of the Peninsula’s finest cuisine combined with the California Coast’s most impressive views. The 22,000-square foot restaurant includes high ceilings with large bay windows from top to bottom where more than 300 diners can experience the harbor’s natural ebbs and flows.
With the help of WRD Architects, the co-owners and brothers Chris and Sabu Shake Jr.’s vision came to life.
“When we bring people in and lead them to their table we want them to know that they are being seated in the best seat in the house—all of them are,” said Sabu Shake Jr. “We have laid it out so that everyone has a great table and a comfortable one.”
The contemporary space is unique to the Wharf, providing an elegant and urban feel that stands out from the Wharf’s many nautical-themed shops and restaurants.
“Our clean design maximized the incredible views throughout the space,” said WRD Architects’ Principal Henry Ruhnke.
The building houses four main operations that cater to a wide range of guests’ needs – a seafood and steak restaurant, café, fish market, and gift shop. Each space has a distinct visual identity, yet visitors can enjoy casual access to each operation. The crown jewel is the restaurant’s bar, which is designed to reflect the ocean’s rich range of blue and grey tones with long vertical scales illuminated by pendant lights above.
Awards
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Media
Bold new restaurant from Shake family announced for Fisherman’s Wharf
Monterey County Weekly