The Railroad Square project proposes a historic preservation and rehabilitation of the c1912 Railroad Square building (also known as the Channel Commercial building) in the historic railroad district of San Luis Obispo. This existing and currently unoccupied 3-story, unreinforced masonry structure was damaged by fire in November of 2002, and is subject to the city's seismic strengthening requirements prior to re-occupancy. This proposal seeks to restore this historic URM building to its' former glory, both architecturally and structurally, as well as provide for an architectural intervention of the latter non-historic wood-framed additions to the original URM structure.

As a brief primer, the URM brick structure was originally built for use as a wholesale warehouse storage and distribution center, and is an excellent example of early 20th century commercial masonry construction, with most of the original masonry detailing remaining intact to this day. It is listed on the city's Master List of Historically Contributing properties, and is also eligible for placement on the California Register of Historical Resources.

The project therefore proposes to provide restoration and rehabilitation of the original Railroad Square URM building consistent with the Secretary of the Interior standards, while seeking to renovate the existing inferior wood-framed "annex" additions. The renovation of these annex additions will not only provide required fire/life/safety upgrades to these existing non-conforming structures, but will serve to reinvigorate these dilapidated buildings with a new architecture that pays homage to the historic railroad vernacular of the area. This architectural intervention also allows opportunity to further restore the original URM building closer to its original as-built condition circa 1912 by "freeing" the original building from these later inferior additions, which are physically attached to the original structure. This "reclaimed" space created by deconstructing the annex additions will not only provide a glimpse into the architectural past, but will serve as courtyards and public gathering and circul ation areas between the buildings, allowing for a unique pedestrian experience for users and tenants alike. In addition, the rebuilt additions will infuse the property with new uses, such as residential lofts, which will add a mixed-use component to the railroad neighborhood.

While the design approach seeks to cosmetically restore the Railroad Square building to near original condition, the rebuilt annex portions will utilize massing, colors and materials indigenous to the historical rail yards surrounding the property. In addition to traditional railroad architectural elements such as corrugated metal and saw-tooth rooflines, specific design inspiration for the overall project was derived from the glorious and elegant Southern Pacific Daylight Steam Locomotives of the 1940's and 1950's. The compilation of current and indigenous inspiration, which endeavors to look forward by looking into the past, provides a simultaneous "neo-retro" architectural language and new design aesthetic for this historic railroad property.