Holman Building
Holman Building
Built in 1924, the Holman Building has served a variety of purposes, most famously as Holman’s Department Store, immortalized in John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. Over the years, the building underwent a series of unsympathetic remodels and eventually fell into serious disrepair. WRD Architects was selected to renovate the structure and restore it to its former glory. Today, the building features 25 luxury condominiums on the upper floors, a ground-floor restaurant, and a basement-level parking garage.
The redesign includes the reinstatement of the original three-part Chicago-style windows, with large, fixed center panels flanked by smaller double-hung sash windows. The historic grid pattern of windows on the façade has been continued around the entire building, and new balconies have been added to showcase stunning bay and mountain views. The façade has been fully restored to reflect the detailing of the 1920s, bringing back its original beauty and glamour.
Awards
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Media
Holman Building plans reveal spendy condos, ground-floor retail
Monterey County Weekly
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Historic East-West Courthouse Renovation
Historic East-West Courthouse Renovation
Described by retired County of Monterey Project Manager Judy Jeska as the “Jewel of the County,” the East-West building sits on a site that has functioned as a county seat of government for nearly 140 years. WRD Architects transformed the interiors of this existing 1937 WPA-era courthouse into a new headquarters for the Monterey County District Attorney.
Special care was taken to refurbish the National Registry listed building with steel windows replaced and painted to their original “Agean green.” At the rear of the building, a new skybridge connects the three-story West Wing with the two-story East Wing. The first floor includes a law library and a cafe.
WRD provided full architectural services from project inception including programming, needs assessment, development guidelines, and master planning.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
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Pacific Grove Aquatics Center
Pacific Grove Aquatics Center
WRD Architects worked with Pacific Grove Unified School District to replace a deteriorating 1950s-era aluminum pool with a new Aquatics Center. The existing L-shaped pool was replaced with a new 25-yard by 25-meter pool, accompanied by accessibility upgrades to the existing locker rooms, a new outdoor mechanical shed, exterior showers, and a new set of diving boards.
The expanded high school pool now serves both students and the greater Pacific Grove community, supporting a wider range of programming—including beginner and adult swim classes, as well as new offerings such as water polo.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
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test
Enza Zaden
When Enza Zaden first came to Salinas in 2000, WRD Architects provided architectural and interior design services for their seed manufacturing facility. The 17,400-square-foot facility included a warehouse for manufacturing, packing, and controlled storage, a seed mill room, and 3,338 square feet for corporate offices.
In 2016, WRD helped Enza Zaden complete a seamless 24,400-square-foot addition to keep up with the high seed demand and bring all of its Salinas operations back under one roof. The expansion included temperature- and humidity-controlled rooms for storing seeds as well as space to support the expanded seed cleaning, treatment, cold storage and packing processes. In 2017, Enza Zaden installed solar panels to use renewable energy, which is consistent with the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Early in the design process, WRD’s interior design team worked with client to develop a modern, fresh look that was consistent with the brand. The office design encourages open communication and flexible work spaces. Each desk is a sit-stand desk promotes employee wellness.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
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Monterey County Health Department
Monterey County Health Department
WRD Architects worked with Monterey County to design the new 47,000-square-foot Health Department headquarters. To reduce downtime and eliminate the need for interim housing, the new building was designed to be constructed adjacent to the existing headquarters, which has now been demolished. Materials were recycled during the demolition process, and the existing asphalt was ground up and used as the foundation for the new parking lots.
The new facility consolidates four Bureaus – Administration, Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Environmental Health – as well as the Public Health Laboratory, into an open office environment which improves communication, maximizes natural lighting, and accommodates growth and fluctuations in program sizes.
The multi-level design steps down the existing topography and minimizes building mass while tying into the existing Natividad medical campus.
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Monterey Downtown Plan
Monterey Downtown Plan
As part of a plan to boost business and tourism in Downtown Monterey, WRD Architects and Slavik Planning + Design Group spent two years conducting extensive community outreach and research to redesign the area’s plazas and streetscapes, aiming to improve accessibility and enhance commercial activity.
Presentations were held at various locations throughout the community, with attendees invited to share their feedback. Based on this input, WRD’s team continually refined the program, incorporating new ideas and suggestions. This iterative process—spanning nearly 60 presentations—enabled WRD to shape thoughtful, well-received public spaces and a comprehensive downtown plan that truly reflects the Monterey community’s needs and aspirations.
The outdoor seating area in front of Café Trieste on Alvarado Street was among the first projects to be completed under this initiative.
Awards
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Media
Monterey’s vision for a downtown revolution is complete
Monterey County Weekly
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Wine Experience
Wine Experience
In a 1,500-square-foot tenant space near the Monterey Plaza Hotel, WRD Architects created a vibrant and inviting interior for an innovative wine concept bar. The space is divided into two distinct areas: an industrial-style workspace for blending various wine varietals, and a lounge and bar area designed for parties and casual conversation.
The back wall of the bar is clad in reclaimed wood staves from used wine barrels, while original barrel heads have been customized to incorporate a wine-tap system for patrons. The curved stainless-steel bar evokes the look and feel of Chardonnay fermentation tanks. LED lighting controls and digital systems were integrated to support the dynamic needs of the space.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
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Water + Leaves
Water + Leaves
WRD Architects collaborated with a visionary owner to design a contemporary space for the first specialty tea and coffee shop on Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
The client’s passion for tea guided the design process. Four high-performance digital tea steepers maintain optimal temperature, pressure, and timing for each tea variety. Behind the counter, six oversized dispensers showcase a range of raw, local honey.
The café’s commitment to sustainable, organic practices is reflected in its design. The exposed ceiling features natural wood, while a new balcony addition, with glass doors leading to it, offers a clear, unobstructed view of Monterey Bay. A mural near the balcony connects the Bay’s fishing heritage to the owner’s extended family roots.
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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, along with renovations to the existing hotel facilities, all tailored to complement the historic architecture of downtown Monterey. These improvements expanded the hotel’s size, capacity, and amenities, creating additional revenue-generating opportunities.
The exterior and interior renovations of the existing guest rooms were modernized to align with the Mission-style architecture and Craftsman detailing of the new building. A total of 93 updated guest rooms now feature either a king bed or two queen beds, many with fireplaces. In addition to the room upgrades, WRD Architects also designed 645 square feet of flexible meeting space.
Upgrades to the hotel’s outdoor amenities were also part of the design. Decorative metal gates, wood wall panels, and enhanced lighting make the pool area more visible and inviting. A new firepit, decorative tile finishes, and cozy seating help create a warm, relaxing atmosphere for guests.
Awards
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Media
International seed company launches Salinas expansion
The Californian
Enza Zaden doubles facility size in Salinas
Onion Business
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Scales
Scales
Scales showcases some of the Peninsula’s finest cuisine, paired with the California Coast’s most impressive views. The 22,000-square-foot restaurant features high ceilings and expansive bay windows from top to bottom, allowing more than 300 diners to experience the harbor’s natural ebbs and flows.
With the help of WRD Architects, co-owners and brothers Chris and Sabu Shake Jr. brought their vision to life.
“When we bring people in and lead them to their table, we want them to know they’re being seated in the best seat in the house—all of them are,” said Sabu Shake Jr. “We’ve laid it out so that everyone has a great table—and a comfortable one.”
The contemporary space is unique to the Wharf, offering an elegant, urban feel that sets it apart from the area’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 guest needs: a seafood and steak restaurant, a café, a fish market, and a gift shop. Each space has a distinct visual identity, yet visitors can enjoy seamless access between them. The crown jewel is the restaurant’s bar, designed to reflect the ocean’s rich palette of blue and gray 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
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