Sun Rose Apartments
Sun Rose Apartments
We are thrilled to share our latest project with Interim, Inc., one of our longtime partners. The Sun Rose Apartments is a newly developed living community designed specifically for adults experiencing chronic homelessness and mental illness.
The building offers seven one-bedroom apartments and three studio units for long-term residents. The second floor features dormitory-style rooms to accommodate short-term clients. Shared spaces include a community room, living room, kitchen, and dining area, fostering a sense of connection and support.
The exterior features a thoughtfully landscaped outdoor area with paved pathways and ample seating, along with a private parking lot designated for staff and clients.
Abbott Apartments
Abbott Apartments
Recently completed, the mixed-use development at 504 Abbott is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, bringing new housing and retail opportunities to the area. The project includes four three-story buildings, each designed to blend functionality with modern aesthetics.
The ground level of each building features retail space, while the second and third floors house a total of 110 residential units.
Ryan Harrod purchased the 4-acre site with a clear vision: to maximize residential density at 30 units per acre. WRD proposed constructing four distinct buildings of varying sizes and architectural styles to add visual interest and break up the massing. The combined square footage of the buildings totals 174,897 square feet.
This project reflects a smart, community-oriented approach to urban development—balancing density with thoughtful design.
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 of 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.
Carmel Beach Hotel
Carmel Beach Hotel
Formerly known as the Colonial Terrace Inn, Carmel Beach Hotel is a true hidden gem in Carmel-by-the-Sea, located just one block from the beach. As a designated historic property, the renovation required a delicate, detail-oriented approach to enhance the space while preserving key elements of the original façade.
The project involved a complete interior renovation of each guest room, along with the addition of a spa to elevate the guest experience. The lobby was redesigned to feature a welcoming bar and a comfortable seating area centered around the iconic Carmel stone fireplace. This inviting space now opens directly onto a main courtyard, which includes a new outdoor dining area for the on-site restaurant.
Exterior upgrades included window and door replacements, fresh paint, and essential ADA improvements. The redesigned grounds now feature new landscaping, paved walkways, and multiple outdoor seating areas—ideal for guests to relax and take in the serene coastal surroundings.
Natividad Medical Center Courtyard
Natividad Medical Center Courtyard
WRD completed a series of thoughtful upgrades to the Main Lobby Courtyard at Natividad Medical Center, made possible by a generous $950,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor. To stay within the allocated budget, the scope focused on key enhancements, including new landscaping, paving, outdoor furniture, and lighting.
The primary goal was to create a serene and welcoming outdoor space where patients, families, and staff could relax and find comfort. The design divides the courtyard into several distinct “feature” areas, incorporating planted walls, dedication plaques, and a floor labyrinth that encourages quiet reflection.
Additional seating areas with tables and chairs line the courtyard’s perimeter, inviting visitors to enjoy the space throughout the day.
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San Carlos School
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The Monterey Herald
MLHD Building
Moss Landing Harbor District Building
Situated right on the water, this cold shell building overlooks the junction between Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay. The building fits in well with its practical yet modern design, complementing this popular fishing area.
This 10,000 sq. ft. building is broken up by a multi-angular, visually interesting roofline and the different hues and styles of exterior siding. It is also adorned with enormous windows on all sides, showcasing the incredible views of the Bay and softening the industrial design. The surrounding area has been landscaped with native plants and other materials such as natural stone and loamy soil.
Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center
Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center
Aiming to facilitate the expansion of specialty care within the Southern Monterey County region, WRD was tasked with tripling the size of an existing SVMHS OSHPD-3 clinic building. WRD’s substantial addition made it possible to provide essential services in an underserved area. Added specialty care services include Pediatrics, Cardiopulmonary, and Behavioral Health, along with dedicated space for Diabetes education and awareness, as well as Childbirth and Parenting classes.
The building design complements the proportions and symmetry of the existing 6,400-square-foot Mediterranean-style medical facility. A new high-ceiling lobby serves as a prominent entry and focal point, while also supporting increased patient volume. The original lobby was repurposed into a multi-purpose room intended for community education and training.
SPEC Lab
SPEC Lab
Located in Brisbane, CA, this tenant improvement project is every lab tech’s dream. The space is distinctly divided into two areas: one for office work and the other for a specialized lab.
In the lab area, the counters are sleek and feature built-in open shelving, all finished with easily cleanable surfaces. There is also ample under-counter storage. Safety is a top priority in the lab, which includes a prominent emergency eye wash station and a large, sealable vent hood.
The office area follows an open-concept design with a designated break area in the corner. In contrast to the cool-toned lab, the office features warm brown tones. Many elements between the two spaces are similar yet intentionally different, creating a smooth but clear visual separation between the lab and office environments.
San Carlos School Gymnasium
San Carlos School Gymnasium
Approached by Avila Construction to join the project, our interior designers helped bring San Carlos School’s vision to life with a durable and stylish new gymnasium.
The school’s colors—green and blue—are featured throughout the building, while vibrant gold ceiling beams in the main gym add a bold visual accent. One side of the gym includes retractable bleachers that can be easily rolled out or tucked away as needed. The gym floor proudly displays the school’s name and features a large decal of their mascot, the ram, at center court.
In the locker rooms, the school motto— “Spirit, Talent, Style”—is prominently displayed across the surrounding walls. Additional features include second-floor offices overlooking the main gym, a breakroom with a full kitchen, and a small, tiled alcove with drinking fountains.
Media
Dove Gymnasium and Event Center Grand Opening Celebration
San Carlos School
Chez Noir
Chez Noir
Tucked among the enchanting buildings of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Chez Noir opened its doors in the fall of 2022. The restaurant is uniquely situated in one of the city’s newest buildings, designed to blend seamlessly with the charm of the surrounding downtown.
At just 2,000 square feet, the dining room serves as the heart of the restaurant, providing access to the bar, kitchen, and outdoor areas. Our architects designed an L-shaped kitchen to maximize every inch of available space and incorporated booth-to-ceiling windows along all exterior walls to visually expand and elevate the dining experience. In the main dining room, an open section reveals a portion of the kitchen, offering guests a view of the chefs at work and creating an intimate, engaging connection between the diner and their meal.
Outside, guests can enjoy Carmel’s temperate weather on a paved patio surrounded on all sides by planter boxes, trees, and various shrubs. An arbor extends along the retaining wall and wraps around the front of the property, clearly defining the space as an extension of Chez Noir. The overall atmosphere is deeply connected to the timeless architecture of the building itself.