The Beginning
The Granada Building, facing the University of California at Bancroft and Telegraph Avenues in Berkeley, was designed in 1904 by Myers and Ward of San Francisco and dedicated in 1905.
 |
|
The police officer ("Shorty") at bottom right was a former Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman who joined Berkeley's police force. "The most progressive police force in the States", Berkeley installed and used police telephones.
|
|
|
|
Granada Building took on the appearance of a box, the result of structural safety standards, until the 1995 renovation.
|
|
Raising a steel beem into place during the 2007 retrofit project. Photo Copywrite © 2008 BILLY HUSTACE.
|
|
As part of the detailed cornucopia, San Francisco ornamentation artist Michael Casey incorporated the Cal Bear. With the possible exception of the Bear, all of the ornamentation was as authentic as possible... and who is to say the Cal Bear wasn't there in the first place?
|
 |
|
The finished restoration was dedicated on October 18, 1995 and renamed The Granada at Sather Gate
|
The building was an instant landmark due to the Mission Revival Architecture, including the exquisite cornucopia detailing.
The building remains in the family of the original owners.
What Happened
Shortly after "VJ" Day in 1945, the flag pole was removed. In the early 1950's, all of the ornamentation and tile roof on the building were removed as a safety precaution under the misguided belief that they might fall and cause injury during an earthquake.
The removal of the original exquisite detail resulted in the nondescript "box" appearance of the building for over forty years.
To compound the problem, from 1950 to 1984 each tenant was permitted to provide his/her own storefront design, resulting in the removal of the original wood transom windows and creating a diversity of storefront designs.
With the advent of new, lightweight construction materials, improved adhesive and installation methods, restoration planning began in earnest in 1984. As leases expired, the storefronts were replaced with a standard, coordinated, and architecturally consistent wood and transom window format. All storefronts were fully restored in 1993.
The Restoration
During the summer of 1995, the Granada Building completed its $2-million dollar exterior restoration.
The scope of work included restoring the Spanish tile roof with copper rain gutters and redwood underpinning; rebuilding the six parapets with Spanish window interiors and custom mold and cast cornucopia ornamentation; replacement of all exterior windows with double pane, double hung windows; restoring the window shadow blocks, sills and window surrounds; restoring the flag pole; installation of custom cast lion heads and the complete repainting and sealing of the exterior surfaces.
The care, attention to detail and professional efforts of Robert Walker Architect, BBI Construction and Patrick Salle, Michael H. Casey Ornamentation and all of the subcontractors have resulted in the return to Berkeley of a magnificent building of which we can all be proud.
What has happened since 1995?
We did not stop with the exterior. Since 1995, we have expended another $2-million on the inside of the building to include a complete, new circulating (instant hot) water system; removal of old lead bends on the waste system; installed new coved and seamless vinyl in the bathroom and kitchen; upgraded and expanded the electrical wiring to all units; removed all wire mold or other "temporary" wiring; added digital coaxial cable for television; new wiring and a switch system for 1.5Mbps T-1 building-wide internet service to multiple locations in each apartment; multiple telephone lines to each apartment; replaced or refurbished all the kitchen counter tops and sinks, as well as bathroom toilets and sinks; replaced or refinished all hardwood floor surfaces; removed all "painted over" wall coverings and retextured and painted all the apartments; installed a new card entry system as well as a complete 21 camera closed circuit television surveillance system for added security; added an 8-hour emergency backup power system to light the common areas; and the list goes on.
An obvious question is why would we spend this kind of money on the El Granada? It is this generation's investment in future Munger family ownership and management of the building. It is a one of a kind, classic building.
And, besides ... we are proud of it!
In 2007...we started a major seismic retrofit project to meet the City of Berkeley standards. This project was completed in January 2008.
What's Next
Keep watching...
There is more to come for Granada and the surrounding buildings owned by the same family. We're proud to be a part of Berkeley and its heritage.
--Ed and Maynard Munger
