Architectural Concepts Turns Old Abandoned Building into Hot Beach Hub
SAN DIEGO, CA (July 31, 2013) — Architectural Concepts, Inc. (ACI) a San Diego firm regarded as one of the Southwest’s top hospitality-oriented architectural and interior design firms has completed the renovation of a 6000 SF building on behalf of San Diego-based Rivera Family Restaurants. The development team of Rivera and ACI have transformed a building which sat vacant for many years into Social Tap American Eatery.
The property, located on South Seaward Avenue in Ventura has housed a number of restaurants, the last of which was Thai Star. According to Margit Whitlock, principal of San Diego-based ACI, converting the funky dilapidated building into a favorite neighborhood beach haunt was not an easy task. The area is largely residential and the community and Design Review Board needed to be deeply involved. However the Planning Department and City Hall supported the project knowing that this particular area of Ventura needed a catalyst to bring more good business to the area.
Social Tap American Eatery has a low key atmosphere with a high quality menu. The comfortable unpretentious design is fitting for the location and clientele. The design team chose to completely gut the building and site even though it may have been easier to demo and rebuild. The design was developed by team leader Margit Whitlock AIA with heavy collaboration with the client.
She says from the onset a mixture of materials such as steel – corrugated and acid washed, reclaimed barn wood and stone seemed appropriate.
“We left the building shell as is with concrete floors and exposed wood trusses. We created natural light and air by adding five roll-up garage doors allowing the energy of the beach to flow through. The colors are very earthy and natural as well, says the award-winning architectural designer. “I think my favorite detail is the 24 foot long custom light fixture I designed for over the bar. It is made of four 6’ wood rings connected by 6” core ten I-beams where the lights hang from. It’s really something. ”
Other unique design features include the acid washed steel plate restroom partitions, pebble rock walls and columns, foot rests and door handles made from pipe fitting, and custom furniture made from reclaimed wood and pipe fittings. The large patio on the street is always packed with beach goers gathered around the fire towers in a cool lounge setting.
Now open for six months and doing extremely well the development team is looking for other locations to build a chain of Social Tap stores.
Architectural Concepts, Inc. is a full service planning, architectural and interior design firm. The company received ARDA’s highest international award for resort interior design and architecture for Cibola Vista Resort and Spa in Peoria, AZ; it is also known for its architectural and interior design for The Bond, a 118 unit luxury timeshare resort in Las Vegas, NV. ACI primarily focuses on the hospitality, restaurant and commercial markets. Currently the firm is also at work on The Seahorse Estates Beach Club in Freeport, Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. Among its other restaurant projects are Wahoo Taco, San Diego, CA and Cosi, Costa Mesa and Temecula, CA. Retail shops include Nicole Miller, Carlsbad, CA, and It’s All About The Girl, San Diego, CA. ACI’s Principal, Margit E. Whitlock, AIA, is a licensed architect in California, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. For more information about Architectural Concepts visit www.4designs.com or phone: 619-531-0110.
