Encinitas approves see-through building

From the Union Tribune Article published September 4, 2015 by Barbara Henry

ENCINITAS — Historic downtown Encinitas is about to gain an ultra-modern banking building with so many panes of glass that passersby on Coast Highway 101 will be able to see completely through the structure.

Architect Brett Farrow, a Cardiff resident, told the Encinitas planning commissioners Thursday night that he drew upon Cardiff’s iconic old lifeguard tower and the region’s beachy feel for his inspiration. He said he wanted to create a structure that was “very transparent,” yet had a sense of permanence and security because it was going to contain a finial institution.

The future First National Bank will go on the northwest corner of Coast Highway 101 and H Street. Plans call for a 29,863-square-foot, two-story structure with two levels of underground parking. The new bank will replace a one-story, white building that previously housed Coast Furniture company.

Planning commissioners, who voted 4-0 to approve permits for the project, said Farrow may have created something that will become a downtown landmark.

“I think the view through the structure is striking,” Commissioner Greg Drakos said.

Commissioner Tony Brandenburg called the plans “lovely,” while Commissioner Tasha Boerner Horvath said she had been won over after an initial hesitancy.

“When I first looked at (the design), I was a little concerned” that it might not fit into the neighborhood, she said.

Bank company co-owner Michael Persall, who like the architect lives in Cardiff, told the commissioners that he would be transferring his small community bank’s main business operations from Riverside County into the new building.

Some 30 employees will work in the facility, he said.

“We have a lot of employees that already live here and they’re excited to walk to work,” he added, noting that the downtown location was attractive to him because of the nearby train station and other public transportation options.

It’s going to be a popular workplace, his architect said, mentioning that there will be a surfboard storage area and at least three showers in the building for employee use.

“That’s all part of the lifestyle we’re incorporating into the building,” he said.

Both the Encinitas 101 Main Street Association and the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce have backed the bank proposal. Chamber CEO Robert Gattinella — the only public speaker Thursday night — told the commissioners that he thought the structure would be a “positive addition to the downtown.”