Temple Art Lofts

Vallejo, CA

Project Overview

Temple Art Lofts is a mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Vallejo’s burgeoning Arts and Entertainment District. This community of artists grew out of the historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the 1917 Masonic Temple and 1872 City Hall.

Sitting vacant for years in an economically depressed city left the once-grand edifices dilapidated and inhabited by birds and pests. Now, the historic buildings are home to 29 artists live/work lofts, community art studio, grand performance hall and over 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Temple Art Lofts has been honored with a number of awards, including a Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation and a Growing Smarter Together: Urban Design Award from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

Temple Art Lofts is a key catalyst project in the revitalization of downtown Vallejo. Domus was selected by the City of Vallejo to utilize federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds aimed at mitigating the effects of the foreclosure crisis.

The historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the 1917 Masonic Temple and adjacent 1872 City Hall building transformed two dilapidated and foreclosed upon buildings into 29 affordable live/work lofts for artists. The project features artist studio space and a fully renovated performance hall.

Ground floor retail space will include a café and office space for nonprofit arts organizations. Collectively, the project creates a true community of artists living and working in the heart of Vallejo’s Arts and Entertainment District.

Project Features

  • 29 affordable live/work units for artists
  • Preservation and adaptive reuse of former Masonic Temple and City Hall
  • Both buildings listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2013
  • Grand performance hall
  • Ground floor retail spaces
  • Multi-award winning development
  • Incredibly complex financial structure

Awards

  • Growing Smarter Together: Urban Design Award, 2014 Association of Bay Area Governments
  • Preservation Design Award, 2013 California Preservation Foundation
  • Timmy Award Finalist: Most Advanced Financial Structure National Housing & Rehabilitation Association