Long Beach (2015)
The Hot Cha Building is a beloved example of programmatic architecture in Southern California. The building was unintentionally purchased in 2015 as part of a larger development site, and the owner had no clue what to do with it! Through a City Commissioner we were connected, and they brought me on to manage a respectful and exciting renovation.
Over the course of the project I represented the property owner when presenting to City commissions, met with commissioners as part of a designated ad-hoc committee facilitated by Planning staff, created a design strategy that complied with design guidelines, and managed renovation work.
Over the course of the project I represented the property owner when presenting to City commissions, met with commissioners as part of a designated ad-hoc committee facilitated by Planning staff, created a design strategy that complied with design guidelines, and managed renovation work.
Design Strategy and Project Management
![Drawings emphasize the leaded glass and original roof shingle pattern, which we brought back as a result of the project.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/9481f7f6-3724-44df-88a9-e23ce2c21fd6_rw_1200.jpg?h=3067b04d17d55618077012310a587103)
Drawings emphasize the leaded glass and original roof shingle pattern, which we brought back as a result of the project.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/a7d6751e-4d3a-4faf-9679-3d7263eac3c0_rw_3840.jpg?h=94803d899dda14cf997cf5c0569cbc5a)
![I enlisted Beveldine, Inc. to work with me in recreating lost leaded windows and other stained glass elements of the building.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/56bec3a9-011f-4ac0-b28f-3ae6aefe96ba_rw_3840.jpg?h=a4acc0f9dfee9476a6bae5863dc2cc8d)
I enlisted Beveldine, Inc. to work with me in recreating lost leaded windows and other stained glass elements of the building.
![We referenced historic photographs to calculate the approximate size of the original stained glass orb, which disappeared in the early 2000s. Our recreation was so heavy!](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/f97081ee-7617-4849-940a-8003682d17f4_rw_1920.png?h=c53afa7fa254f5fe0f37c4c9da975afe)
We referenced historic photographs to calculate the approximate size of the original stained glass orb, which disappeared in the early 2000s. Our recreation was so heavy!
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/69651f80-8d98-4e6f-a717-8b87dfc50061_rw_1200.jpg?h=19c058d7b3f41e894c614e17e24959a4)
![Not only does the new orb look beautiful atop the renovated building... it lights up at night!](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/be2d7064-33b0-43d9-a87a-2f9358e60b79_rw_1920.jpg?h=288808142687bb823dc0481b4cf362ae)
Not only does the new orb look beautiful atop the renovated building... it lights up at night!
Prior to this project, the building had been deemed a public nuisance by the City of Long Beach. Through research, I discovered a number of charming features that we brought back to life! I worked with a stained glass studio to recreate some stunning elements - leaded glass windows and a lit glass orb atop the roof. Today these features shine in the building's use as a salon.
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City Commissions and Ad-Hoc Committee
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/e7cd018b-7aa1-4890-9bce-84ce6caaa1f1_rw_3840.jpg?h=46ee7fba02ec06ac205d8702ef30a822)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/25592f78-8a0e-46e7-b9a3-46a693de67b1_rw_3840.jpg?h=0708a7a5ea35b122f8f566a0d3bc6cac)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/6c26f468-1a02-4c87-b019-2411cf5d64d4_rw_3840.jpg?h=9181aedeb5659ea2284733c777e7c6a1)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/17dd09dd-cd3e-4eef-9461-5d1077b655a9_rw_3840.jpg?h=cd4d5bb543a74119e09bfff53712f25a)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a5f04a4f-51b8-48da-8185-a444d2a9d83c/a47dfdd4-7e97-48d7-9d49-a74592874087_rw_3840.jpg?h=eeff4bbd23742804c714eecd4e992667)
I organized a fun happy hour at the end of the project to celebrate our accomplishments with community members, city staff, and commissioners!