Commercial | Watermark Restaurant and Bar, CA
Tower Design transformed a registered California landmark—comprising a 1920s bank and an adjoining former fine-jewelry store—into a distinctive restaurant and bar defined by architectural history, atmosphere, and a powerful sense of place.
The two buildings were connected through an extensive adaptive-reuse renovation, expanding the restaurant’s dining and bar capacity while creating a cohesive guest experience. Rather than treating the historic architecture as a decorative backdrop, Tower Design made it central to the identity and narrative of the restaurant.
The rear of the property was comprehensively reconfigured to accommodate a professional commercial kitchen and the operational requirements of a contemporary hospitality venue. Throughout the renovation, historic elements were protected or thoughtfully reconstructed, including detailed woodwork, flooring, and custom Beaux-Arts–inspired lighting designed by Tower Design.
Original murals concealed during previous alterations were carefully uncovered and cleaned. The historic painted ornamental ceiling received a deliberately restrained restoration: enough to preserve and illuminate its artistry, while retaining the patina and visual depth that reveal the building’s age and provenance.
The property’s original vaults became memorable elements of the guest experience. Former bank vaults now store and display fine wines and spirits, while the jewelry store’s secure vault was transformed into a dramatic presentation space for a distinguished tequila collection. These unexpected adaptations give the restaurant an authenticity and theatrical quality that could not be replicated in a newly constructed environment.
The completed venue balances preservation with hospitality performance. Its architecture creates a natural sequence of discovery—from the restored murals and aged ceiling to the custom lighting, expanded bar, dining spaces, and repurposed vaults. Every historic feature contributes to the atmosphere while supporting the practical demands of service, circulation, and guest comfort.
The Buena Ventura Landmark Renovation demonstrates how thoughtful restaurant interior design and historic adaptive reuse can transform an important property into a compelling destination.
Tower Design provides full-service commercial and hospitality interior design for distinctive restaurants, boutique hotels, executive offices, and landmark properties. Explore Tower Design or contact our studio to discuss your project.
