the balancing act began with figuring out how to preserve the building’s exterior (it's historically designated), while restoring its older foundational issues (its soil was moving), and making it trendy. “The entire foundation of this three-story building was replaced to address the expansive soil conditions that its original [foundation] sat upon,” says Archambault. Underneath the building, the soil would expand and contract whenever it’d get wet. The team had to carefully dig down to the bedrock to get rid of the soil and rebuild the foundation. Doing so included carving out the soil in six-foot increments so as to not disrupt the entire building above it. On top of going inch-by-inch, the machines used to dig could only go so far. Once the machines hit their limits, the team rolled up its sleeves and dug by hand. One month later, the project could fully begin. When designing the 7,500-square-foot, bi-level interior, EB created a space featuring mixed materials including tile, stone, glass, wood, and steel. A U-shaped counter was placed in the middle of the room as both a focal point and for its functionality, enhancing the quick, grab-and-go coffee shop experience. Built with white oak, steel designs, a custom-built display case, and unique tiling, the counter sits in front of large geometric shapes floating in the air and along the steel-framed side rooms. It’s an influencer’s dream aesthetic for their morning cup of joe. This year, EB will finish work on the new Queenstown in La Jolla, Captain’s Quarters in Pacific Beach, and the first phase of renovations for the Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel. And since the team only works with clients who will allow them the freedom to be unique and creative, these builds will most likely make your camera roll. Because when you walk into an EB-designed space, you’ll most likely remember your experience. Your IG feed is their business card. And that’s the whole idea.
LEFT Wolfie’s rotating carousel was one of EB’s most ambitious builds to date, costing upwards of $300K to create. ABOVE & BELOW Co-designed by Davis Ink, EB’s $4.5M project, The Holding Company, mixed nautical and steampunk themes across three levels.
HOLDING THE
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83 SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE
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