|
|
The Grand Hotel
|
|
Jacob Fenston
|
|
Last Updated on July, 28 2008 at 11:14 AM
|
|
|
|
| Emilia Otero and her daughter, Shelly Garza, are turning an old Fruitvale hotel into a home for small businesses. |
In 1906, Fruit Vale hadn’t yet been annexed by its growing neighbor,
and still retained some of the rural splendor that gave it its now
implausible name. That year, the old Fairlawn Hotel on Fruitvale Avenue
opened. On its sprawling grounds, it was an oasis for weary urbanites.
Now, the building—with its vaguely European, castle-like architecture—is
being transformed, and new ideas are bouncing off the old walls. |
In 1906, Fruit Vale hadn’t yet been annexed by its growing neighbor, and still retained some of the rural splendor that gave it its now implausible name. That year, the old Fairlawn Hotel on Fruitvale Avenue opened. On its sprawling grounds, it was an oasis for weary urbanites.
Now, the building—with its vaguely European, castle-like architecture—is being transformed, and new ideas are bouncing off the old walls.
Emilia Otero, Oakland activist and business-woman, sees it as a space for small businesses to grow, and community members to meet. She plans to turn the old hotel rooms upstairs into little offices for entrepreneurs and professionals who can’t afford the high rents in other commercial buildings. Downstairs, she sees a café and deli—complete with sun-room and patio—as well as large rooms for community meetings or events.
And, around back: parking for the thirty push-carts employed by the neighborhood’s 30 tamale and fresh fruit vendors, which Ms. Otero helped organize into a cooperative 10 years ago. These “micro-businesses,” as Ms. Otero calls the vendors, will also have a huge kitchen for their early-morning prep.
Ms. Otero says the renovations should be complete—and the ribbons cut—by early this fall. Here are some pictures of the people and the place:
The building, near Foothill Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue, was built in 1906, as the Fairlawn Hotel.
Some of the best tamales in town, from one of the 30 members of the Asociación de Comerciantes Ambulantes, or ACAF, which will be housed at La Placita.
Coming soon…espresso, cappuccino, and lots of sun on a nice day.
The old hotel rooms will be turned into offices for small businesses.
It’s hard to fit your desk against a curved wall, but the view’s nice.
The large, curved turret rooms used to be the Fairlawn Hotel’s luxury suites. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RECOMMEND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|