Despite vocal public support, the Los Gatos Planning Commission seems ready to deny a request to modify the exterior of a building where a Restoration Hardware is planned to open.
Restoration Hardware is a luxury home furnishing brand. The company also operates several restaurants and a guesthouse in New York, along with two private jets and a yacht. There is an RH rooftop restaurant in Palo Alto.
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Most recently, the lifestyle brand has set its sights on opening a gallery and restaurant in Los Gatos at 31 University Ave. The applicant, Rick Nelson from MBH Architects, wants to create a uniform exterior for the building since it currently looks like it’s split into three units, said Jennifer Lin, CEO of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce. The project is on the agenda for today’s Planning Commission’s meeting.
The full parcel is around four acres. RH plans to build its gallery and restaurant in a nearly 16,000-square-foot building that was constructed in 1999. The clothing store The Gap previously operated in the building’s 8,700-square-foot retail space before closing in January 2023. Steamers restaurant operated in the 7,200-square-foot restaurant space next door before it closed last December. Both spaces remain vacant.
RH applied in January to modify the exterior of the building and obtain a conditional use permit that would allow its restaurant to serve alcohol in the consolidated space. In February, RH stated its intention to make the exterior of the building more cohesive, but the Heritage Preservation Committee made a recommendation of denial to the planning commission the next month.
The company wanted a more unified Mediterranean-style design of the façade that reflected the proportions, window styles and architectural details seen in the Old Town shopping center across the street, according to the planning commission report. They requested modifications to the town’s planned development laws including roof alterations, installation of new fabric awnings and metal or glass canopy awnings, the addition of a new central pyramidal skylight and new stucco siding.
However, the Heritage Preservation Committee said the building’s Mediterranean style is not compatible with other existing Old Town buildings or with the character of University Avenue and the Edelen Historic District. They added that the design should convey a collection of individual structures rather than one consistent symmetrical mass. The committee also called on the applicant to consider the addition of tile roofing material and the impact of the skylight from all elevations.
RH refused to concede on their design, saying they had considered the existing Mediterranean components of the building and other architectural details of the Old Town Shopping Center “with the goal of creating a harmonious facade design that assimilates into, rather than competes with the larger historic district.”
“At RH, we strive to obtain balance, symmetry and perfect proportions with our architectural approach and believe our design does exactly that,” RH said in response to the committee.
The town’s Chamber of Commerce is fully backing RH’s presence in downtown, sending the Town Council a letter of support signed by several other businesses, including Pennant Properties Principal Jim Foley, KW Bay Area Estates Managing Broker Mark von Kaenel, local business owner Janet Dashiell and Los Gatos Parkside General Manager Adam Lewin.
Resident Juan Benitez wrote an email to the planning commission in support of RH ahead of the Aug. 27 meeting.
“Many Los Gatos residents already shop at RH in Palo Alto, and the idea of having one here has sparked real enthusiasm among residents who want to see our downtown thrive,” Benitez wrote. “After several years of economic uncertainty, it is encouraging to see a respected brand choosing to invest in our town.”
Lin said the addition of RH could add to the downtown economy, adding that the average RH restaurant and gallery brings in $10 million in annual revenue through sales taxes and increased foot traffic to other stores.
“Dining in those restaurants is an experience. That increased foot traffic is going to translate into benefits to surrounding stores and restaurants and service providers,” Lin said. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and any kind of culinary gem like that basically cements our reputation as a culinary destination.”
In fact, Spanish restaurant Teleferic Barcelona sent a letter to the planning commission in support of the RH project.
“As fellow retailers operating in the community, we recognize the importance of fostering vibrant commercial activities that enhance the character and vitality of our town,” they said. “Restoration Hardware will undoubtedly contribute positively to our local economy, provide additional and unique amenities to the residents and visitors, and add to the radiant charm that makes Los Gatos such a desirable place to live, work and visit.”