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Premier Cru

Berkeley, CA – 2012

In 2011 Premier Cru purchased a neglected three building compound on University Avenue formerly occupied by Amsterdam Art Supply.  The building interior was entirely gutted, and the facade of the eastern building was replaced with Parklex wood panels.  The cabinet-like detailing and fine craftsmanship of the new facade prepares one for the sensory experience one has upon entering the building with its fine art, museum quality lighting and abundance of fine wine.  The interior is designed for retail sales and for private evening wine events for Premier Cru’s clients.  The building includes a thermally-controlled retail sales room, a private tasting room, corporate offices and warehouse space.  The western building has been renovated as a secure, thermally-controlled warehouse.  The center building was leased to a Bauman College, a culinary school.  Premier Cru’s investment in this location helped reposition a blighted block of an important gateway street in Berkeley.

Owners: Premier Cru,  John Fox
Architect:  David Trachtenberg, Robert Nishimori, Neven Krickovic, Isaiah Stackhouse
General Contractor:  Kaufman Construction Inc.
Structural Engineer:   Ingraham DeJesse Associates
Lighting Design:  Illuminosa
Photography:  Tory Taglio

Budget: $1.3M