Artist's rendition of the new structure (center) next to the Beckwith Building suggests a historic building.
By Clarence Cromwell
When work is finished at the site next door to the Beckwith Building, East Main Street will have a brand-new historic building--or at least that's how it will look.
The $825,000 building planned for 37 E. Main St. will cover a plot that stood vacant for more than six years after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake toppled a building there. The new building represents the final step in the town's quake recovery.
Since the property was not a historic landmark, the town didn't require that the new building be designed in a historic style.
But Dave Flick, who sometimes restores old buildings and also constructs brand-new buildings that look old, said he aimed to make the building reflect the area, anyway.
"It'll look like it's 100 years old," Flick said of the new building.
Architect Chris Spaulding designed the building in a style that complements the Beckwith Building next door. He found an old building in downtown San Jose designed by the Beckwiths' architect and used it to imitate the style.
"It's not a historical building, but it's a historical shape," Spaulding said.
Spaulding and Flick plan to construct the building's facade with materials of a century ago. Custom bricks will be matched to the buildings on either side of Flick's. Its entrance will be wood and glass, like those hammered together by early merchants when Los Gatos was a hitching post along the lumber road.
The Flick building will contain 2,200 square feet of retail space downstairs. It comes with modern amenities like a rear loading dock for trucks.
Upstairs will be tucked two 1,000-square-foot residential lofts. The tiny, studio-like living spaces will contain the trimmings of a century-old home, complete with 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops and wooden window sashes.
Anyone who wants to scrutinize the work of Spaulding and Flick can examine the historic-looking Cotton Works building, 58 N. Santa Cruz. They designed and built that, too.
Historic Preservation Committee member Len Pacheco said that, judging from drawings he's seen, the Flick building will complete the small group of buildings along its block. He said he considers the design harmonious.
"It's compatible. It's the same material," Pacheco said. "It doesn't fight with its neighbors."
It's cheaper to build something new than to restore an old building, Flick added. And with a new building, he can be sure things like wiring and plumbing work and the roof won't leak for a long time.
Flick said he expected to start framing in the building this week. Last week, workers outlined the building with one concrete wall and tremendous steel girders. Despite its historical design, the building is modern in its structural engineering.
Flick said he expects work to be completed by September.
So far, he doesn't have a tenant lined up for the building, but several parties have expressed interest.
Former owner Elroy Fellman's murder and the ensuing court battle over who owned 37 E. Main St. held up the replacement of the building that used to stand on the site. After Dianne Fellman shot and incinerated her husband Elroy in 1983, a judge sentenced her to 27 years to life in prison. Relatives commenced to take the property away from Fellman with a $1 million wrongful-death suit.
Flick bought the property from Verlyn and Edna Fellman in February 1995, nearly six years after the building collapsed. But the deal didn't close until the dispute over the property was settled six months later.
The 1989 quake additionally shook facades off the Beckwith Building and the block of buildings from 43 to 45 E. Main St., all of which were replaced.
Flick also owns property on the south side of E. Main Street where the Soda Works and the Puccinelli House stand. He said he plans to preserve the buildings and build new structures on the parcel.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, May 8, 1996.
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