Jaime Partners Breaks Ground on Historic Land at The Headquarters

Performing a build-out on historic land has its challenges. Aside from the typical constraints that contractors have on any project, historical land comes with its own set of rules. For example, the land has to be registered as historic property with the state. With that registration, the outside of the building cannot be touched. Guidelines for the interior must be followed to the letter, with some or most of the original architecture remaining in place.

This feat is being taken on by project management firm Jaime Partners. The company’s mission is to collaborate on a renovation of The Old Police Headquarters in Downtown San Diego, California, turning it into a $40-million retail and restaurant hub opening in October 2015. Specifically, Jaime Partners is overseeing the build-out for Puesto, an upscale Mexican eatery that will be one of The Headquarters” main restaurant tenants.

The Old Police Headquarters was built in 1939 and served a clear purpose — home to the San Diego Police Department— full of jail cells, a stairwell and an upper mezzanine. Jaime Partners, along with Puesto’s designer Thomas Schoos, are working to create an open-air lifestyle center keeping to The Headquarters” original mix of architectural styles. Jaime Partners also brought its own architect, Ocio Design Group, to collaborate with and maintain a consistent feel of the space throughout. With embellished details reflecting San Diego’s rich history of the “30s and “40s, Jaime Partners is sticking to modernizing the space while still emphasizing its past.

“The mezzanine will be renovated for customers to experience the location’s beautiful views. There’s one wall there that we are not allowed to touch — we call it the sacred wall,” describes Alfredo Jaime, co-founder and partner of Jaime Partners.

Along with keeping its original integrity, Jaime Partners plans on integrating new innovations into Puesto’s authentic feel. Incorporating “new technological innovations that help energy conservation — lighting and air conditioning on automated systems with smart panel control will bring 2013 back to the 1900s.” Jaime says, “Puesto will be a huge success in this historical setting. It has a sense of authenticity that will give their customers a very memorable experience.”

Jaime Partners is one of many contracting teams taking this trend head-on.

Site renovations, including those on historic ground, are taking an upward turn. For the first quarter alone, San Diego has seen a 32 percent increase in nonresidential construction. If this trend continues to expand over the nation, contractors will be busy for years to come. There is no limit to the opportunity that renovating historic land can bring. By using sites that have historic elements, contractors have the ability to replenish local economies with new businesses in familiar locations.

Photos courtesy of Mayer Photographics.