Built in 1929 and located one block from Main Street along the decommissioned Central Pacific Railroad line, Pleasanton’s Firehouse One, a beloved local landmark, is situated on a triangular swath of land framed by Railroad Avenue on one side and the railroad right-of-way (now Lions Wayside Park) on the other. ELS completely renovated and expanded the historic firehouse into a new arts center featuring a state-of-the-art flexible 230-seat theater, a fine arts gallery, a grand lobby, and office space. The facility’s unique design effectively incorporates the old with the new—on the Main Street side, the historic firehouse reflects the scale and variety of Main Street. The other entrance features modern, curvilinear wooden walls and cool accent colors that are in visual harmony with Lions Wayside Park. The center offers an array of green building components, including extensive use of recycled materials, solar panels supplying 15% of the building’s electricity needs, sculptural bicycle racks to promote alternative transportation, and high efficiency climate controls. The renovated Firehouse Arts Center has served as a catalyst for the development of downtown Pleasanton into a thriving arts district.

Awards

California Park & Recreation Society Award of Excellence