Attachment 4 - Letter of Justification DATE: March 5, 2024
TO: Town of Los Gatos
Historic Preserva on Commi ee
FROM: Hannah Micallef, Studio KDA
SUBJECT: Le er of Jus fica on: 137-139 N Santa Cruz Ave. (Coup de Thai) Exterior Modifica ons
This memorandum provides informa on about the proposed exterior modifica ons to 137-139 N
Santa Cruz Ave., and their conformance to the Town’s Commercial Design Guidelines. The building
was originally constructed in 1938 as the Peerless Stage Depot. Its dis nc ve green ling and
scalloped pa erning are a great local example of the Art Deco style. Our proposed modifica ons do
not alter any of the historically significant components of the building that were found in our
research. The proposed new facade materials are black ceramic ling, with a thin gold accent band.
We are also proposing (2) new decora ve sconces, a new awning, and replacing the exis ng door to
the 139 space with a fixed window. The materials are intended to provide an elegant, durable and
meless facade for the business, while also providing a subtle nod to the building’s Art Deco style.
Design Intent:
● Provide a single entry to the combined tenant spaces
● Visually unify the two storefronts
● Provide new facade materials that both elevate the pedestrian experience, and respect the
history and context of the building’s facade.
Summary of Modifica ons:
● Demoli on of (E) wood and glass entry door to 139 storefront
● Installa on of (N) fixed window and sill in place of exis ng door. New window will have a
wood frame and match the look of the exis ng adjacent window
● New awning at 139 storefront to match exis ng awning at 137 storefront
● Demoli on of exis ng le at both storefronts
● Installa on of new black ceramic le, and gold accent band to both storefronts. See proposed
materials and exterior rendering at sheet A102 of submi ed drawings
● Installa on of (2) new decora ve sconces at 139 storefront. See drawings for loca ons.
● (N) paint at all exis ng window frames and entry door.
● No changes proposed to original green square ceramic le
Conformance with Town of Los Gatos Commercial Design Guidelines (C-2, C-2A Subdistrict):
ATTACHMENT 4
3.1 Basic Design Principles:
Architectural character and detailing shall be sensi ve to the historic structures remaining in the
CBD
Na onal historic guidelines emphasize that new elements must be compa ble with the
building’s historic features, but also be differen ated in order to preserve the exis ng building’s
character. We selected an appropriately scaled, dark neutral rectangular le for the storefront. It
serves as a backdrop to the ornate Art Deco le and does not compete with the original le
detailing of the overall building. This black le, with a subtle gold pinstripe detail, alludes to the
building’s Art Deco styling, but is easily differen ated from the original le.
Storefronts shall be constructed of high quality materials that are consistent with those
historically used in the Town.
Ceramic le is proposed for the modified storefront, as it is durable and consistent with the
materials of the overall building.
Diversity of design shall be encouraged with meless character sought over trendy architectural
styles.
The proposed facade uses black le and only subtle gold highlights, crea ng a meless, elegant
and understated look.
3.3 Building Design (C-2A Subdistrict):
3.3.2: Design buildings along North Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street to be compa ble with
tradi onal architectural styles.
(b) Provide architectural details to enhance the interest of facades.
The use of ceramic le at both the 137 and 139 spaces will unify the two storefronts, and elevate
their street presence from the exis ng le at 137, and the painted over le at 139. We are also
proposing (2) new exterior sconces to create more interest at the pedestrian level.
3.3.3 Emphasize display windows and storefront entries
3.3.4 Maintain transparent storefronts and public right-of-way walls
We do not propose any changes to the exis ng large storefront window at the 139 storefront.
The exis ng entry door will be replaced with a fixed window to maximize the connec on
between the tenant space and pedestrian traffic.
3.3.5 Provide ves bules at building entries
(a) Recess entry doors three to six feet from the facade
The exis ng recessed entry at 137 is to remain.
3.3.6 U lize high quality storefront materials
(b) Wood window frames are common in this area and are strongly encouraged
(c) Alterna vely, vinyl covered or dark anodized aluminum metal storefront window and door
frames are suggested.
The new fixed window at the 139 storefront will have a painted wood frame to match the
adjacent window.
3.3.8 Install awnings when weather and sun exposure protec on are desired
(a) Fabric awnings are the preferred material.
(b) Fabric awnings should be installed on painted tubular metal frames. End panels returning to
the building face are op onal.
(e) Relate awning placement to the major architectural elements of the facade.
The proposed awning at 139 is to match the exis ng awning at 137 (see project photos in
submi ed plans). The new awning will help to unify the two storefronts and will not cover any of
the original green ceramic le.
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank