The Gilroy Historical Society honored 13 buildings during its annual Architectural Awards ceremony held recently at Kirigin Cellars on Watsonville Road. These edifices exemplify Gilroy’s best in categories spanning interior restoration and preservation, landscaping, facade improvements and ongoing maintenance to the exterior of a building. Gilroy’s Italian Renaissance-style train station was one of the winners and the City will receive its award at the start of Monday night’s regular Council meeting.
Gilroy Historical Society – 2013 Architectural Awards
Historic Commercial Building
Gilroy Train Station
Valley Transportation Authority and City of Gilroy
7250 Monterey St., Gilroy
Gilroy’s train station was built in 1918 by Southern Pacific Railroad and described at the time as “the most beautiful depot between San Francisco and Santa Barbara.” The station is now owned by VTA and is leased to the City of Gilroy, which rehabilitated the Italian Renaissance building in 1998. Many of the original interior and exterior features were restored in 1998. The well-maintained station was recently repainted.
Historic Commercial Building Award
Wheeler Hospital
South County Housing
650 Fifth St., Gilroy
Gilroy’s first hospital built in 1929 was designed by architect William H. Weeks and is on the National Register of Historic Places. After the hospital closed in 1989, a “human chain” of citizens lobbied for its protection. In 1991 the hospital was purchased by South County Housing for Senior Housing. The exterior and landscape have been beautifully maintained by South County Housing.
Historic House Award
The Benevolent House
Helen Trujillo
7429 Alexander St., Gilroy
This craftsman bungalow was built in 1917 and is known as The Benevolent House. The Benevolent Society was a group of prominent local women who purchased property, built homes and rented them at low rates to poor and needy families.
Ruben and Helen Trujillo purchased the home in 1963, which is now meticulously maintained by Helen. The exterior of the house is in immaculate condition with landscaping and juniper bushes that compliment the house.
Certificate of Commendation
Jackie Disalvo
Eigleberry Tax Service
7671 Eigleberry St., Gilroy
One of the oldest homes in Gilroy, this square building with pyramidal roof and full width porch exemplifies the Greek Revival cottage style of the mid-1800s. Later additions of porch railings and decorative post braces compliment the otherwise simple style. Eigleberry Tax Service has rehabilitated the building for commercial use. Exterior painting and continuing landscape improvements highlight this gem from the 1860s.
Certificate of Commendation
Fifth St. Coffee Roasting Co.
Yolanda Casteneda and Daniel Pina
7501 Monterey St., Gilroy
Located at the corner of Monterey and Fifth streets, the interior of the coffee shop was completely renovated by Yolanda Casteneda and Daniel Pina. The interior is now neat, clean, bright and inviting. Fifth St. Coffee Roasting Co. is a welcome addition to the historic downtown area.
Historic Commercial Building Award
Bella Viva Ristorante e Caffe
Kellen McBain
7423 Monterey St., Gilroy
Originally built in 1910 and known as the J.P. Steinmetz building, it stood vacant for many years. It was recently renovated and restored, inside and out. The building is now an outstanding example of restoration and preservation, significantly enhancing downtown Gilroy.
Historic House Award
Thayer House
Berta Mendoza, owner, and Gary Walton, contractor
174 Martin St., Gilroy
Known as the Thayer House and built in 1885, this home had extensive repair, renovation, and restoration – including moving the entire house slightly east to a different spot on the same property. The interior and the exterior restoration and renovation were performed by Gary Walton. The home’s exterior is beautifully maintained by owner Berta Mendoza.
Historic Commercial Building
Gilroy Train Station
Valley Transportation Authority and City of Gilroy
7250 Monterey St., Gilroy
Gilroy’s train station was built in 1918 by Southern Pacific Railroad and described at the time as “the most beautiful depot between San Francisco and Santa Barbara.” The station is now owned by VTA and is leased to the City of Gilroy, which rehabilitated the Italian Renaissance building in 1998. Many of the original interior and exterior features were restored in 1998. The well-maintained station was recently repainted.
Historic House Award
Fitzgerald Bed and Breakfast
Larry and Chris Mickartz
7446 Rosanna St., Gilroy
This home was built in 1885 and is known as the Fitzgerald House. Today it is a bed-and-breakfast owned and operated by Larry and Chris Mickartz. The exterior is well-maintained and the grounds have a variety of trees, shrubs and flowering plants – all of which are meticulously landscaped – enhancing the beauty of this house.
Certificate of Commendation
La Aldea
Gary Walton
60 Fourth St., Gilroy
The La Aldea building is new construction near the downtown historic district. It is a Santa Barbara-style building, with tile roof, an inviting courtyard, wide staircase with colorful tiles, with wrought iron throughout. This three-story building was designed to house businesses or restaurants on the first floor, with residential apartments on the upper floors. La Aldea is well-maintained and is an enhancement to the historic downtown Gilroy area.
Historic House Award
The Allemand House
Tony and Josephine Arreola
7554 Alexander Street
This pioneer home was originally a simple Greek Revival style, but following a gabled addition it became more neoclassical. Further rehabilitation by the current owners, including painting and impeccable yard care, shows that an 1890s home can still be lovely.
Certificate of Commendation
Maureen Hunter
7790 Princevalle St., Gilroy
This home was built around 1950, and the original owner was a local Gilroy pharmacist. The exterior of the Cape Cod-style home is well-maintained, and the mature trees, plants, bushes and roses that surround the home complement the residence.
Historic House Award
Hoenck House
Bahman Mehdizadeh
9480 Murray Ave., Gilroy
This Queen Anne Victorian home was built in 1886 and appears on Santa Clara County’s list of Heritage Resources. The house had fallen into disrepair and had not been maintained or painted for many years. It was recently purchased by Bahman Mehdizadeh, who rehabilitated and painted the home, returning this lovely old Victorian to its former splendor.
