As a densely populated beach town, the architectural designs of Pacific Beach vary from tightly-packed 30s-style beachfront cottages to large, pricey hotels and condos built with natural, earthy materials.  Aside from the quaint residential areas that run adjacent to popular businesses and busy streets, Pacific Beach holds an architectural report card that runs from San Diego’s budding first moments to today’s most modern fancies.

Primarily consisting of small studio- to four bedroom-sized apartments, the Pacific Beach residential neighborhoods offer older, well-established architecture that was built between 1940 and 1969. The newer, trendier architecture often found closer to the shore can be attributed to the 1970 through 1994 date range.

Standing at 1111 Pacific Beach Drive, one of the most distinguishing architectural structures erected in Pacific Beach owes its existence to America’s oldest women’s rowing club. The Zlac Rowing Clubhouse was originally designed by architect Lilian J. Rice, one of the first women to earn a degree in architecture from the University of California Berkeley in 1910.

The work of architect John Mock is visible throughout Pacific Beach in the many apartment complexes built during his time. Mock is responsible for architectural apartment outcroppings, and was recognized during his time for his omni-directional architecture that incorporated form, function and economy.

Tower 23 is another shining star of Pacific Beach Architecture. This hotel is a stylish, contemporary, and luxurious urban building that brings in the natural elements around it with glass-boxed architecture. Designer and architect Graham Downes built this hotel and restaurant to bring in the tropical surroundings and play up the beauty of the natural atmosphere. Another tropical architectural gem is The Catamaran Hotel, which incorporates strong colonial Hawaiian architecture and tropical design that is carried throughout the hotel.

Pacific Beach is also home to new styles of architecture. Many of the most recently built residences are multi-million dollar houses with spiral staircases, infinity pools, and theater rooms that show off the latest in ultramodern styles.

From practical apartment complexes to luxurious hotels with tropical themes, Pacific Beach architecture and home design provides an interesting reflection on the area’s history and growth.

Developed as a distinct community during the 60s and 70s, Del Cerro is Spanish for “of the hill” and its building structures range in both size and architectural design. Contemporary home design and ranch style homes can be seen throughout the Del Cerro area. With long lines of residential homes, Del Cerro is known for being quiet, walkable, kid-friendly, and ideal for the single family unit. Located in central San Diego just east of Mission Valley, backyard pools are a common inclusion in the landscape architecture of these family homes.

Contemporary design first came to the Del Cerro area in 1958 with the ‘Parade of Homes’ project of Richard Lareau. His Pan-Pacific house was built with advanced electrical options, as this modern gateway era sought out innovative design both aesthetically and functionally. This trend has been maintained in the area, as a good many of the residences are well-established—built between 1940 and 1969. These Del Cerro Highland homes cater to the contemporary style and family life with large floor plans and updated amenities. Although there are some rowhouses, attached homes, and small apartments, the Ranch style home is most prevalent architectural style in the area. This type of home is designed to have historically recognizable features, but also a great deal of individuality. Custom ranch-style developments are a common theme all across the rolling hills of San Diego, and the Del Cerro area ties in well with the rest of the city.

Del Cerro is a very desirable San Diego neighborhood with many second-generation homeowners and close-knit residents. With real estate that primarily consists of three to five bedroom single-family homes and apartment complexes, the average Del Cerro dwellers are family-oriented urban sophisticates who enjoy the roomy, well-established homes in this part of San Diego County.

Full Color Rendering

With Design/Build through a experienced home remodeler, the entire process is streamlined, and a plan will be developed that fits your budget.  Architectural design, structural engineering, permit processing, high quality construction, and an in house project manager, all under one roof, ensures great value, timely completion, and a successful, stress free home improvement.

State of the art computerized design system, fully detailed color renderings, and 3D walk throughs are what you should expect in a San Diego Design/Build Remodeling contractor, so you can see what your remodel will look like up front and avoid surprises.

Many San Diego Design/Build Remodeling  companies say they are design/build and outsource the drafting, losing control of design quality and costs.  You must insist on in an house design/ build team who delivers full service to you.

Make sure a comprehensive “Scope of Work” document is part of the design package too.  That way you can be certain everything is included.  You will want to go shopping to make sure the caliber of fixtures, appliances and finishes are covered.

Do not be enticed by companies who substantially undercut other bidders.  Later on, you will find out there are hidden costs, and items like cabinets, granite, finish work etc. are low quality and you are in store for major cost overruns.

A qualified San Diego Design/Build Remodeling firm will assist you in creating a shopping list and line you up with preferred vendors to save you money.  They will also help by value engineering to help you meet your desired remodeling investment.

It today’s economy, Design/Build is the most effective method to improve your home delivering more value to you..  With Design/Build you and the contractor have control of the design and construction details. What that means is you won’t end up with a plan that is cost prohibitive and you will get more for you money.

Congratulations to Frank Piermarini who is now our staff Architect.  Frank has been with Murray Lampert Construction since 2004 and has been instrumental in creating a standard for our construction documents that is well received by all the local building departments.  These standards not only expedite the permit process, they make it easy for our craftsman and project managers to build successful projects.  Frank is also Green Certified incorporating Green Building practices in all of our projects.