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Florence Hotel Livery Designated! An Adaptive Reuse Story
November/December 2020
 C. 1890s brochure showing 2004 Fourth Avenue, livery is indicated by a red dot. Courtesy Coons collection |
 1888 Sanborn map, detail of sheet 34. Courtesy the San Diego Public Library |
 2004 Fourth Avenue. Courtesy Google street view |
SOHO is excited to announce the historical designation of 2004 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, under Criterion A, as a unique and adaptively reused Italianate style structure, the style chosen by San Diego's founding families. Originally, it was a carriage house/livery stable that served the historic Florence Hotel, which took up the entire block across Grape Street during the late 19th century.
Unfortunately, the City's historic staff did not support designation of this rare and early resource at the September 2020 Historical Resources Board meeting. SOHO then submitted a draft resolution to the board and staff, stating this property's special merits and circumstances. Happily, the HRB designated 2004 Fourth Avenue as a special element of historical and architectural development for the Bankers Hill community. They also considered the Helen Brandish Spec House #1, a Folk National style dwelling with minimal changes at 328 Grape Street.
Through online research using Sanborn Fire Insurance maps (available through the San Diego Public Library), SOHO determined this resource was constructed c. 1888 as a carriage house/livery stable or accessory structure serving the Florence Hotel (later known as Robinson Hotel. Originally, the building stood west of its current corner location. This use is identified by the large "X" across the building foot print (see Sanborn map). By 1906, the Italianate building is shown at its current corner location, and has become a single-family home designated with a "D" for dwelling. With the spec house construction at 328 Grape Street in 1908, it is likely the carriage house was moved and repurposed to accommodate this rental home. And by 1921, the single-family home had become repurposed again, this time into an apartment building, as it stands today.
Representing early Bankers Hill development (1885-1909), one of the first residential districts beyond downtown, 2004 Fourth Avenue is an important landmark for the area and a rare example of the Italianate style. The building is a result of the1880s railroad boom, which ended in 1888. Shortly thereafter, the city's population decreased from 40,000 to 16,000. This resource speaks directly to that context and could even explain why was the owners sold it off from the hotel by 1906.
Still retaining exterior integrity despite two changes in use, these developments and relocation heighten the unique and rare historical evolution of this carriage house. Equally significant for architectural development, the Italianate style was used by San Diego's founders, such as Alonzo Horton, but the style became scarce after the railroad bust. Italianate style features include the low-pitched hip roof, wide eaves, decorative brackets with wide trim band, wood shingle and clapboard siding, door and window trim, tall narrow (often paired) wood windows and small porch entries (also visible in the historic Robinson Hotel photo).
Unfortunately, the developers, Fenton Bankers Hill LLC, have appealed the historical designation for 2004 Fourth Avenue and probably for 328 Grape Street, too. An appeal date is expected in 2021, and SOHO will keep you informed when this matter comes before the City Council.
However, for now, please join SOHO in congratulating the Historical Resources Board on a job well done!
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