Editorial: Ambitious plan for historic Grandi Building could be boon for Point Reyes Station
The Grandi Building in Point Reyes Station is hard to miss. As it stands now, it’s likely the largest bulletin board in Marin.
For many years now, that’s what this large ornate and long-vacant building, now 110 years old, has been used for.
Its longtime owner, Sonoma wine magnate Ken Wilson, is 81 years old. He says he’s running out of time to realize his dream of reopening the building as a hotel and restaurant.
Over the 50-plus years he has owned the building, Wilson made several tries to restore and revive it. He hasn’t gotten very far.
He’s built a small empire of some of Sonoma’s finest artisan wineries, but has gained little ground in bringing life back to the Grandi building.
Now, Wilson is trying again. This time he is seeking approvals to turn the Mission Revival Point Reyes icon into a 34-room hotel with a restaurant and retail space.
The building was built in 1915 by Salvadore Grandi and served as a general store, restaurant and post office with guest rooms and a ballroom upstairs. Demand for the hotel rooms dried up when the train service ended.
In turning his plans into reality, Wilson needs myriad regulatory approvals. That typically takes time and money. One of the biggest hurdles is that the building needs a new septic system.
Some residents don’t mind the vacant building. It’s been that way for so long, likely few remember when the building wasn’t boarded up. Over the years, a section of its brick facade has become a large community bulletin board announcing various goings on in Point Reyes Station and West Marin.
Wilson’s plan to do as little as possible to change the building’s eye-catching architecture appears to be a priority for him and the community.
His plans for a hotel would not only be a return to the building’s original use, it would be a boost to local businesses. It would also generate tax dollars and provide local jobs.
Maybe this time costly and time-consuming regulatory hurdles won’t derail Wilson’s plans. Maybe Wilson’s timing and commitment are more in line.
He says he is determined to follow through in pursuit of those approvals.
His proposal is intriguing, as is the fact that the building has stood vacant for half a century.
His latest plans are a first step toward those needed approvals.
The process likely will take some time.
Strong community support also will be important as the building dominates the village’s downtown.
Having this landmark building may be a novelty, for locals and visitors alike. However, in its current state, it isn’t a terrific example of structural longevity.
After the Grandi Building has stood vacant for nearly half of its life, Wilson appears to have a good plan for reviving the building and updating its historic role.