We told you that April 18th the building with the large picture windows facing the intersection of Robinson & Bumby at 2320 E. Robinson Street (MAP) was purchased by National Real Estate (WEB). The Daily City was recently invited to meet with the owners of the company, Giovanni Fernandez and Elise Sabatino for a tour.
National Real Estate manages 850 properties, has 50 realtors under its brokerage and has been in business for 17 years.
The building has separate three spots for businesses.
1. Front Cafe - the owners say this 2,400 sq ft space isn't big enough for a full size restaurant, so they're looking for a more market-type grab & go option. They'd like the hours of operation to compliment those of the back building restaurant. Think breakfast and lunch in the front, dinner in the back.
2. Rear Warehouse - The large back warehouse-type space is 3,900 square feet and perfect for a lunch and dinner restaurant. They've been approached by regional restaurant brands to occupy this space.
Rear warehouse restaurant space
Rear warehouse restaurant space
Covered porch on the side of the rear warehouse restaurant space
3. Middle Offices - The National Real Estate offices are the first interior portion of the building to be renovated. The raw industrial feel is created by the raised exposed ceiling and the original brick texture left throughout. To encourage a collaborative atmosphere amongst their 50 realtors and other employees, the couple built a coffee bar and planned community work stations. The patio between the office and the back restaurant will be covered in pavers and be hidden from the street by a fence. 
Exterior - Portions of the exterior walls facing Bumby will be covered with rooftop vines and plant walls. The uncovered portions will eventually feature murals done in the building's signature black, white and grey color scheme. The bare brick walls facing the parking lot received a coat of paint but otherwise will remain untouched.
In the works:
Exterior - Portions of the exterior walls facing Bumby will be covered with rooftop vines and plant walls. The uncovered portions will eventually feature murals done in the building's signature black, white and grey color scheme. The bare brick walls facing the parking lot received a coat of paint but otherwise will remain untouched.
Plant walls and rooftop vines displayed on this current rendering
In the works:
- More Retail - The building next door facing Robinson will stay as office space for 2-3 years and then become retail/restaurant space.
- More Parking - The small house behind the main building on Bumby will be torn down in order to give more parking to the entire project which will total 66 spaces. This will help make the two restaurant spaces work.
- Better Wall - The flimsy wooden wall separating the homes behind the project from the parking lot will be replaced by a concrete wall.
Across the street is the Hoods-Up former garage building, which has caught Fernandez's eye. He says he'd love to buy it and put an oyster beer bar there which would fit well with what they're doing in this current project. The cost to purchase Hoods-Up at its current price would prevent a local restaurant from being able to afford to rent it says Fernandez.