Atascadero’s historic city hall, built in 1918, suffered severe damage in 2003 as a result of the 6.5-magnitude San Simeon earthquake. During a ten-year repair and rehabilitation effort, the building had to be rebuilt in many areas to allow for seismic upgrades and mitigation measures. These new elements allowed for new programmatic features inside the building while preserving and enhancing the historic building that was the centerpiece of the community. Now completed, the lower rotunda of the restored city hall includes a gracious lobby surrounded by three floors of offices, with historical details meticulously restored throughout. City council chambers occupy the upper rotunda. In addition, a small historical museum was created to reinforce the building’s traditional connection with the town. Atascadero City Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Registered Historical Landmark. The renewed building was honored with a Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation by the State of California.

This project was restored, programmed, and designed by Pfeiffer prior to joining Perkins Eastman.