The Union Staff

Grass Valley's southern gateway on Highway 174 is taking on a fresh look with the addition of a new two-story Art Deco-style office building at the curve near Memorial Park.

Nevada City investor Tom Newmark purchased the site in July, 2008. The property is the former location of the Sierra Superstop gas station and an auto detail shop that had been closed for about a year.

Newmark, a longtime volunteer at Empire Mine State Historic Park, said he kept looking at the old gas station as he drove to the park and back. “It's a great location with incredible sight lines,” he said. “I kept looking at it and asking myself, why not?”

Working with Richard Baker of Siteline Architecture in Nevada City, Newmark came up with a plan that would completely redesign and add a second-story to the existing structure, which sits on the bank of the south fork of Wolf Creek.

The stucco and steel beam structure features a cantilevered facade with Art Deco features and has been designed to house two separate offices. It has approximately 800 square feet of space on the ground floor and another 1,100 square feet upstairs.

Contractor Tintle Inc. of Nevada City is putting the final touches on the building, with completion anticipated by September. Landscaping and four parking spaces are part of the improvements.

Located at 428 Colfax Ave., across from the Summer Thymes Bakery & Deli, the building is zoned for retail and office uses and is the first Grass Valley project for Newmark, who also owns commercial properties in Nevada City.

“It's a beautiful building on one of the busiest corners in Grass Valley,” said Newmark. “I'm proud of how it's turning out. I hope Grass Valley enjoys looking at it as much as I do.”