If you’ve walked down Second Street anytime in the last decade, you’ve likely noticed one of Napa’s greatest architectural casualties sitting quietly on the sidelines. Since the 6.0 earthquake in 2014, the Franklin Station post office—a stunning 1933 Art Deco landmark—has sat empty behind a chain-link fence.

As downtown Napa continues to grow and flourish, this quiet corner on Second Street has felt like a missing piece of the puzzle. But on July 21st, the Napa City Council unanimously approved a sweeping redevelopment project that will finally take the fencing down and bring this local treasure back into the mix.

More Than Just a Facade

To appreciate what’s happening, you have to look past the current wear and tear. Designed by architect William Corlett and funded by the Public Works Administration, Franklin Station is one of California's rare Art Deco post offices. Its exterior features a terra cotta cornice decorated with rams' and cows' heads, eagles perched above the doorways, and heavy bronze light fixtures. Inside, the original lobby boasts a terrazzo floor and a beautifully painted bas-relief ceiling.

Following the 2014 earthquake, the Postal Service initially planned to demolish the severely damaged building. It took a massive wave of public pushback to save it, resulting in a conservation easement that legally binds any future owner to strict historic-preservation standards.

The New Blueprint

Preservation is tricky. Too often, developments just keep the historic exterior and build a completely unrelated, modern box behind it. Thankfully, the new design by BAR Architects and Interiors takes the harder, better route.

The project will integrate the historic structure into a new 94-room boutique hotel and 25 for-sale residences. Rather than treating the 1933 post office as a museum relic, the architects are making it the beating heart of the property. The old postal hall—complete with its terrazzo floors and painted ceiling—will serve as the hotel’s main lobby and lounge. The modern additions will be set back, allowing the original architecture to stand on its own.

Growing Pains and Progress

The project hasn’t been without debate. While residents were thrilled that an earlier, controversial plan for an automated parking garage was scrapped, the approval sparked necessary conversations about downtown’s future. Several locals and commissioners pointed out that Napa is approving hotel rooms faster than it is building the downtown housing its master plan envisioned. It’s a fair concern, highlighting the ongoing tension of how a popular destination grows while remaining grounded for the people who live and work here.

Yet, even with those larger civic questions in the air, the rescue of Franklin Station is a massive win for Napa. Instead of a vacant lot or a missing link, an architectural gem is being painstakingly restored and returned to daily use. Soon, you won't just walk past it on Second Street—you'll be able to walk inside, grab a drink, and experience a piece of Napa history exactly as it was meant to be enjoyed.