00-28 Yakima Cellars

Yakima, WA

An enthusiastic group of wine loving investors and a local winemaker partnered together to create Yakima Cellars. The location selected for this new winery and wine bar operation was a busy downtown Yakima intersection, in an early 1900’s building that had been remodeled over the years and left in worn condition prior to purchase for this project. Being the first downtown tasting room, Yakima Cellars became the leader in a trend of entertainment spaces that has since proved to be a positive influence on the economic revitalization of this area.

Functions within the building were separated into second floor staff offices and restrooms with wine production and storage at the basement. The first floor was entirely gutted to create a tasting room with commercial catering kitchen; barrier-free public restroom; 30’ curved, stand-up tasting bar; and floor space which could be flexibly arranged to accommodate several gathering tables, small table café seating for use during acoustic musical performances, and standing room for up to 50 people during wine tasting, private party or art opening events.

The interiors were designed to take advantage of the tall ceilings at the first floor, with lighting that could be switched and dimmed dependent upon the time of day or events. Based on a warm color palette of new oak flooring and custom cabinetry stained a unique shade of red-purple and walls painted in soft brown, the room’s ambience was intentionally welcoming and contemporary. During construction, an original structural brick wall separating this building from the adjacent was discovered. Existing gypsum wall board and original lath and plaster were painstakingly removed at the first floor to reveal a beautiful surface that added texture and a rich sense of age; this wall became the focal point for rotating art shows.

Traho Architects’ full scope of services encompassed asbestos abatement, structural evaluation, code reviews and approval including the City of Yakima and Yakima Health District, budget and schedule evaluation, design including lighting and interiors, and construction observation.