Out with the old, in with the new Out with the old, in with the new (January 20, 2006)

The long-vacant Union Jack Pub on Main Street could soon see new life. A preliminary design has been submitted to the Planning Commission by architect Charles Huff. After the existing building is torn down, the new two-story brick building calls for a ground level sidewalk seating area that could become a 15'-deep bistro-type outdoor cafŽ, its design to complement the existing look of downtown. Diners would be protected from the elements by an overhanging New Orleans French Quarter-style balcony on the second level.

Both upstairs and downstairs of the long, narrow building could support a restaurant, Huff said, but added that until a tenant is on board, he doesn't know what type of food the restaurant would serve. The new faade will incorporate the name of the original's builder: A.D. Irwin - which Huff believes would make a fine name for a new restaurant.

During prohibition, the A.D. Irwin building had an ice cream parlor in the front - and a Speakeasy in the back, reports Huff, an avocational historian who is on the board of the Museum on Main. The A.D. Irwin building would be one of about 1500 local projects Huff has done during his 26 years in Pleasanton. Huff grew up in Whittier, Cal., Richard Nixon's home town. -Carol Bogart

E-mail a friend a link to this story.