DONNER PASS OFFICE

Architect: design Sense

Builder & Office Owner: Dan Fraiman Construction

Designer: Emily Roose Interiors

Photography: Westall Real Estate

Location: Downtown Historic Truckee-Truckee, California

Brickelltown Office Renovation | Historic Downtown Truckee Commercial Interior Design

(Truckee, CA)

Located in the Brickelltown district of historic downtown Truckee, California, this custom commercial office renovation was designed for a leading home builder and a modern, growing construction team. The two-story workspace blends the building’s late-1800s heritage with contemporary functionality—balancing open collaboration zones with private offices to support productivity, creativity, and day-to-day operations.

The design honors the property’s history by preserving the original exterior and implementing sensitive updates to meet current code requirements and historical society guidelines. Inside, the renovation transforms the office into a bright, cohesive, and welcoming environment. Natural materials—wood, stone, and greenery—were integrated throughout to reflect the Lake Tahoe mountain lifestyle and promote a healthier, more biophilic workplace.

Key enhancements include a stylish kitchenette designed for business entertaining, a fully accessible ADA bathroom, and an upper loft repurposed as an open collaboration hub adjacent to the owner’s private office. A second entrance from the upper parking lot improves access for clients, employees, and vendors.

Windows were replaced for energy efficiency while maintaining the original style for historic authenticity. The conference room is a standout feature, with a textured accent wall that mimics the flow of water and is painted in a Lake Tahoe–inspired blue known as “Big Blue.” Every design choice was made to improve flow and functionality while supporting wellness through abundant natural light, outdoor views, and biophilic materials—bridging Truckee’s storied past with the demands of contemporary business.

Project Details:

  • Location: Brickelltown, historic downtown Truckee, California

  • Project type: Commercial office renovation; workplace interior design

  • Client: Leading home builder (construction industry)

  • Building era: Late 1800s; historic property considerations

  • Space plan: Two-story office with open collaboration zones + private offices

  • Key upgrades: Kitchenette for business entertaining; ADA-accessible bathroom; upper loft collaboration hub; owner’s private office

  • Access: Second entrance from upper parking lot for clients/employees/vendors

  • Windows: Replaced for efficiency; maintained original style for historic authenticity

  • Conference room feature: Textured “water-flow” accent wall in Lake Tahoe–inspired “Big Blue”

  • Wellness/biophilic elements: Wood, stone, greenery; natural light; outdoor views

  • Awards: Historic Remodel Award — Commercial Office Space, Tahoe Quarterly Magazine Mountain Home Awards (2024)

  • Designer: Emily Roose Interiors

Front of a two-story house with a red door, white stairs and railing, surrounded by snow and autumn-colored trees, under a clear blue sky.
Bright sunlit corner with a cushioned window seat, multiple large white-framed windows, and a small indoor plant, adjacent to a modern open office area with wooden accent wall, desks, and chairs.
Modern office with multiple desks, ergonomic chairs, dual monitors, and natural light from windows. Wooden wall accent and sleek lighting fixtures.
Modern office with wooden accent wall, large window, and two workstations with multiple monitors and office chairs.
Modern office space with two desks, ergonomic chairs, multiple computer monitors, a wall-mounted plant decor, large windows, light wood flooring, and a brick accent wall.
An office room with a wooden desk holding two HP monitors, a mesh office chair, and various electronic devices. Outside the glass door and window, snow-covered steps and ground are visible. A large blue and white wall calendar is hanging on the wall,
An office space with a wooden desk, computer, and office chair. There are two black leather chairs, a whiteboard, and various office supplies, including rolls of paper and a desk organizer. A window with wooden blinds is on the left side, and a color
An office space with a wooden desk, two HP monitors, a black leather office chair, and window with natural light. Building materials and tile samples are leaning against the wall.
Home office with a standing desk featuring two monitors, a black office chair, and a computer tower. Spiral staircase on the right leads upstairs. Kitchen area with dark backsplash and wooden cabinets in the background. Natural light streaming in cre
Interior of a modern dining room with a long table, orange chairs, a textured blue wall, and large glass doors showing a snowy stone outdoor scene.
Indoor dining room with a large wooden table surrounded by eight orange chairs, sliding glass door showing snow-covered exterior, mountain scenery on television, and modern decor.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, black tiled backsplash, white countertop, a sink, open shelves holding jars and baskets, potted plants, a door leading outside, and a small counter with a coffee maker and paper towels.
Entryway with coat hooks, jackets hanging, wooden door, window, and hardwood flooring
Accessible bathroom with brown textured upper walls, beige lower tiled walls, a wall-mounted sink, a toilet with a grab bar, and a mirror with hanging lights.
Snow-covered wooden deck with a picnic table and benches, surrounded by a white railing, overlooking a snowy landscape with trees and houses on a hillside under a clear blue sky.
Modern office with a skylight, large window, wooden slat walls, a desk, office chairs, a small computer, and framed photos.
Home office with multiple desks, black office chairs, dual monitors, and large windows with white curtains, in a bright, modern space with wood flooring.
Attic converted into a home office with three desks, chairs, computers, and two paintings on the walls. Skylights and a window illuminate the space, which has light wood flooring and white walls.
Office room with two desks, each with computers and office chairs, large windows, and a view of a deck outside, with natural sunlight and light wood floors.
Home office space with four black office chairs and multiple computer monitors, under sloped ceiling with skylights, and a door at the back leading outside.
A custom office for a custom home builder in beautiful Truckee, California located in the historic district.
A custom office for a custom home builder in Truckee, California located in the historic district.
Dining room with a wooden table, black chairs, a decorative wavy blue and white textured wall, a large window with sliding glass door, and a modern linear chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A small kitchenette with wooden cabinets, a black tiled backsplash, a white countertop with a sink, three white canisters on top, and a shelf with spice jars, set against a wall with black tiles. An emergency exit sign is above.
Kitchen kitchenette with wooden cabinets, a coffee machine, electric kettle, and paper towel holder on a white marble countertop. Open wooden shelf with white dishes, glasses, and bottles. Blue tiled backsplash, white potted plant, and decorative sto