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 within the Brickelltown district of historic downtown Truckee, California, this commercial office renovation was designed by Emily Roose Interiors as a full-service interior design project for a leading home builder and growing construction team.

The two-story workspace balances the building’s late-1800s character with contemporary workplace functionality—creating an environment designed to support collaboration, productivity, and everyday operations while preserving the architectural integrity of the historic structure.

Preservation played a central role in the design approach. While the original exterior was maintained, interior updates were carefully executed to meet current code requirements and align with local historical guidelines. The result is a workplace that feels bright, cohesive, and deeply connected to the surrounding Truckee landscape.

Natural materials—including wood, stone, and greenery—introduce a biophilic layer throughout the office, while abundant natural light and framed outdoor views enhance comfort and focus across the workspace.

Key features include a kitchenette designed for business entertaining, a fully ADA-accessible bathroom, and an upper loft reimagined as a collaborative workspace adjacent to the owner’s private office. A secondary entrance from the upper parking level improves accessibility for employees, clients, and vendors.

Windows were upgraded for energy efficiency while preserving their original appearance, maintaining the building’s historic authenticity throughout the renovation. The conference room serves as a focal point, featuring a textured accent wall inspired by the movement of water and painted in a Lake Tahoe–inspired blue known as “Big Blue.”

Brickelltown Office Renovation reflects Emily Roose Interiors’ approach to commercial design—where historic sensitivity, thoughtful planning, and modern workplace performance come together to create spaces that feel functional, enduring, and deeply connected to place.

Project Details:

Location — Brickelltown, historic downtown Truckee, California

Project Type — Commercial renovation · Full-service interior design · Workplace design

Client — Residential builder / Construction team

Building Era — Late 1800s (historic property)

Space Planning:

  • Two-story office layout

  • Open collaboration zones

  • Private offices

  • Upper loft workspace

Key Features:

  • Kitchenette for business entertaining

  • ADA-accessible bathroom

  • Owner’s private office

  • Secondary access from upper parking lot

Historic + Performance Upgrades:

  • Preservation of original exterior

  • Code-compliant interior updates

  • Energy-efficient windows with historically accurate detailing

Design Elements:

  • Natural materials: wood, stone, greenery

  • Biophilic design approach

  • Abundant natural light and outdoor views

  • Conference room feature wall inspired by water movement (“Big Blue”)

Awards & Recognition:

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

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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,
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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