Titus House
Application 2025-0000096/HDR-ZC has been reviewed by Town of Truckee Planning staff and is recommended for approval with conditions. The project qualifies for parking exemption under California AB 2097 due to proximity to Truckee train station (0.3 miles). Staff confirms compliance with all applicable Historic Design Guidelines for the Category B contributing resource.
Seller financing secured by deed of trust. First payment due 3 months after close of escrow. No prepayment penalty.
Conversion to Guesthouse Pantry—a neighborhood bakery and café serving as the hospitality hub for Truckee Campus operations. The project involves interior renovation of the historic Titus House with minimal exterior modifications including deck expansion, repainting, and kitchen ventilation screening.
| Category | Description | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | Project management, temporary facilities | $51,828 |
| Finish Carpentry | Cabinets ($78K), countertops ($41K), millwork | $171,048 |
| Food Service Equipment | Commercial kitchen, bakery equipment | $150,000 |
| Electrical | Power distribution, lighting ($20K) | $87,108 |
| Plumbing | Commercial fixtures, kitchen rough-in | $69,300 |
| Roofing | Wood shingles to match existing | $61,200 |
| Ceilings & Flooring | Linear wood ceilings, resilient flooring | $85,818 |
| Rough Carpentry | Framing, demolition | $44,784 |
| Other Trades | Fire suppression, tile, paint, structural | $71,059 |
| Total ROM Budget | $792,145 | |
ROM Budgetary Advice by GLA Morris Construction, April 2025. Subject to final design development.
Level 1: 1,814 SF interior | Level 2: 1,705 SF interior | Exterior: 854 SF
Guesthouse Pantry: Neighborhood retail bakery and café with ground floor service area (645 SF), commercial kitchen (388 SF), and mezzanine seating (373 SF). Orchard outdoor seating (400 SF) and front porch (116 SF) provide additional capacity.
Operations: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Type 20 alcohol license for off-sale beer and wine only—no on-site consumption. No live entertainment.
Hub Function: Serves as operational hub for Truckee Campus, providing commissary kitchen support, guest services coordination, and community gathering space for Guesthouse properties within 15-minute radius.
Parking: Exempt under California AB 2097 (0.3 miles from Truckee train station). Shared parking agreement with adjacent Tahoe Mountain Realty property.
The Titus House (c. 1910-1911) is a Category B contributing historic resource in Truckee's Brickelltown neighborhood. Built by Frank Titus Sr., an engineer on the narrow-gauge railroad that transported lumber from Lake Tahoe to Truckee, the house is the only architecturally designed home in Brickelltown—possibly by Walter Bliss, architect of San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel.
The property sits at the western gateway to Downtown Truckee, positioned to activate this historic corridor while preserving the architectural character that earned its Category B designation. Materials salvaged from the original "Ohio House"—a 21-room stage stop where emigrant wagon trains rested—connect the site to California's pioneer history.
The Michael Hsu Office of Architecture design respects the Early 20th Century Gambrel Crosswing style while introducing warm, refined interiors. Design pillars—"Cherish the Past," "Come One, Come All," and "Authentic Whimsy"—guide an approach that is nostalgic yet innovative, warm and familiar, charming and refined.
Design inspiration imagery by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Interior palette features warm woods, handmade tiles, and natural materials.
Benjamin Moore "Hale Navy" HC-154 from the Historical Collection. All modifications comply with Historic Design Guidelines.