A corner reimagined
Turning an empty building into a reason to stay downtown.
Jimmy's began as a proposal to transform a vacant, inward-facing property at 701 W. Whittier Boulevard into a family-friendly restaurant, pub, and social playground for downtown Montebello.
The concept brought together food, locally crafted beer, games, and flexible gathering space in one open, welcoming place. It was designed for first dates and family afternoons, team events and birthday parties, a quick happy hour or a long game with friends.
This page documents the proposed concept and design work. The renderings represent design intent and should not be read as photographs of completed construction.
The opportunity
Open the building. Engage the boulevard.
The existing building was vacant, distressed, and largely closed to both pedestrians and passing traffic. Its street-facing facade limited natural light and gave the corner little connection to the public realm.
Our proposal treated those constraints as the design brief: remove the dated facade elements, bring daylight deep into the space, create a stronger relationship between inside and outside, and turn the patio into an active part of the downtown streetscape.
Design approach
A more open, useful, and social building.
Open the edge
Large glass garage-style doors were designed to replace the closed street facade, creating a shared indoor-outdoor experience and making activity inside visible from the boulevard.
Lift the room
Removing the drop ceiling and introducing skylights would expose the building's height, bring in daylight, and create a brighter, more generous interior.
Activate the patio
A landscaped dining area and parklet-like street edge would give the corner a distinct identity while supporting foot traffic and everyday use of downtown.
Mix the uses
A separate bar, dining areas, televisions, and games such as miniature golf, skee-ball, and ping-pong were organized to feel connected without competing for space.
Hospitality with a local point of view
Built for more than one kind of guest.
The food and beverage program centered on fresh fusion dishes, American classics, locally sourced ingredients, and local craft beer.
The larger idea was equally important: build a place flexible enough to welcome families, friends, coworkers, sports fans, and neighbors without asking any one group to feel like an afterthought.
Community commitments
- Create a new destination for downtown Montebello
- Increase pedestrian activity and support walkability
- Modernize a distressed, vacant property
- Generate local jobs and sales-tax activity
- Propose donating 2% of profits to Montebello parks
The work behind the proposal
Development, design, operations, and community value considered together.
Desert Brothers Craft developed the operating concept, site strategy, community-benefit case, and acquisition proposal. N.S. Designs contributed architectural and permitting expertise, while chef Joey Larma supported the culinary direction.
The 2019 plan anticipated a substantial renovation of the building and kitchen, coordination with the City's permitting departments, and a roughly seven-month construction period after approvals and commencement. The proposal estimated a $675,000 project investment and requested no public subsidy.
The lasting idea
