News

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Summer 2022

W.A. Rose Newsletter Summer 2022 (pdf)

Meet Derick Martinez, Project Manager

Derick Martinez joined W.A. Rose in February 2022, and he has more than 12 years of comprehensive project management experience in residential and commercial construction. It was while working with his master-carpenter mentor that he became interested in construction as a career. Read more

Complete Remodel of Fire-Damaged Oakland Commercial/Residential Space

W.A. Rose was the contractor on an extensive, multilevel remodel of a commercial and residential space in downtown Oakland due to fire damage. The project required new plumbing throughout both the commercial and residential parts of the building, including bathrooms, kitchens and laundry facilities. W.A. Rose installed new electrical, windows, floors, doors and cabinets. Read more about this project.

WARose Construction fire rebuild in downtown Oakland 8.

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Fall 2020

WA Rose Construction Newsletter Fall 2020 (pdf)

Golden Gate Petroleum. W.A Rose worked with Golden Gate Petroleum to transform a large empty warehouse into a fully functioning convenience store. We removed a small concession stand in the front of the warehouse, laid out walls to create two ADA bathrooms, a walk-in cooler and back storage rooms. This project was completed within the COVID timeline. Read more. WA Rose Construction: A residential trasformation in Rockridge

Rockridge Makeover. For one Rockridge homeowner, his two-bedroom, one-bath home received a complete makeover that included structural work and increasing its square footage by 963 sq.ft. The home now has a new deck, sprinkler system, hardwood floors, wine room and Marvin windows. Read more.

Rethinking Public Restrooms for the COVID Era

We’re not only behind Europe in our response to the coronavirus, but now it looks like we’re lagging behind our European counterparts when it comes to public toilet design. We should be aspiring to a clean, gender-neutral, single-pod design.

warose construction; reengineering public restrooms for COVID

These are things we might never have thought about during normal times, but nothing’s normal anymore.

But think about this

Commercial toilets don’t have lids, so when you flush, a toilet plume of droplets explodes into the air, aerosolizing the surrounding space. No amount of hand washing will remove COVID-19 sprayed all over your body and clothing.

There’s a groundswell of interest in touchless products

Think touchless toilet flushing, touchless faucets, soap dispensers and doors. Close off every other stall if they’re packed too tightly together. New materials need to repel dirt and withstand regular cleaning with harsh products.

Our public restrooms are not conducive for social distancing

A new vision features bathrooms designed in an “S” shape for privacy but without doors, avoiding having to touch handles. Gender-neutral means that the next one up gets the bathroom, regardless of gender, helping alleviate the packed lines at the women’s restroom. Then create individual gender-neutral stations with faucet, soap, water and hand towels so you’re not washing your hands and walking over to the towel dispenser on the wall, dripping water as you go and creating a trip hazard.

Improved ventilation

It’s time to take a look at our HVAC systems. Ventilating with outdoor air is an important part of keeping shared spaces safe. According to the CDC, the coronavirus appears to spread indoors through close personal contact and poor circulation of building ventilation systems. Our sealed commercial building environments are likely not doing us any favors.

A few other tips: Get in and out quickly

Save your schmoozing for when you get out of the restroom. If you have to open a door, use hand sanitizer afterwards. Try to avoid using the bathroom altogether—or as little as possible. Limit consumption of liquids if you know you’re going to be relying on public restrooms. There’s a lot at stake. Be safe.

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Spring 2020

W.A Rose Construction Newsletter Spring 2020 (pdf)

Home Offices Reimagined

We are converting garages, spare bedrooms and family rooms. Once kids leave home, some families are finding that those now-empty bedrooms make attractive, highly functional offices. Formal living rooms or dining rooms that are not part of today’s casual lifestyle are finding second lives as offices.

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Fall 2019

W.A. Rose Construction Newsletter Fall 2019 (pdf)

It’s Fire Season

We are all concerned about what will happen if PG&E turns off our power for 3-5 days at a time.

Winter storms and high winds can topple trees and cause power outages. How will these affect:
Family members who may require access to electronic medical
equipment?
Expensive landscaping and swimming pools that depend on electricity for irrigation and pool maintenance?
Those who work from home and require access to online applications?

With your own generator, you can continue working and keep your home and family safe and secure.

We evaluate your needs and identify the generator that is the right fit for your property and your family. Contact us for a free consultation: 510-444-2723

W.A Rose Construction an Underwriter Sponsor of Piedmont’s Heart of the Home Tour

W.A. Rose is proud to once again support Piedmont’s Children’s Support League and their Heart of the Home Tour fundraiser that benefits at-risk kids. The two-day event on April 26-27 features a self-guided tour of five beautiful homes and a pop-up boutique. Donations support a variety of nonprofit agencies that benefit disadvantaged children in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

W.A. Rose Construction Hosts NARI

WARose Construction hosted the construction industry's premier networking group, NARI W.A. Rose hosted November’s NARI meeting in what is becoming an annual event. NARI’s a great opportunity to spend time with our community of contractors, designers and other remodeling industry professionals.

Jim Tibbs reminded us that the REMMIE awards for 2018 are coming up, with the annual award dinner in the spring.

WARose Construction hosted NARI again this year--the Bay Area's premier contractor group The program featured Bob Artz, President of Polaris One and Insurance Coach U. He coaches business owners and financial services professionals who want to achieve more in their professional and personal lives. He partners with his clients to increase sales, customer loyalty, producer retention, and personal productivity.

W.A. Rose Construction Named to SF Business Times’ List of 100 Fastest Growing Companies

W.A. Rose Construction has been named to the San Francisco Business Times’ List of the Bay Area’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

“We’re proud of our reputation for consistently delivering on schedule and budget. It requires careful planning and detailed preliminary conversations. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with local businesses, area homeowners, nonprofits, unions, public works and schools. These are wonderful clients who continue to come back to us for upgrades and improvements. Some of the projects are small, but taking care of our clients is important to us. It’s how we’ve grown our business”, said Jocelyn Newell, General Manager.

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Fall 2018

W.A. Rose Construction Newsletter Fall 2018 (pdf)

Lesher Center’s Portal to the Arts

WARose Construction built a portal from the parking garage to the Lesher Center.

W.A. Rose was delighted to be chosen as the contractor to build the Lesher Center’s Portal to the Arts–a covered walkway from the North Locust St. parking garage to the Theater’s courtyard. Not only will the Portal help protect theater-goers from stormy weather, the Center is now ADA accessible–making it easier for all patrons to attend events. Read more

Transformation of an Uptown Loft

WA Rose Construction turned an old studio apartment into a sleek, beautiful pied a terre.

This loft is located in the heart of Oakland’s lively Uptown neighborhood. Using a color palette in beautiful soft shades of blonde, bronze and brown, we turned a dark 1,200 sq.ft. space into an inviting, masculine studio apartment. Read more

W.A. Rose in Our Community

A great way to start the day? Supporting our community!

warose construction in the community

warose in our community

A big shoutout to the Oakland Mayor’s Office and the Teamsters Union for putting together a project to help our seniors.

Many of us these days are helping aging family members with small tasks they no longer can do themselves. The Teamsters scheduled a free curbside pickup of old furniture and other unwanted items for Oakland homeowners. Mayor Schaaf’s office reached out to the Rotary for volunteers to help those who could no longer lift heavy items themselves. Jason Granger and Victor Venegas responded and helped several elderly Oakland residents move heavy items, including a sofa, chairs and a desk for a 94-year old homeowner.

“Hats off to you, Jason, for your service above self; it is such a pleasure to work with you!”

Yvonna Cázares
Policy Director, Community Engagement/Office of Mayor Libby Schaaf, City of Oakland

Oakland Rotary

W.A. Rose Construction is proud to be part of this hardworking service organization that supports the Oakland community. This business mixer was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work, meet new people and enjoy good music, food and drinks.

WARose Construction Rotary event

Jason Granger, Business Development; Project Manager Nathan Parks

Celebrating the 4th of July in Piedmont

W.A. Rose has built a lot of great community relationships over the years, including this one: Since 1996, a W.A Rose truck has been part of Piedmont’s 4th of July Parade. The Barrel House Jazz Band climbs on board and Greg Bloom drives them down the parade route! Greg remembers Bill and Alma Rose and appreciates the W.A. Rose team’s continued support for this event.

Rebuilding Together Oakland

W.A. Rose Construction teamed up with Rebuilding Together Oakland to WA Rose construction working together oakland rebuild a deck and staircase for an elderly couple in Oakland. They loved their small deck, but it had become rickety and unsafe. The Rose solution? We completely demolished the existing deck, stairs and piers, poured new piers and landing, framed the deck and stairs and installed new redwood deck boards, posts and railings.

warose construction rebuilding together The W.A. Rose team and Executive Director Lisa Malul

We also installed wire mesh underneath the deck to keep out rodents and other pests. This was a small project for the W.A. Rose team, but it made a big difference in the lives of this couple, who couldn’t afford to repair or replace it. The timing couldn’t be better–they’ll have their deck for the warm summer days ahead.

We were delighted to be able to help

The Rebuilding Together program helps make critical home repairs for low-income senior and disabled homeowners. The volunteers who work on these projects are helping ensure the safety, comfort and independence of the homeowners.

W.A. Rose Newsletter Highlights: Spring 2018

W.A. Rose Construction Newsletter Spring 2018 (pdf)

Leading the Pack: Temescal’s New Pet-grooming Studio

When Leading the Pack owner Caitlyn Schleifer decided it was time to start her own pet-grooming business, she found a welcoming, open space in Oakland’s bustling Temescal neighborhood. No walls, plumbing or electrical. Our unique challenge–waterproofing! Anyone who’s ever bathed a dog knows it’s a messy affair, so the space needed to tolerate a constant assault of water. We installed tile on the floor and eight feet up the walls.

What We’re Working On: Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center

We’re building a portal from the parking garage to the theater. This upgrade means that patrons walking from the garage to the theater will be shielded from the elements. We’re excited to be teaming with architect Steve Thorne, Diablo Regional Arts Association and the City of Walnut Creek. Look for pictures and a description of this project in a future newsletter.

A W.A.Rose Reunion–because 82 years is something to celebrate!

We invited old friends and new, including our subcontractors. Those who were part of our past success as well as our present.

WA Rose Construction had a reunion to celebrate 82 years in business in Oakland

The highlight: Alma Rose!

Mrs. Rose worked alongside her husband, Bill, at W.A. Rose. She was excited about this event and prayed all morning that the rain would stop; by noon the sun broke through. Mrs. Rose was happy to see familiar old faces and meet our new W.A. Rose team.

A wonderful afternoon of good food and community

WARose Construction celebrating 82 years of business in Oakland

A time to recognize our past, as we renew our commitment to excellence.

WARose Construction reunion celebrating 82 years in oakland

This is the tradition that Mr. and Mrs. Rose established more than 80 years ago

Piedmont Education Foundation: Spring Fling 2018

WA Rose Construction Spring Fling benefitting Piedmont Public Education W.A. Rose Construction is proud to again be a sponsor of Spring Fling, Piedmont Education Foundation’s annual fundraiser benefiting the three Piedmont elementary schools. Funds go directly to the schools, supporting music, science, art, math, computer, library activities and other vital programs.

Piedmont’s Heart of the Home Tour

WARose Construction was proud to be a sponsor again this year for Piedmont's Heart of the Home tour We are proud to again be a sponsor of the Heart of the Home Tour–the 30^th year for Piedmont’s fundraiser benefitting at-risk kids on April 27-28. There will be five featured homes and a pop-up boutique with more than 30 vendors. The Children’s Support League of the East Bay produces this annual event that helps improve the lives of children in our community.

Bisnow: Oakland’s Annual State of the Market Summit

WARose construction sponsored the busnow conference W.A. Rose Construction was a sponsor for this year’s annual summit: What Can We Expect for 2018: Investment Update and the Bay Area Comparison.

Some of the topics facing Oakland business owners:

Where are East Bay CRE investors placing their money?
With San Francisco office rents reaching new heights, is Oakland ready for steady growth?
New and emerging Oakland neighborhoods: Alameda, Downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt!
With the Golden State Warriors and Uber headed to Mission Bay, who is going to become the East Bay’s rising-star tenant?

PRESS RELEASE

Feb. 12, 2018, Oakland, CA, WA Rose Construction, 510.444.2723, jocelyn.newell@warose.com

Blake Gilmore Joins Oakland’s W.A. Rose Construction

WA Rose Construction Blake_Gilmore W.A. Rose Construction is pleased to announce that Blake Gilmore, owner of Blake Gilmore General Contractor (BGGC), has joined Oakland’s W.A. Rose Construction as Senior Estimator. Blake will be taking on other responsibilities with the company as the year progresses.

Blake started BGGC in 1981; since then, he has completed hundreds of residential projects throughout the greater Bay Area. “We’ve been talking about this partnership for a while now, and it seemed like the right time to make the move. I’m impressed with the reputation that W.A. Rose has built. They’re busy for a reason. They do things the right way and take care of their clients. I’m excited about joining their team, and I believe I can provide value in a number of ways.”

With more than 30 years of comprehensive construction experience, Blake’s expertise extends to pre-construction planning and estimating, kitchen and bath remodels, seismic upgrades, waterproofing and defect mitigation and green building technology. He is also recognized for his skill working on historic restoration and renovation projects.

According to General Manager Jocelyn Newell, “We are delighted to have Blake join our team. He will be instrumental in helping us grow our residential construction business. Blake has built a reputation in the community for quality and integrity; he is a good fit for W.A. Rose.”