Louis Bank Lures Earp Once More

Earp Corp. purchased the 24,500-square-foot office building located at 835-837 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego. Better known as the Louis Bank of Commerce Building, the five-level building was designed by Clemment & Stannard Architects and constructed in 1888 in the Baroque Revival style as the first granite building in San Diego. The 33 rooms on the upper floors were rented as lodging. In 1893, Louis opened an oyster bar that became a favorite hangout of western lawman Wyatt Earp. Through the years, the upper floors served a variety of functions, including the Golden Poppy Hotel, a well-known brothel operated by Madam Coara. The decor of the rooms and the attire of the working ladies were supposedly coordinated. In 1988, the property completed an extensive renovation and now a restaurant currently occupies the ground floor and a nightclub occupies the basement with the upper floors being offices. The buyer agreed to purchase the office building for $5.35 million, approximately $218 per square foot. Greg Wagner of Capital Growth Properties represented the buyer. Ty Considine of Considine Commercial Real Estate, along with Sheila LaMire of United Brokers Network, represented the seller, Louis Gaslamp Building LLC.