by Angela Pettera
805 Living Magazine

Residents of the city of Ventura have been closely watching the old bank building at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets for the past year and a half. Like many structures in downtown Ventura, it has a long history. The Groene Building was erected in 1907 for the Ventura Power Company. In 1928 it was extensively remodeled and decorated in the stvle of the times: Art Deco mixed with Spanish Colonial. La folla-based artist Norman Kennedy was commissioned to paint three murals on its walls. His beautiful moss green, earth brown, and golden yellow images depict early life at San Buenaventura Mission, which is located just up the street. A master plaster craftsman created a hand-stenciled, coffered ceiling. Wooden panels and wainscoting were carved and installed on the walls beneath the murals. Outside, decorative brickwork and glazed Michael Kelly-designed Malibu-style ceramic tiles were applied tn a zigzag design to complement the brass front doors.

Over the years the building has been home to many different businesses including a bank and a jewelry store. Eighteen months ago Mark Hartley, a developer with a passion for restoring old buildings to new glory, snapped it up. That's when things got really interesting. Locals knew his penchant for tasteful design and modern luxury and wondered what he could do with this grand dame. Even though he's restored 11 structures so far, including an 1832 farmhouse in Tennessee and a 1918-era office building in Nashville, he admits, "This has been my most difficult project to date."

To help him with this project, Hartley hired architect Marc Whitman and contractor Peter Livingston to face the daunting modernizing challenges while preserving the integrity of the historical design. They succeeded so well that anyone looking at the outside of the building today would never know that a third story has been added. Interior designer Kathleen Coady riffed off the colors of the mission murals in her fabric choices. Rich winecolored velvet drapes surround the tall, oversized windows looking onto the street. Booths and chairs are swathed in rust and burgundy velveteen brocade along with cognac-colored leather. Travertine tiles interspersed with small copper accents line the floor. A bar made from African mahogany matches the original wall panels and is topped with onyx and underlit to capture the spirit of the late 1920s. Coady and Hartley found lighting fixtures, stained glass, and other architectural details from the Art Deco period to finish the look. A huge, baroque, 8O-year-old gold-framed mirror from the Montecito Ballet School now hdngs in the bar area adjoining the main dining room.

On the mezzanine, guarded by a wrought-iron railing, sits a long table ready for private parties. This wine loft has its own fireplece and wine storage cabinets as well.  Downstairs, behind the main seating area, the bank vault still sits--only now it's holding liquid asstes of high-end spirits like tequila, cognac, and scotch.

The long-curious Ventura onlookers were finally rewarded on July 26.  After a private party thrown by Kevin Costner celebrating the release of his new movie 'Swing Vote', Watermark's brass doors were thrown open to the public.

Now open for dinner, Watermark offers slightly formal but friendly service, trendy cocktails, and more than 35 wines by the glass.  Executive chef Grek Kurtz from Westside Cellar cooks a New American menu heavy on seafood and steak.  Dishes are seasonal and feature products from local farmers and fishermen whenever possible.  A spinach slaed is dotted with orange segments and creamy goat cheese in a refreshing combination.  Main lobster potpie (market price) nestles the lobster meat and veggies in a truffle cream sauce  Steaks from Newport Farms are all natural and very tender.  Cuts like top sirlion ($26), New York ($37), and bone-in rib ey ($39) are grilled under a 1600-degree broiler and smeared with a dab of garlic butter.  The rack of lamb has so much flavor you won't need the demi-glace or the mint hollandaise it sits atop, but the latter is delicious.  The strawberry trio is the most interesting dessert on the short list, but nothing at Watermark is sweeter than its decor.

W2O Rooftop Bar
The Third Story
W2O rooftop bar and lounge crowns the new Watermark restaurant.  It sits on the third story of the renovated Groene Building with panoramic views of downtown Ventura, the hills, and the ocean.  Instead of having vintage decor, W2O sports a modern look in marine blues and seagrass greens.  A jellyfish tank floats above the huge bar faced in way blue glass.  Oversized booths allow guests to lounge comfortably under the retractable roof.  Waiters ferry small platesof food along with splashy, fun, mixed drinks.  The mood is casual elegance and carefree.