By Erick Garcia Chavez 

For more than 80 years, the Spanish-eclectic, Art-Deco style post office has stood proudly at 220 Park Road in Burlingame, California. But for a brief period, the iconic structure took a short journey—just across the parking lot—while a new mixed-use development rose on its original site.  

When planning for the new development, the owner wanted to preserve the 1940s era post office and integrate it into the new construction, which now houses retail and office space, as well as a two-level underground parking garage. Traditional methods of installing support piers beneath the building were deemed impractical due to the building’s configuration. This challenge presented a unique solution: temporarily relocating the entire 1,010-ton building—a task that required careful engineering and creative problem-solving.  

The team designed a temporary support system using concrete piers and steel beams to safely move the structure. First, the historic wings that were to remain in place were carefully separated using concrete saws. Then, hydraulic jacks lifted the main structure, which was placed onto a series of steel beams, allowing it to be rolled approximately 120 feet across the site.  

Meanwhile, excavation and construction of the two underground parking levels proceeded. Once completed, the post office was returned to its original location—now atop a modern foundation of reinforced concrete transfer beams designed to support both the historic building and the new structures around it.  

Throughout the project, we collaborated closely with contractors and architects to ensure compliance with federal historic preservation standards, while also bringing the building up to modern seismic and building codes. New concrete shear walls, carefully tied into the existing roof slab, were added for lateral structural support. The adjacent new construction also serves as a source of lateral bracing, providing additional stability. Thanks to a carefully phased approach, the building maintained its structural integrity during every step of the relocation and restoration process.  

The beautifully restored post office will soon find new life as a vibrant dining space that will open onto the public plaza—ironically, the very spot it temporarily called home during construction.  The renovated structure, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and collaboration that made its preservation possible, blending Burlingame’s architectural heritage with its forward-looking development.