A company that manages event venues nationwide announced Tuesday it is ready to proceed with renovation of North Chapel in Liberty Station after learning its new plan meets historic preservation standards.
“We plan to continue the operation of the North Chapel as a community event venue,” said Tim Wirick, CEO of 828 Venue Management. “The facility will continue to be available for a wide range of community events throughout the week including weddings, religious gatherings, performances, receptions, a variety of other events and faith-based celebrations.”
The Indianapolis-based company, which has operated BRICK in Liberty Station since 2014, leased the chapel in 2018. The chapel had faced closure, but the initially proposed renovation was stalled by community opposition to making any major changes to the building.
Wirick said the company has since worked with a local architect and submitted a new plan to the California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service, receiving confirmation from both that the proposed work meets historic preservation standards.
“We have long wanted to see increased use of this building, and we’re pleased with this plan for adaptive reuse,” said Lisa Johnson, president and CEO, of the NTC Foundation, which oversees the former naval training center.
“Activating the North Chapel for weddings, funerals, and a variety of religious and other special events will create synergies with all the properties on the Liberty Station campus, benefiting not only Point Loma but the greater San Diego community,” she said.
In order to begin work on the project, the company will now seek final approval from the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department.
828 Venue Management operates community venues in California, Indiana, Colorado, Washington, Tennessee and Missouri with a focus on weddings.
North Chapel was built in 1942 in memory of those who were lost in the Pearl Habor attack. It was also the place where many World War II sailors had their last service. Many did not return from the war.
