May 15, 2026

Old Wenatchee Jail unlocks a new chapter as culinary and cultural hub

Renderings by Graham Baba Architects [enlarge]

The Old Wenatchee Jail, shown center in the rendering, will be restored and flanked by two new retail buildings. The trio of properties will share a new landscaped plaza.

A historic former jail building is trading bars for boutique retail in downtown Wenatchee. Kirkland's Weidner Apartment Homes is transforming the Old Wenatchee Jail, which dates to 1910, into a one-of-a-kind retail space.

The developer is also building two new retail buildings that will flank the restored jailhouse and a new courtyard/plaza that the trio of properties will share. The vision is to build a new “culinary and cultural hub” for Wenatchee.

The old jailhouse sits at 238 S. Wenatchee Ave.

The project will create a total of six spaces for new businesses. Two of those will be inside the former jail. The remaining four will be split across the new construction.

[enlarge]

A Spanish-style deli and provisions store will open on the ground level of the restored jail building.

Seattle's Graham Baba Architects designed the restoration and the new buildings. GGLO is the project's landscape architect. Construction started last fall and should be finished next year. Avara Construction is the general contractor.

The project team also includes Swenson Say Faget, structural engineer; Forsgren, civil engineer; PAE, mechanical/electrical/plumbing/fire protection engineers; 4EA, building envelope consultant; Studio Pacifica, accessibility consultant; and C. Anthony Fodden, specification writer.

The brick jail building has 2,736 square feet across two levels. It last housed a hotel. The new buildings will be contemporary masonry and have about 8,442 square feet. Graham Baba says the restoration of the jail will preserve the property's unique character.

The jail building's two retail spaces have been claimed. The first floor will house The Vale Butcher and Larder, a Spanish-style butcher and provisions shop featuring house-made grab-and-go items and curated grocery offerings. The second floor will be home to Miss Veedol's speakeasy. Graham Baba is designing these spaces.

The firm is also the architect for a two-level restaurant concept, called col, to open in the new south building, which is on the corner of Kittitas Street.

Col will offer a formal dining experience on the top level and a more casual eatery on the ground level, anchored by a prominent pizza oven.

The speakeasy, butcher shop and restaurants will be operated by a single restaurant group, but with distinct concepts and identities. They aim to operate at different times of day, ensuring a dynamic and continuous activation of the site.

Avara Construction photo, via Facebook [enlarge]

Avara Construction shared this photo in March, as crews were drilling and shoring piles at the Old Wenatchee Jail (shown here at center). 

Graham Baba said the design of each concept incorporates original architectural elements of the jail into their interior design “to preserve and celebrate the building's character.”

The two retail spaces in the second new building are still available to lease. Pacific Asset Advisors and First Western Properties have the listing.

As the DJC reported last March, Weidner is also underway on a 212-unit apartment building in Wenatchee. That property, called The Majestic, is taking shape at 201 S. Mission St., on the corner of Kittitas Street. It sits immediately behind the Old Wenatchee Jail. Construction of the apartments began last January. They are set to open at the same time as the restored jailhouse and new retail buildings. Summer 2027 is the expected opening date.

Exxel Pacific is building The Majestic. Milbrandt Architects is the architect.