A former office building in San Rafael's Canal District that was converted into permanent supportive housing has won a national architecture award for its design and community impact.

Casa Canal, at 3301 Kerner Blvd., received the 2026 Gold Nugget Award of Merit for Best Renovated, Restored, or Adaptive Re-Use Residential Project, the City of San Rafael announced Monday, July 20. The award, presented by the California Building Industry Association and the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, is now in its 63rd year and drew more than 800 entries this cycle.

The three-story, 24,018-square-foot building at the intersection of Kerner and Bellam boulevards sat vacant before Marin County purchased it in December 2020 using $5.94 million from California's Project Homekey program toward the $7.2 million acquisition price. Eden Housing developed the conversion, Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP designed it, and D+H Construction served as general contractor. The project was completed in April 2025.

The finished building holds 32 studio apartments, eight one-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom manager's unit. All 41 resident units serve people exiting homelessness, with 26 designated for clients of Homeward Bound's Carmel Center shelter at 830 B St. in downtown San Rafael and 14 filled through Marin County's Coordinated Entry System under the state's No Place Like Home program.

The city said it provided multiple awards from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help finance the project, though it did not disclose specific dollar amounts. Additional funding came through California's Housing Accelerator program, according to D+H Construction's project description.

The conversion required full replacement of plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and fire and life-safety systems to meet residential standards. Design features include a redeveloped patio courtyard, community room, case manager offices, rooftop solar panels, and an all-electric building. A former parking deck was converted into outdoor open space and a gardening area. Apartments were furnished with donated furniture through Make It Home Bay Area.

The site sits directly across the street from a major transit stop, a grocery store, and the County of Marin's Health and Wellness Campus.

The Award of Merit makes Casa Canal a finalist for the Gold Nugget Grand Award, which will be announced at the 63rd Annual Gold Nugget Awards Gala on Wednesday, July 29, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista.