Jose Antonio has been tasked with the architecture and design of the entire chain of La Monarca Bakery. With eight current completed locations and three more on paper, Jose Antonio wanted to find a way to preserve the originality of the spaces of each location while also giving each location it’s own individuality.

Jose Antonio’s concept was to use similar layouts and recurring interior design pieces to tie all locations to the brand, however each location would gain it’s own character from the neighborhood in which it resides, as well as its own special type of wood and finishes.

The recent Highland Park location plays off the vibrant Figueroa Corridor where it is located in what once was a trashy old art deco building. The city is encouraging rescue of old architecture and Jose Antonio fully supports this initiative by saving the old composition as often as possible and using minimal contemporary styles where he can. In this location, he left the exposed industrial ceiling and brick walls and used floor to ceiling windows on the corner to bring the neighborhood in.