Fourth Street Retail Space to Become Swanky Music Venue

The storefronts from 917 to 921 Fourth St. will get a new, glamorous look thanks to a Bay Area music entertainment group.

The San Rafael Design Review Board approved a permit to remodel the space sandwiched between and at their Tuesday meeting. The space will become a new music venue operated by Fenix Entertainment, LLC.

The venue will include a restaurant, bar, live entertainment and dancing and will open in 2012, according to their website.

“Our goal is to try to infuse music back to the local grass roots level,” Fenix Chief Executive member Laura van Galen said.

The building contains three retail spaces, a former See’s Candies, and . The company will combine the three stores into one and install four signs including a marquee on the building’s exterior. They will also repaint the front with white, grey and black.

“I have another historic building in San Francisco, so I understand the value of a historic building and having it as it is,” van Galen said.

The Design Review Board agreed with all the remodel, except for a changing electronic sign proposed for the front.

“That electronic sign just bothers me. I don’t think it’s right for Fourth Street,” board member Cheryl Lentini said.

Board members unanimously approved the project without the electronic sign.

“I think this is an exciting project,” board member Stewart Summers said. “Once you open, you’ll have to find a seat for me.”