Moraga’s Hacienda de las Flores, which can be seen through a grove of trees from Moraga Road, was built in 1916. The La Sala building, a later addition to the property, was added in 1977.  While the main building has stood the test of time with occasional repairs, La Sala has not. As such, Moraga Town Council members were called upon to make the tough decision of beginning a demolition process of the badly deteriorating building.

    Throughout its existence, the La Sala building has served as a meeting place, storage unit, and recreation facility. According to a July 8 staff report by Public Works Director/Town Engineer Nate Levine and Parks and Recreation Director Mackenzie Brady, “Over time, La Sala has become a building without a clear long-term purpose, a funded repair plan, or an active capital investment strategy.  The building has been discussed in prior Hacienda planning and asset-management efforts, but the Town Council has not made a specific decision regarding its future use, repair, replacement, or removal.” The report added that a 2016 feasibility study by an outside contractor suggested that the building be removed and the area expanded into a drop-off courtyard and patio.    

    An April 2026 preliminary assessment of La Sala’s condition uncovered water damage and related environmental conditions. This was determined through visual observations, moisture measurements, and air and surface sampling. Due to these unsafe conditions the building has remained closed.

    The staff report noted that returning La Sala to a functioning facility “would require removing affected materials, completing remediation, repairing and restoring the removed materials, addressing roof and leak-related conditions to prevent recurrence, and completing any additional work identified once materials are opened up.  It would also not address longer-term structural and site concerns unless the Town invested in a larger repair and stabilization project.”     

    Levine presented council with various scenarios with regards to La Sala’s future or fate.  A limited repair/reopening approach would cost approximately $50,000 to $100,000 and would address only the most immediate water damage and remediation needs. A basic repair and stabilization approach would include remediation, roof repair or replacement, basic foundation stabilization, and related work at a cost of $350,000 to $400,000. An enhanced repair and stabilization approach would involve more substantial foundation work, roof repair, remediation, repair of secondary building damage, utility-related repairs, and related improvements all costing between $750,000 to $800,000.  Lastly, a full repair/improvement approach, besides including all of the above, would need to consider the building’s close proximity to a creek-bank that could continue to slide over time. This all-encompassing approach could surpass $1 million.

    A complete demolition of La Sala would entail removing the building, handling hazardous materials, handling environmental requirements, utility disconnection and capping, site stabilization, contingency, and any unknown field conditions. The preliminary engineer’s estimate for the demolition is $150,000 to $250,000.

    While the recent closure of La Sala has had some impacts on the Parks and Recreation Department’s use of the building, Recreation Supervisor Jasmine Bateson informed the council members that staff has already shifted any La Sala use to the Casita (another small building on the property) and the Moraga Library Community Room. Additionally, Parks and Rec staff has created an outdoor classroom in the south/east corner of the Hacienda property by using the picnic tables under the trees. 

    The kitchen in La Sala was used for culinary classes which Bateson stated have not been moved to the Hacienda’s kitchen due to it being a catering kitchen, “but it’s something that could be looked into.”

    Council Members Lisa Maglio, Graham Thiel, and Vice Mayor Brian Dolan approved the La Sala demolition.  Council Member Steve Woehleke voted against it, and Mayor Kerry Hillis recused himself due to his resident’s proximity to the Hacienda.

    Staff will begin to prepare demolition plans, specifications, and bid documents.  

    Levine assured council that staff will evaluate opportunities for salvage, reuse, or recycling of building materials where feasible (especially roofing tiles). Staff intends to coordinate with Wedgewood Weddings in regards to potential post-demolition site considerations.  “The current near-term thought is for some sort of outdoor/landscaping improvement (decorative in nature),” stated Levine. “This will be somewhat dependent on Wedgewood.  Longer-term, there is greater opportunity, and this will be considered in the Parks and Rec's Master Plan Update that is currently in process.”   

    Levine added, “Assuming things move forward, the goal is to demo the building before the rainy season, but there is coordination with Wedgewood and others, so I cannot say definitively that it will happen. We do not anticipate a significant impact to parking when work does occur, meaning parking will still be available for events.”