A New Gateway for Yucaipa: The Ozasi Jewelry Store Project

After several months of careful study, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, Higginson Architects, Inc. (HAI) reached a major milestone this week. On February 18, 2026, HAI proudly presented the proposed Ozasi Jewelry Store to the City of Yucaipa Planning Commission — a project that embodies persistence, vision, and thoughtful design.

A Challenging Site with a Unique Opportunity

Every successful project begins with understanding the constraints, and this site presented no shortage of them. The property sits adjacent to the Yucaipa Boulevard freeway off-ramp, a location offering exceptional visibility to passing motorists but accompanied by a complex site configuration. Over the decades, the parcel remained vacant — not because it lacked potential, but because its physical limitations made many conventional commercial developments impractical.

Rather than viewing these conditions as obstacles, HAI approached them as design drivers.

The combination of high vehicular exposure, circulation constraints, and long-standing vacancy required a design strategy that balanced aesthetics, functionality, and city planning objectives. Projects like this demand more than standard solutions — they require patience, flexibility, and close coordination with regulatory agencies.

Collaboration as the Foundation

HAI was retained by John Ozasi to bring his vision for a new jewelry store to life. From the outset, the goal was clear: create a building that feels modern, inviting, and appropriate for one of the city’s most visible corridors.

Achieving that outcome meant working hand-in-hand with the City of Yucaipa Planning Department. Through ongoing dialogue, design refinements, and careful evaluation of site constraints, the team developed a solution that satisfied both architectural and planning priorities. This cooperative process is central to HAI’s philosophy — successful projects are built on communication, not simply drawings.

From Vacant Parcel to Gateway Project

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Ozasi Jewelry Store is its broader civic impact. Sites that remain vacant for decades often become visual gaps in the urban fabric. Transforming such a parcel into an active, well-designed development can reshape how an area is perceived.

The Planning Commission presentation highlighted how the project will function as a “gateway” development — a visually prominent introduction to the city for visitors exiting the freeway. The building’s contemporary character and refined architectural expression are designed to complement the evolving identity of the corridor while respecting nearby developments.

Importantly, the project’s architectural language was crafted to harmonize with the design themes established by the Yucaipa Pointe Development, reinforcing visual continuity along Yucaipa Boulevard.

A Positive Step for the Community

Beyond architecture and planning considerations, the Ozasi Jewelry Store represents something equally meaningful: economic activity and local investment. Introducing a new business at such a strategic location contributes to the city’s vitality while providing residents with additional retail opportunities.

For HAI, projects like this are particularly rewarding. They demonstrate how thoughtful design, when combined with persistence and collaboration, can unlock sites long considered too difficult or constrained.

As the project advances through the remaining approval and development stages, HAI looks forward to seeing this once-vacant property evolve into a distinctive and welcoming addition to the Yucaipa community — a true example of how challenges can inspire better design.