Liberty Station’s long-quiet North Chapel is back in action. Snake Oil Venue Company has reopened the World War II–era building as a non-denominational events space, wrapping up a preservation-focused renovation in December. The refreshed chapel is slated to host weddings, Navy commissionings, baptisms, and neighborhood gatherings, with modern safety and accessibility upgrades layered onto the original historic shell.
Michael Esposito, founder of Snake Oil Venue Co. and co-founder and CEO of Snake Oil Cocktail Co., led the effort and said the goal was to act as caretaker rather than makeover artist. “We wanted to make sure that we were doing justice to the building,” he explained, while COO Tana Lorah noted the team spent 11 months in due diligence with the city, community groups, and the Navy. As reported by the Times of San Diego, the restored chapel now accommodates about 320 guests.
Restoration Focused on the Chapel’s Original Bones
Renovation crews stripped away decades of carpeting and exposed the original 1940s Douglas fir floors, which were carefully refinished rather than replaced to preserve the historic feel. As detailed by San Diego Magazine, the project carried a price tag of nearly $1.2 million and centers on a roughly 4,000-square-foot main hall, with additional side rooms and outdoor reception spaces that expand the building's use. Architects and contractors described the approach as adaptive reuse that brings the chapel back to life without erasing its past.
From Community Fight to Careful Stewardship
The building’s future was anything but certain a few years ago. A 2018 leasing proposal by 828 Events that would have modernized the interior triggered strong opposition from preservationists and nearby residents, effectively halting the plan, according to the Times of San Diego. Pendulum Properties Partners later brought in Snake Oil in 2023 to steward and reopen the chapel, and Esposito framed the role as, “This wasn’t acquisition; it was responsibility,” as reported by San Diego Magazine. That backstory helps explain why the company now points to outreach and preservation minded upgrades as central to the project.
How Events and Bookings Will Work
Snake Oil plans to operate the North Chapel as an events venue built around a preferred vendor list while still allowing some outside vendors, extending the company’s growing portfolio of local spaces. The company’s venue pages outline full event and beverage services, as shown on Snake Oil, and the Liberty Station website lists the chapel beside the North Promenade at 2851 Roosevelt Road. Booking and event inquiries are being routed through Snake Oil’s venue channels as well as Liberty Station’s event contacts.
The project has been featured in local business roundups and community coverage, as noted by San Diego Business. For specifics on availability and reservations, interested groups are directed to Snake Oil’s venue pages or Liberty Station’s event listings.
