My parents, Bill and Jade Pier, first came to Mendocino in 1956. They were among the first 'pioneers' from the Bay Area to spend weekends in or near the Village. One of my first memories of Mendocino is circa 1958. Bill Zacha took us on a tour of the property he had just bought on Little Lake Street. At age 4, I didn't understand what was so exciting about these old buildings, but they were soon to be transformed into the Mendocino Arts Center. 3 years later, I attended a concert at the Art Center. Joan Baez and Bob Dylan performed for a rag-tag audience of about 25. While I thought the concert was really good, it wasn't until a few years later that I appreciated whoI had seen.

I spent summers in Mendocino, going mushrooming, blackberry picking, and swimming at the 'secret' beaches up Big River. In the late 1960's and early 70s there was lots of activity on Big River and Portuguese Beaches as people built drift wood shelters and camped for days. My friends and I would go down to the beach to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire - but what we really were doing was 'hippie watching'.

I moved to New York City after I graduated from college, visiting my mother in Mendocino intermittently over the next 25 years. Every time my husband and I, and eventually our two children, made the journey to see 'Grandma Jade' I was awestruck by the beauty of the town and the tower with its windows looking out to sea.

Now that my family and I are back in California we are able to enjoy the serenity of the tower in all the different seasons.

Virginia Pier
Jade's Tower

In 1969 - my mother bought the property on Albion Street with its small cottage. She began dreaming of a second space that could be a peaceful retreat for friends and family. She wanted this new place to reflect the beauty of the ocean and sky, which she did, by integrating architecture and art. Some time around 1975 her dream, now known as Jade's Tower, was completed.

Over the last 35+ years the tower has weathered powerful Pacific storms, stood shrouded in summer fog, and basked in brilliant sunshine. It is now my privilege to share this beautiful space with others.

The large geometric shaped windows of the tower either face the ocean and/or the garden creating a constant interplay of light and color between the tower, garden, sky, and ocean. Inside the tower are built-in bookshelves and benches crafted from recycled 100+ year old redwood, and richly painted murals by Ray Rice, one of the first artists to settle in Mendocino.

Over the years the tower has been updated with new furniture, beds, television and internet but its essential grace and beauty remains unchanged.