The Tioga is a winner for the 2021 Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation. The Tioga, built in 1928 as the Hotel Tioga, was rehabilitated as a 70-unit apartment building for professionals and UC Merced graduate students. Rehabilitation of the Tioga, strongly supported by the City of Merced, was a catalyst for Main Street's resurgence, bringing new jobs, economic opportunity, and nightlife to the city's historic core. The project included the redesign of the existing rooms into studio, one, and two-bedroom units with 20 units adaptable for persons with disabilities. The ground floor and mezzanine level provide a tenant lounge and other shared amenities. The project completely reimagined the original historic lobby that had been divided into five rooms. Exterior facades were restored, including replacement of existing windows with energy-efficient windows of the same style. As the tallest building in Merced, the Tioga is visible from a distance, especially at night when the restored rooftop sign is illuminated. Rehabilitation of the Tioga created desirable rental housing downtown, targeting students at UC Merced and others who are seeking an urban living experience. With a brewery planned for the ground level, a renovated theater and restaurant across the street, and a new hotel a block away, Merced's Main Street is again becoming a destination for entertainment, restaurants, and urban living.