The Napa Valley is known for its world-class restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutique shops and, of course, fabulous wine. Each year more than five million tourists flock the Napa Valley in search of these eminent pleasures, keeping the retail sector continuously growing. Consumers spend $2.5 million on an average day in the region, providing the engine that drives the thriving retail development business here.
Napa Junction and Canyon Corners are leading the way in American Canyon’s retail development sector. Napa Junction, a 57-acre property at the southern entrance to the Napa Valley, is a joint venture between Zapolski + Rudd and Lake Street Ventures. Napa Junction is currently the only Napa County parcel able to accommodate large retail tenants. Phase one of the project includes 214,000 square feet of retail space, which houses a fully approved 175,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter and 38,000-square-foot additional retail including Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Round Table Pizza, Radio Shack and Payless Shoes. Phase one also includes 216 residential units and a three-acre community park. Phase three will be located across Napa Junction Road to the north and is proposed to add 150,000 square feet of retail space.
Canyon Corners, an office/retail development by RH Hess Developments, provides 50,000 square feet of mixed-use space. Ultimate Fitness occupies 36% of the project; 29% is occupied by restaurants, 28% by service and medical professionals, and 7% is yet to be leased. Red Brick Pizza, China Chef Wok & Grill, H&R Block and Fast Signs are just a few of the retailers calling Canyon Corners home.
In Napa, the downtown core is being revitalized with mixed-use development. An estimated one million square feet of new construction is planned in the next decade. Projects such as the Riverfront, Oxbow Public Market, Main Street West, Napa Square and the Inn at Town Center are leading the retail sector of this downtown renaissance.
The Riverfront, located at the corner of Main Street and the Third Street Bridge, is a signature piece of this Napa River revitalization. This mixed-use, European-style project will overlook the Napa River and consist of 42,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 30,000 square feet of Class A office space and 50 residential condos.
Oxbow Public Market, located next to COPIA, is bringing famous, food-oriented retailers from all over the North Bay to downtown Napa. Retailers such as Kitchen Library, Oxbow Cheese Merchant, Tillerman Tea Company, Whole Spice, Fe^te^ and Folio Wine Company (Michael Mondavi’s "micro-winery") will open shop just steps away from one another. The market will be similar to the Ferry Building in San Francisco—loaded with great shops and restaurants, a one-stop shop for locals and tourists alike.
Main Street West will be the Wiseman Company‘s second three-story, Class A building in Napa. The first floor is scheduled to be primarily retail space, with the second and third floors designed for offices. Of the 12,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, 5,000 square feet will house two restaurants including Pizza Azzuro. The remaining balance of retail space is available. Expected occupancy is targeted for January 2008.
Napa Square, also located in downtown Napa, is taking over the old Wells Fargo Bank location and developing a three-building complex, totaling 68,000 square feet. The complex will include 57,000 square feet of office space, 8,000 square feet of retail space and underground parking. Leases are available for $3 (3N). The project is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2008.
A five-story hotel/retail complex, the Inn at Town Center, is planned to be built directly across from Napa Square. The Inn will be comprised of 144 suites, 2,000 square feet of meeting space and approximately 12,000 square feet of retail space. It’s scheduled to open in 2008.
Further up-valley in Calistoga, Solage resort has opened. The restaurant (Solbar), gym, movement studio and main pools are officially open, with the spa and gift shop scheduled to debut in mid-August. Solage is the newest addition to the Auberge Resort family.
Despite Napa County’s thriving tourist and retail market, it still remains the most rural county in the Bay Area. Only 2% of the earth’s surface enjoys this Mediterranean climate so necessary to creating the world’s greatest wines. The result: a virtual paradise for residents and tourists alike to enjoy la dolce vita.
