Hamilton Marketplace
Novato, CA
A new sight greets evening drivers as they drive north toward Novato. Glittering pedestrian lamps and arched shop entries of the new Hamilton Marketplace capture the eye and the shopper’s imagination. The 90,000 sf mission style shopping center was completed in August 2008 and is a showcase for premiere planning, architecture, and implementation of green, sustainable construction. The project was honored by North Bay Business Journal in its 2008 Top Ten Construction Projects Awards as the Best in Retail.
The developer, Grosvenor USA, is committed to sustainable growth principles and partnered with The City of Novato Redevelopment Agency, Nadel Architects, Midstate Construction, CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Gates & Associates, and Safeway for a successful collaboration. Team leadership and good communication skills maintained momentum and brought the project to completion ahead of schedule and on budget.
The northerly building is a new Wells Fargo Bank. The center building comprises 16 shops and restaurants and is already home to several tenants including Verizon Wireless, Peet’s Coffee & Teas, Petco Express, Sonoma Latina Grill and Yogen Fruz Yogurt. At the south side of the shopping center is the new 55,000 sf Safeway Store with an adjacent gas station.
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Noteworthy site modifications are the 27,000 cubic yards of soil fill, extensive leveling, conversion of an existing storm-retention ditch into a complex flood prevention system, and coordination with the anticipated Smart Rail project of the North Bay area for railway easements. Green sustainable design elements include bioswales with soil-based materials to filter run-off water for a pollution-free water-table, progressive storm drains designed to recycle water, and retention pipes to hold heavy rain run-off which allows for gradual release to prevent flooding. Solar energy is provided by 165 high efficiency solar modules generating 44,960 kilowatt hours annually to service common areas, walkways and some parking lot areas.
Prominent architectural features are the mission style, variegated red tile roof, ample pedestrian level lighting and customer-friendly pedestrian pathways connecting the three components: Safeway - retail shops - bank. The pedestrian walks at the shops building are remembered by shoppers for the site-wide speaker-sound system, mature olive trees, two fountains with granite bowls, colored tile designs, a mural, and the whimsical sculpture of a gaggle of brass ducks placed around the fountains - even brass duck footprints leading to the fountains.
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