DUBLIN, CA—Long-time local Bay Area property owner and developer Jean Di Manto wants to continue the vision of her husband and his partners at Dublin Land Company to develop the approximately 76-gross acre mixed-use property along Tassajara Road between Gleason Drive and Interstate-580. The project currently consists of five vacant parcels known as the Di Manto Property. The proposed development would be named At Dublin, and include retail, entertainment and restaurant space to benefit the local community as well as a hotel.

“Dublin needs a central gathering hub that will serve the community's lifestyle needs,” says Di Manto, matriarch of the Di Manto family, who has built and developed projects in the Amador Valley for more than 40 years. “The city has grown up around this land and now is the perfect time to move forward on a balanced development plan that will add a well-designed commercial retail center with diverse housing options for the community.”

Dublin Land Company purchased the property more than 30 years ago when Dublin was more rural, before Interstate 580 and many local streets were constructed. As Dublin matured into a more dynamic community fulfilling its master plan and with the addition of BART service, DiManto's vision evolved from a large retail center with ample parking to a more balanced mixed-use development on the site that would better complement the neighborhood and its needs. Dublin city leaders have always viewed this site as a prime location for a mixed-use project. Such a project would bring retail, food and entertainment services with the appropriate blend of housing options to complete the neighborhood. This effort would meet the city's goals to add more diverse commercial development options.

Di Manto, Dublin Land Company' managing partner, is overseeing the disposition of the property after the passing of her husband last fall. She has chosen to sell the parcels to SCS Development Company in partnership with retail development and management company Shea Properties to entitle and build the project. Shea Properties will lead the entitlement and manage the building process.

The centerpiece of the project will be a planned entertainment retail center with a town square and walkable pedestrian greenways that connect to a sensible housing component for the growing region. Leasing brokers for the retail component are Kent DeSpain and Hilary Parker of San Francisco-based Retail West.

“Since the 1990s, when the East Dublin specific plan was adopted, how we live and experience life has changed dramatically,” says Brad Deck, senior vice president of commercial for Shea Properties. “We agree with DiManto's later vision, and need to revisit the original plan to develop this site into a community that will remain relevant many years into the future.”

San Francisco-based Field Paoli Architects will envision the retail center, with support from Pleasanton, CA-based Dahlin Group. San Francisco/Sausalito-based SWA landscape architects will plan the landscape design components, including the village green, walkable greenway connections and streetscapes. Shea Properties will initiate community outreach on the project in the coming weeks to better understand the needs and expectations of the surrounding residents and community at large.

“Our goal is to develop a plan that best serves the residents of Dublin and their families,” says Deck. “We want to move forward with a comprehensive plan that will complete east Dublin in a balanced way, providing a fresh retail and entertainment component not currently found in the area. The core principle to the development plan is to create a rich, walkable and integrated experience that is engaging for Dublin's residents.”

The proposed retail component would be food and entertainment-centric, incorporating plazas and a town square to serve as an outdoor gathering place. It would only be a 15-minute bus ride from the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station via Wheels transit.

“The retail component of 'At Dublin' will be completely different than what currently exists in Dublin,” Deck tells GlobeSt.com. “It will certainly have more of an urban feel than what you typically see in a suburban area. It will not be big-box retail—we want 'At Dublin' to be experiential for people. We're focusing on offering a walkable mix of entertainment, health and fitness, restaurants and service which will serve as a gathering space for the community.”

Plans also call for a hotel, an international and independent movie screening house with accompanying dining and beverage experiences, a retro/modern bowling alley with specialty kitchen and signature cocktails, and local specialty restaurant offerings.

Instant Insights /

Dublin to Finally Get Central Gathering Hub

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