A New Home In Pleasant Hill

My clients, Farrah and Michael, were looking for a home and just closed on this beautiful one in Pleasant Hill. They wanted a place to relax, put up a hammock, and maybe even get a dog. They were referred to me by another client who closed on a house in Walnut Creek last year (thank you, Kim and Adam!).

We looked at just three homes and the third home was a charmer. They wrote on a newer home that was nicely updated but had no yard. They didn’t win that one, but it was a good thing in the end as this home on W. Boyd Rd. checked off most of their boxes. Funny how things just work out for the best.

To win this house, Farrah and Michael beat out three other buyers (in part because they had such a great loan benefit with Kaiser and Matthew Townsend at Union Bank as their loan officer, who knows how to rock through the Kaiser system and loan process quickly and smoothly).

Surprisingly, Farrah was on a trip and did not see the house in person until after we got into contract. She relied on lots of videos and pictures from Michael, and knew he would make a good decision without her physically being there. They looked so happy on closing day, and I’m thrilled at how it all worked out. A big congratulations to them!

Newell Promenade becoming apartments soon?

I have some unsurprising news, fellow Walnut Creekians: another block of high-rise apartments is expected to go up in the downtown area soon.

This time, it’ll be where the Newell Promenade is (360 Burritos, former home of Taxi’s, etc.), across from Kaiser. A developer bought the commercial space and they want to develop it into a mixed space with retail on the bottom and more apartments above. It would include a 5-story, 120,574-sq. ft. building with 102 residential apartments, more retail than is currently in the plaza, plus two levels of parking.

There have been discussions about utilizing the creek in that area; I can see a restaurant with a patio overlooking the creek, but then where would the front entrance be?

The developers who bought the buildings in the Newell Promenade have had conversations about presenting ideas formally to the Parkmead and other surrounding neighborhoods. So far, they’ve had two conversations with members of the Parkmead Community Association but only got some basic input and opinions; not a representation of the entire community. There have also been some informal meetings amongst home owners and attendance at the planning committee.

Walnut Creek City Council asked the group to prove more what they want to do and to make the presentation more user-friendly. Then we will see how it works out. I asked my favorite cleaners – Vogue, who currently are doing business in the Newell Promenade, what their thoughts were. They think it will be a few years out before anything happens and they have another two years on their lease, so they can’t worry about what will be and only continue to focus on their business. My biggest concern will be how much the rents will go up and whether my cleaners will be able to stay at that location.

You can get more information on the development proposal at this link.

Also, on a sidenote, the city is finally putting in a z-shaped crosswalk to make it safer. We won’t have to worry about running over people scurrying across that busy road between Kaiser and Newell Promenade!

Fringe brings freshness to WC floral scene

Fringe Flower Co. in Walnut Creek is not your typical flower shop. With their unique designs, highly-green approach and free delivery to the nearby Kaiser hospital, Sarah and Jeanne do everything differently.

They were two florists who met by chance, conquered a big wedding together, and then decided they wanted a brick and mortar location in the area.

Last year, they founded it and opened up Fringe next to George’s Giant Hamburgers. And now, they’re really in business.

Both Sarah and Jeanne are from the Bay Area and are committed to a holistic business. They source their florals from premium flowers and local growers. Additionally, they work with recycled containers, compost, and deliver leftover florals to community groups, among other philanthropic efforts.

If you ever need a floral arrangement for an event or a wedding, make sure to give them a call! Deliveries can be made online, over the phone or via walk-in, and Fringe specializes in weddings, events, and corporate accounts.

They are open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.