The Landing at Hamilton | New Homes | Novato

Hamilton Field, Novato’s final residential development, is a secluded enclave of luxurious homes reflecting timeless style and contemporary conveniences. These thoughtfully designed homes focus on sophistication, beauty, and community. Residents will enjoy spacious and refined interior spaces, along with the peace of mind associated with living in such a charming neighborhood adjacent to a rich wildlife sanctuary.

An unrivaled passion for excellence and detail is exhibited in each home. The Landing at Hamilton benefits from easy access to recreation, dining, shopping, schools, transportation, and the myriad benefits of living at Hamilton Field in Novato. Pricing begins at approximately $840,000 for the smallest homes and ranges up to approximately $900,000 for the larger homes. There will be four models in up to three elevations, ranging from ~2,432 square feet to ~3,000 square feet.

Click HERE for more.

Hamilton Field Pool Nearly Complete

An aging public pool at Hamilton Field, Novato is almost ready for a grand debut after a $5 million renovation. The pool is located across from Hamilton Field’s “The Landing at Hamilton” new home development (which is set to break ground in coming months) and the existing neighborhood of South Gate.

The renovation was approved unanimously by the Novato City Council in November 2007 and final plans were approved in March 2008. The leaky old pool was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and access to its bathhouse was restricted by the Marin County health department.

The revamped facility at 206 El Bonito Road includes a main pool of 185,000 gallons and a shallow pool of 12,000 gallons. There is new decking, piping, lighting and landscaping plus bathhouses.

Solar power and water leaks that have been fixed will lead to considerable savings compared with costs of the old pool, but the city will have to pay the water bill that was previously paid by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Traditionally, Hamilton Pool has been open Memorial Day through the end of September. If a private operator is signed to a contract, it could be open year-round, Shinault said.

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The above information was derived from an article in the Marin Independent Journal, 10/30/09. If you have any questions relating to Novato real estate, call Kyle Frazier at (415) 350-9440.

Kyle Frazier, CRS (Christies’s Great Estates | Morgan Lane Marin Real Estate | Pacific Union International)

Paradise Foods Set To Open

Southern Novato will soon benefit from another grocery store — the highly anticipated Paradise Foods is scheduled to open next week, according to the Marin IJ. I drive by the site regularly and sure enough it is looking good. The entire shopping center (on Ignacio, just west of HWY 101), which lost its anchor tenant Safeway last year (Safeway opened its mega-store across HWY 101 at Hamilton Center — it is the best Safeway in Marin, by all accounts), is looking great.

Below is the article from the IJ — note the shameless self promotion near the bottom of the article ….

Hallelujah! — Northern Marin Commuters Rejoice

After several years (6 long years) the Highway 101 freeway widening project will result in a free-flowing, uninterrupted four lanes beginning Monday February 2, 2009. It is estimated that the widened freeway will lessen overall congestion and improve commute times through Marin by upwards of 15 minutes. Novato commuters rejoice!

Hamilton Landing and Hamilton Marketplace Win Awards

Projects associated with Novato’s Hamilton Field continue to rack-up recognition — Hamilton Landing (a robust business hub now occupying the former hangers (circa 1930) of the Hamilton military base) and Hamilton Marketplace (a diverse new shopping center with a mega-deluxe-Safeway (and associated gas station), Peet’s, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, banking, restaurants (still to come), pet supplies, and more) were named “Top Projects in the North Bay” by the North Bay Business Journal. Both feature unique architecture and green building elements. Hamilton Marketplace also incorporated solar power.

[Click here for the rest of the article, courtesy of www.MarinCRS.com.]

Horse Lovers Welcome

Novato (located in Northern Marin County, California) is one of the few locations within the Bay Area (and within 30 minutes of San Francisco) where equestrians can roam with relative ease. Indeed, if you spend any time hiking or driving through Novato’s Wild Horse Valley, Mt. Burdell open space, Atherton Corridor, or Pleasant Valley, you are highly likely to encounter horses and their riders enjoying the laid back atmosphere. There are also numerous boarding, instructional, and leisurely riding facilities in Novato. There is even a horseman association (Novato Horseman, Inc.) with several hundred members, which engage in trail rides and social events year round. 

There are numerous horse properties in Novato. They are concentrated in several highly desirable neighborhoods characterized by an overall country feel, including the Atherton Corridor (along Atherton Avenue between HWY’s 101 and 37), Indian Valley, Wild Horse Valley, and on the western side of town.

If you would like a list of all available horse properties in Novato, California, or Marin County, please get in touch with Kyle Frazier, Marin Realtor & CRS, at (415) 350-9440.

Novato Benches = Street Art

Just this morning, Novato’s Old Town was the scene of a minor commotion as the newest piece of street art was being positioned on Grant Avenue. This installation was the latest of a series of artistic benches commissioned by the city to be installed along Grant Avenue.  

These artsy benches were created by Jeffrey Cooper, a New Hampshire artist. He has enhanced public spaces across the nation with his unique vision.

Indeed, a few days ago a trio of grazing horses were set out to pasture on Grant Avenue. The appearance of grazing horses across from Grazie Cafe certainly delighted my children–one of whom happened to be wearing her Halloween cowgirl costume when she first noticed the horses. 

The art has been funded by fees paid by real estate developers for various projects. The remaining benches should be intalled by the end of November.

Novato Named “Best Affordable Town”

As reported in the Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Marin County (California)was named by Business News magazine as one the nation’s “Best Affordable” towns near a major and expensive metropolis–in this case, the San Francisco Bay Area. Numerous factors went into the analysis including housing prices (averaging a relatively affordable $750,000 in Novato in November 2007), crime rates, schools, unemployment rates, commute times, shopping, and entertainment.

Indeed, with lots of newer homes at prices far lower than the home prices in towns located just 10 miles south (e.g., 10 miles closer to San Francisco), Novato has long represented a major value. Recent years have brought many former residents of Southern Marin to Novato as retirees downsize and transfer their tax base under Proposition 60 and young families looking for more homes that can accommodate growing numbers. Novato also has abundant horse properties, waterfront living with access to the Bay, and a robust luxury and ultra-luxury housing market (something for everybody).

Novato’s schools are also top-notch. It is home to the highest scoring school in Marin County–Rancho Elementary. The offices at Hamilton Field include numerous businesses and is the future home to a Disney production venture. Downtown Novato (Grant Avenue) has evolved into a robust shopping location with something for everybody, including some very good dining options. Below are some facts as noted in the Marin IJ online.

NOVATO AT A GLANCE:

• Population: 51,518
• Size: 28 square miles, including 3,600 acres of open space
• Median home cost for 2006: $816,000
• Median annual household income: $75,445
• School district: Serves more than 7,600 students, kindergarten through high school with nine elementary, three middle and three high schools. College of Marin’s Indian Valley campus serves some 1,000 students.
• Shopping: Vintage Oaks shopping center includes more than 50 stores; downtown Novato includes numerous small specialty stores and boutiques received more than a $10.7 million face lift in 2003 to upgrade Grant Avenue.
• Incorporated: 1960 as Marin’s northernmost city.

Other key facts:

• The Buck Institute for Age Research, one of the world’s foremost nonprofit, independent biomedical research firms, is located in Novato
• The Chosen Family hippie commune lived in the old Burdell mansion at Olompali State Historical Park in Novato until it burned down in 1969. Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead played there.
• Olompali State Historical Park is named for a key Miwok settlement, Olemaloke, that dates back to 1300. The Bear Flag Rebellion, which led to California’s statehood, was fought at Olompali in 1846.
• Mount Burdell at 1,558-foot elevation, is the highest peak in Novato and overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay.
• Novato claims its share of rock-star talent, including Metallica’s James Hetfield, Journey’s Jonathan Cain and Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers.

Novato “Distinguished Schools” 2008

Novato’s Lu Sutton Elementary and Rancho Elementary, Ross School in Ross, and Bayside Elementary in Sausalito were selected as 2008 California “distinguished schools” by the state Department of Education. The award recognizes test scores and improvements. Marin schools account for 77 distinguished school awards over the past 12 years. Rancho, Ross, and Bayside received the award in 1989 (Ross also was recognized in 1993). This is the first distinguished school award for Novato’s Lu Sutton Elementary.

Click HERE for a breakdown of Marin County Schools’ API test scores, as reported by the California Department of Education.

Novato Bakery Featured in Better Homes & Gardens

Our own FlourChylde Bakery (located on Grant Avenue) was featured in Better Homes and Gardens for its sublime creation of almond flour tortes (the picture of the dessert made the front cover). The article focused on Marin County farmers’ markets (of course, Novato’s farmers’ market is a Marin County “Best Of”) and the tortes were identified as a lovely dessert. 

You can find FlourChylde Bakery at 850 Grant Avenue, Novato (415) 893-7700.

They are open Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm (8:00 pm during farmers’ markets), Saturdays from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. pm

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