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Research / Retail

RESEARCH

Larry L. Hillblom Center at the Buck Institute for Age Research, Novato

Buck Institute for Age Research’s Hillblom Center advances research efforts to new level

8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato

Owner: Buck Institute for Age Research

Project:  Build out of existing 11,700 square feet of unused administrative space for a new wet laboratory

Architects:  Project architect was Paul Harney, AIA, Perkins & Will Architects, San Francisco.  Original Buck Institute building architect was I. M. Pei.

General contractor:  Bob Alten, Alten Construction Inc., Richmond

MEP consultant:  Flack & Kurtz, San Francisco

Structural consultant:  Carl Wilford, P.E., DASSE Design Inc., San Francisco

Mechanical and plumbing: Benjamin Sun, P.E., Flack & Kurtz, San Francisco

Electrical engineer: Robert Nixdorf, P.E, Flack & Kurtz, San Francisco,

Laboratory furnishings: Debbie Silva, ISEC Inc., Fremont

Funding:  Project funds raised through grants from the federal government and private foundations, along with individual contributions

Cost:  $9.3 million – $5 million for construction, $4.3 million for recruitment and scientific equipment



NOVATO – The latest phase of the Buck Institute for Age Research master expansion plan was completed in June 2007 with the opening of the Larry L. Hillblom Center.  The first research program was initiated July 9.

This project added about 11,700 square feet of laboratory workspace for 64 researchers. The project involved a build out of existing unused shell floor space in the Buck’s main building. Buck Institute campus buildings occupy a total of 185,000 square feet and are situated on a small portion of the 417-acre mountaintop site – with a majority of the land conserved as open space.

“This new Larry L. Hillblom Center for Integrative Studies of Aging brings together Buck Institute researchers and medical professionals from eight programs – five existing ones plus three new ones – to study the process of aging,” said Dr. Dale Bredesen, Buck Institute CEO and scientific director. “This center will help us meet our mission of extending the healthy years of life by looking for ways to ensure that our longer lives are healthy lives.  We can achieve this by supporting the collaborative efforts among scientists and by allowing for efficient use of key technologies.”

Buck Institute scientists work in an innovative, interdisciplinary setting to understand the mechanisms of aging and to discover new ways of detecting, preventing and treating age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, stroke and arthritis.  They work to understand three key areas: the process, biology and molecular components of aging; why aging is linked to disease; and what tools or techniques can be developed to predict, make early diagnoses and mitigate the effects of age-related diseases.

The cost of the new lab build out was approximately $9.3 million – $5 million for construction and $4.3 million for recruitment of new scientists, scientific equipment, furnishings and other related expenses. This total was raised through a capital campaign that received several grants and donor contributions, such as a $2 million gift from the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation.

A construction grant of $2.3 million was also awarded from the National Institutes of Health along with $1 million each from the Glenn Medical Foundation, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation and the Mericos Foundation. Gifts from individuals and other foundations collectively provided the remaining $1.4 million.

“This project is an essential element in our efforts to reach our goal of having a total of 21 research programs in place by 2010,”said Ralph O’Rear, vice president of facilities and planning at the Buck Institute. “Once we consolidate groups already on site and add new ones, other existing space will be freed up on campus that we can use for new programs. We expect to add from 80 to 100 more people to our staff over the next 18 months, adding to our current headcount of 150.”

The Buck Institute and the new Hillblom Center have been intelligently designed to make the facility pleasing to the eye and its occupants while also creating an eco-friendly environment.  Renewable post-consumer materials were used in the build out, including recycled steel casework in the labs, cabinetry faced with bamboo and the use of recycled paper and green housekeeping and cleaning products. In addition, walls of glass on the borders of the building provide a flood of natural light and reduce energy costs. The facility is a candidate for Silver LEED certification.

RETAIL

Oxbow Public Market, Napa

At Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, a mixture of fresh produce, dining, wine and shops

610 and 644 First St., Napa

Owner: Oxbow Market LP, a California limited partnership, consisting of 25 private investors and Oxbow Management LLC

Project: The indoor/outdoor Oxbow Public Market featuring artisan food and wine vendors, casual cafes and local organic and sustainable farm produce

Architect: Bauldauf, Catton and Von Eckartsberg, San Francisco

General contractor: Terra Nova Industries, Walnut Creek

Civil engineer: Riechers Spence & Associates, Napa

Structural engineer:  MBA Structural Engineers, Walnut Creek

Funding: A commercial loan from the Napa Community Bank and investor funding

Cost:  $10 million



NAPA – The grand opening of the Oxbow Public Market, in the Oxbow District of Napa, is scheduled for Dec. 15.  Eighty percent of the 35 merchant retail spaces and exterior farm stands already have been leased to tenants that independently own and operate their businesses.

The marketplace, located at 610 and 644 First St. next to Copia, is comprised of a variety of unique food and wine vendors, including casual cafes for in-house and to-go dining, coffee and wine bars, purveyors of organic and sustainably grown regional produce as well as merchants offering ethnically diverse ingredients.

The market features seasonal foods and meats, rotisserie free-range poultry, seafood, artisan cheese, bread and baked goods, flowers and other fine food products. Specialty non-food retailers will offer cutlery, tabletop items, glassware, candles and other goods.

The Oxbow Public Market is the fulfillment of a dream for founder and CEO Steve Carlin, who for 20 years ran the Oakville Grocery, a leading Northern California specialty foods retailer. He later gained additional experience as the project manager for the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace where he was responsible for development and attracting new tenants as well as opening the facility and overseeing initial operations.

“We wanted to create a local gathering place for the enjoyment of all Napa Valley residents as well as the many wine and food enthusiasts who visit this region each year,” Mr. Carlin said. “Our goal is to offer unique local agricultural products in addition to having an ethnic quality to the market.  It is important to get to know local merchants. There is a lot about food we don’t know, but there are a lot of people who do know. This marketplace is an excellent place to talk with those who make or grow a wide range of products.”

Mr. Carlin, COO Bart Rhoades and Development Manager Robert Mann comprise the senior management team of Oxbow Market LP, a California limited partnership formed to establish and operate the Oxbow Public Market. This partnership consists of 25 private investors and Oxbow Management LLC, a company that specializes in master planning, building and managing public market spaces.

The two-building complex covers 40,000 square feet and includes a new open-span public market hall with a modern barn-like appearance. The main building is a glass and brick structure with a cathedral ceiling and clerestory that is covered with a sheet metal roof designed to emulate the agricultural roots of the community. The new Oxbow Public Market was designed by San Francisco architects Baldauf, Catton and Von Eckartsberg, the same firm that designed the ferry building marketplace.

The second structure was formerly occupied by the Valley Tire Store. This completed renovated building has a similar rustic style and will be the home of the Fatted Calf Charcuterie, Taylor’s Automatic Refresher and the Model Bakery.

Other tenants include Folio Enoteca and Winery, Rotisario grilled meats and poultry, the Oxbow Wine Merchant and Wine Bar, the Oxbow Cheese Merchant, Anette’s Chocolate Factory, Pica-Pica Venezuelan foods, Heritage culinary antiques, Three Twins Organic Ice Cream, the Olive Press, Tillerman Tea, Kitchen Library culinary collectibles, Whole Spice, Five Dot Ranch natural beef and Fete – providing provisions for the at-home entertainer – among other vendors.

Parking is plentiful thanks to an agreement with Copia allowing the Oxbow Public Market to use 130 of the wine, food and art center’s 400 parking spaces. The market also has a scenic deck for outdoor dining overlooking the Napa River, the new Oxbow Commons and the Oxbow Preserve.  The market will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

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