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San Clemente, Calif. (March 21, 2008) -- As reported by SunCal, A major construction milestone for SunCal Companies’ Marblehead Coastal master-planned community in San Clemente was reached Tuesday, March 18, with the round-the-clock pouring of 2,400 cubic yards of concrete for a 400-foot-long bridge that spans a canyon within the development.
The massive undertaking was the single-largest concrete pour for any portion of the 248-acre community on bluff-tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Two shifts of 60 construction workers each coordinated their non-stop flurry of activity for nearly 20 hours, steadily filling the Avenida Vista Hermosa bridge’s stems and soffits with concrete.
The pour started under floodlights at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and continued non-stop until 12 midnight. It involved 2,400 cubic yards of concrete that were transported via 300 truckloads, with up to 20 trucks per hour onsite.
“Conducting 20 straight hours of pouring concrete into the maze of forms at the bridge required a tremendous amount of planning, preparation and coordination,” said David Placek, vice president of project management, SunCal Companies. “This represents a significant accomplishment for Marblehead Coastal and demonstrates our commitment to moving forward and completing this development.”
When the bridge is finished, it will link a major thoroughfare that will serve both the residential neighborhoods and the commercial center within the community.
Phase I of the development’s custom homesites is currently being offered, and the sales gallery is open by appointment to prospective buyers. The prices for the Phase I custom homesites range from $1.65 million to $3.4 million. Please contact Sam Smith of Beach Cities Luxry Homes at (949) 291-0424 for free literature on Marblehead coastal properties.
Marblehead Coastal, in the historic beach town of San Clemente, is the last, most precious oceanfront community along this stretch of classic Southern California coastline. Marblehead Coastal is created as a community consistent with the history and architecture of the area, and one whose natural beauty is enhanced for future generations. Marblehead Coastal is planned to include 69 custom homesites, as well as 244 merchant-built residences and villas.
The massive undertaking was the single-largest concrete pour for any portion of the 248-acre community on bluff-tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Two shifts of 60 construction workers each coordinated their non-stop flurry of activity for nearly 20 hours, steadily filling the Avenida Vista Hermosa bridge’s stems and soffits with concrete.
The pour started under floodlights at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and continued non-stop until 12 midnight. It involved 2,400 cubic yards of concrete that were transported via 300 truckloads, with up to 20 trucks per hour onsite.
“Conducting 20 straight hours of pouring concrete into the maze of forms at the bridge required a tremendous amount of planning, preparation and coordination,” said David Placek, vice president of project management, SunCal Companies. “This represents a significant accomplishment for Marblehead Coastal and demonstrates our commitment to moving forward and completing this development.”
When the bridge is finished, it will link a major thoroughfare that will serve both the residential neighborhoods and the commercial center within the community.
Phase I of the development’s custom homesites is currently being offered, and the sales gallery is open by appointment to prospective buyers. The prices for the Phase I custom homesites range from $1.65 million to $3.4 million. Please contact Sam Smith of Beach Cities Luxry Homes at (949) 291-0424 for free literature on Marblehead coastal properties.
Marblehead Coastal, in the historic beach town of San Clemente, is the last, most precious oceanfront community along this stretch of classic Southern California coastline. Marblehead Coastal is created as a community consistent with the history and architecture of the area, and one whose natural beauty is enhanced for future generations. Marblehead Coastal is planned to include 69 custom homesites, as well as 244 merchant-built residences and villas.
Why is everything happening very quickly now? Early reports from the OC Register that Steve Craig went to court earlier this year with a lawsuit against SunCal to ensure delivery of promised Marblehead Coastal site improvements, he exuded optimism about his plan to bring a 640,000-square-foot commercial center to San Clemente.
Craig said he got a temporary restraining order in January in the Superior Court to prevent SunCal, master developer of the 248-acre Marblehead Coastal Community in San Clemente, from withdrawing funds from an escrow account that was set up to ensure that promised infrastructures will be built for the 51-acre site that Craig purchased nearly two years ago.
SunCal is caught in a housing slump that has made money tight; a company spokeswoman confirmed that fact Jan. 8 to the City Council. Craig said Wednesday that the contractor who was building an Avenida Vista Hermosa bridge for SunCal at Marblehead Coastal pulled off the job.
A SunCal spokesman, Joe Aguirre, said in a prepared statement, "The contractor for the Vista Hermosa bridge has paused its work for the time being due to a contractual issue, and we cannot discuss the details at this time. We intend to complete the bridge, but we're evaluating when the work will resume."
Aguirre continued, "We do not know why Mr. Craig would bring an action against us as we have fully complied with all of our contractual obligations to him. When and if we are served with a lawsuit, we will turn it over to our legal counsel and respond appropriately."
Marblehead Coastal – a planned community approved for 308 homes – also includes trails, community parks and Craig's shopping center, which includes a hotel, conference center, cinema and restaurants.
Craig said he took the legal action Wednesday as a precaution but is confident all the work will be completed.
"The good news," he said, "is that the project is fully bonded."
Craig said he is about to begin building his own bridge to connect Avenida Vista Hermosa across a canyon to the shopping center site. A year ago there was talk of building SunCal's bridge and his bridge under one contract. "Thankfully we chose not to do that," Craig said. "We are moving ahead with our project. We're delighted to have the opportunity to get under way."
Some updates provided by Craig:
Next step:Construction of a parking structure could begin in May. It, like the shopping center bridge, is about a one-year effort.
Effect of the economic downturn:"Our business hasn't been better. The outlet industry traditionally has always had its best years during down times. In 91-92-93-94, our last major downturn in the U.S. was clearly our best years in Cabazon and some of the other projects we had. In November and December … we had our two best months in the history of our company at a time when many retailers were saying it was a very soft holiday season. For example, the Citadel in Los Angeles, their sales were up 21 percent. That was true in Castle Rock, Colo. It was true in Loveland, Colo., and a couple of our other properties."
Construction outlook:With the economy slowing, contractors will be hungrier for projects like the San Clemente center, meaning more competitive bids. Craig is seeing this for a project he is doing in Phoenix.
When the first stores might open:"I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but the last quarter of '09 looks like our target date at this point." Weather could affect that.
Prospective tenants:"I believe 100 percent of the shop space has been spoken for, and we're looking at maybe expanding the size of the phase 1 building slightly, putting more stores along the front, facing Avenida Vista Hermosa.
Square footage of phase 1:"With the theater, it was about 325,000 feet. We could probably add another 15-20,000 feet to it.
Signed leases?"My guess at this point is at this point we've signed almost 100,000 square feet of leases. We have another 50-75,000 in lease documentation. and then and then … (a third group of) people are negotiating terms. We've had tremendous demand. It's one of the most sought-after projects in our industry right now. I think that we'll open fully leased."
The theater:It's already designed, by the same firm that did The Grove at Farmer's Market in Los Angeles' La Brea area. Mario Savopoulos, a San Clemente resident, did the design. "I'm very pleased with it. He took a lot of pride in doing that design work because it'll be his home theater."
Cinema operator:"We have 3 operators that we're talking to. The fourth option is that we may own the theater and hire one of them to operate it. Ten screens. There's also some private screening rooms …"
A big bookstore?"At this point I'm hesitant to say yes. The book industry is in tough shape. They're willing to come, but they want a significant subsidy. In other words, they can't pay any rent, basically. And this is not a cheap building. It's one of the most expensive retail buildings that would be built. Unfortunately, it requires some real rent."
Restaurants: "We are continually showing restaurants the space. There's been no one that has come down there that didn't love it. It doesn't mean everyone wants to be there, but we've had a lot of interest in it. We have leases out to California Pizza Kitchen. We have a lease out to Ruby's Diner, and we have a lease going out to Opah. We're talking to a number of people … but the nice thing about the restaurant buildings (is) these are outside the center itself. So we will build them as we lease them. We'll build them as a custom building when they're signed."
The number of restaurant spaces:About 13. One of the buildings that was slated for a restaurant is drawing interest as a spa. "A number of spa operators have come to us and said this would be wonderful … the canyon location … it'd have kind of a very serene, peaceful approach."
Any impact if Marblehead homes are stalled:"Our marketplace is much broader than that. We've felt that San Clemente itself would represent maybe 10-15 percent of our business. It's important for us to pick up Mission Viejo and Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. We see a big business from Laguna Beach …(people who) instead of going up to up to Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, maybe having a little bit nicer drive down the coast."
Projected economic impact on the town:More than $3 million a year in sales and hotel taxes. "Right now the vast majority of San Clemente's potential sales tax dollars go to other cities. They get very few dollars that come in here. The project will be a big benefit, and as we get into tougher times I think it's going to be even more important to the community, to have the opportunity to have that revenue to do the things they need to do."
Is the center named yet?"I think what's most challenging about the name is that this is not just an outlet center. There's entertainment. There are a wide variety of restaurants. There may be a spa. So just to call it an outlet center, I don't really think it's probably a fair name … we're also going to have tenants that aren't outlet tenants … regular price tenants. So we're reluctant just to say it's San Clemente Outlets, come here."
Legal dispute over freeway-facing signs:"We're interested in trying to sit down and work something out. It takes two to tango. We're willing to sit down and talk and see if there's a common ground that can be reached and maybe save them some money and save us some money and time too."
Response from Richard Boyer, whose local group San Clemente Citizens for Integrity in Development sued to contest the city's approval of a sign-exception permit:"We are pleased to work with the city if they want to make a good-faith effort to work toward a settlement. That's been our position all along, if we can reach a settlement without going to court, that's preferable to a trial."
SUNCAL'S RESPONSE
In a prepared statement, SunCal spokesman Joe Aguirre responded to questions about the status of the SunCal and Craig projects.
Q. What is the situation involving Craig Realty?
A. We do not know why Mr. Craig would bring an action against us as we have fully complied with all of our contractual obligations to him. When and if we are served with a lawsuit, we will turn it over to our legal counsel and respond appropriately.
Q. What is happening with the SunCal project?
A. Construction at Marblehead Coastal remains underway, although work is being completed in phases at an adjusted pace and progress is also dependent on the weather. SunCal remains committed to, and excited by, this very special property. Marblehead Coastal is the last great oceanfront community on this classic stretch of the California coast, and we look forward to continuing to work with the city as we make this master-planned community a reality.
We previously had a very aggressive, accelerated construction schedule, but with the cyclical conditions of the housing market, it has become necessary to adjust our timelines. However, our original vision of Marblehead Coastal has not changed, and we are committed to completing this development as planned and approved.
Q. What is happening with the Vista Hermosa bridge?
A. The contractor for the Vista Hermosa bridge has paused its work for the time being due to a contractual issue, and we cannot discuss the details at this time. We intend to complete the bridge, but we're evaluating when the work will resume.
Q. What is happening with the improvements pledged to the commercial site?
A. The commercial portion of Marblehead Coastal is an integral part of this master-planned community, and we remain committed to completing the preparatory work for the site.
Craig said he got a temporary restraining order in January in the Superior Court to prevent SunCal, master developer of the 248-acre Marblehead Coastal Community in San Clemente, from withdrawing funds from an escrow account that was set up to ensure that promised infrastructures will be built for the 51-acre site that Craig purchased nearly two years ago.
SunCal is caught in a housing slump that has made money tight; a company spokeswoman confirmed that fact Jan. 8 to the City Council. Craig said Wednesday that the contractor who was building an Avenida Vista Hermosa bridge for SunCal at Marblehead Coastal pulled off the job.
A SunCal spokesman, Joe Aguirre, said in a prepared statement, "The contractor for the Vista Hermosa bridge has paused its work for the time being due to a contractual issue, and we cannot discuss the details at this time. We intend to complete the bridge, but we're evaluating when the work will resume."
Aguirre continued, "We do not know why Mr. Craig would bring an action against us as we have fully complied with all of our contractual obligations to him. When and if we are served with a lawsuit, we will turn it over to our legal counsel and respond appropriately."
Marblehead Coastal – a planned community approved for 308 homes – also includes trails, community parks and Craig's shopping center, which includes a hotel, conference center, cinema and restaurants.
Craig said he took the legal action Wednesday as a precaution but is confident all the work will be completed.
"The good news," he said, "is that the project is fully bonded."
Craig said he is about to begin building his own bridge to connect Avenida Vista Hermosa across a canyon to the shopping center site. A year ago there was talk of building SunCal's bridge and his bridge under one contract. "Thankfully we chose not to do that," Craig said. "We are moving ahead with our project. We're delighted to have the opportunity to get under way."
Some updates provided by Craig:
Next step:Construction of a parking structure could begin in May. It, like the shopping center bridge, is about a one-year effort.
Effect of the economic downturn:"Our business hasn't been better. The outlet industry traditionally has always had its best years during down times. In 91-92-93-94, our last major downturn in the U.S. was clearly our best years in Cabazon and some of the other projects we had. In November and December … we had our two best months in the history of our company at a time when many retailers were saying it was a very soft holiday season. For example, the Citadel in Los Angeles, their sales were up 21 percent. That was true in Castle Rock, Colo. It was true in Loveland, Colo., and a couple of our other properties."
Construction outlook:With the economy slowing, contractors will be hungrier for projects like the San Clemente center, meaning more competitive bids. Craig is seeing this for a project he is doing in Phoenix.
When the first stores might open:"I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but the last quarter of '09 looks like our target date at this point." Weather could affect that.
Prospective tenants:"I believe 100 percent of the shop space has been spoken for, and we're looking at maybe expanding the size of the phase 1 building slightly, putting more stores along the front, facing Avenida Vista Hermosa.
Square footage of phase 1:"With the theater, it was about 325,000 feet. We could probably add another 15-20,000 feet to it.
Signed leases?"My guess at this point is at this point we've signed almost 100,000 square feet of leases. We have another 50-75,000 in lease documentation. and then and then … (a third group of) people are negotiating terms. We've had tremendous demand. It's one of the most sought-after projects in our industry right now. I think that we'll open fully leased."
The theater:It's already designed, by the same firm that did The Grove at Farmer's Market in Los Angeles' La Brea area. Mario Savopoulos, a San Clemente resident, did the design. "I'm very pleased with it. He took a lot of pride in doing that design work because it'll be his home theater."
Cinema operator:"We have 3 operators that we're talking to. The fourth option is that we may own the theater and hire one of them to operate it. Ten screens. There's also some private screening rooms …"
A big bookstore?"At this point I'm hesitant to say yes. The book industry is in tough shape. They're willing to come, but they want a significant subsidy. In other words, they can't pay any rent, basically. And this is not a cheap building. It's one of the most expensive retail buildings that would be built. Unfortunately, it requires some real rent."
Restaurants: "We are continually showing restaurants the space. There's been no one that has come down there that didn't love it. It doesn't mean everyone wants to be there, but we've had a lot of interest in it. We have leases out to California Pizza Kitchen. We have a lease out to Ruby's Diner, and we have a lease going out to Opah. We're talking to a number of people … but the nice thing about the restaurant buildings (is) these are outside the center itself. So we will build them as we lease them. We'll build them as a custom building when they're signed."
The number of restaurant spaces:About 13. One of the buildings that was slated for a restaurant is drawing interest as a spa. "A number of spa operators have come to us and said this would be wonderful … the canyon location … it'd have kind of a very serene, peaceful approach."
Any impact if Marblehead homes are stalled:"Our marketplace is much broader than that. We've felt that San Clemente itself would represent maybe 10-15 percent of our business. It's important for us to pick up Mission Viejo and Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano. We see a big business from Laguna Beach …(people who) instead of going up to up to Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, maybe having a little bit nicer drive down the coast."
Projected economic impact on the town:More than $3 million a year in sales and hotel taxes. "Right now the vast majority of San Clemente's potential sales tax dollars go to other cities. They get very few dollars that come in here. The project will be a big benefit, and as we get into tougher times I think it's going to be even more important to the community, to have the opportunity to have that revenue to do the things they need to do."
Is the center named yet?"I think what's most challenging about the name is that this is not just an outlet center. There's entertainment. There are a wide variety of restaurants. There may be a spa. So just to call it an outlet center, I don't really think it's probably a fair name … we're also going to have tenants that aren't outlet tenants … regular price tenants. So we're reluctant just to say it's San Clemente Outlets, come here."
Legal dispute over freeway-facing signs:"We're interested in trying to sit down and work something out. It takes two to tango. We're willing to sit down and talk and see if there's a common ground that can be reached and maybe save them some money and save us some money and time too."
Response from Richard Boyer, whose local group San Clemente Citizens for Integrity in Development sued to contest the city's approval of a sign-exception permit:"We are pleased to work with the city if they want to make a good-faith effort to work toward a settlement. That's been our position all along, if we can reach a settlement without going to court, that's preferable to a trial."
SUNCAL'S RESPONSE
In a prepared statement, SunCal spokesman Joe Aguirre responded to questions about the status of the SunCal and Craig projects.
Q. What is the situation involving Craig Realty?
A. We do not know why Mr. Craig would bring an action against us as we have fully complied with all of our contractual obligations to him. When and if we are served with a lawsuit, we will turn it over to our legal counsel and respond appropriately.
Q. What is happening with the SunCal project?
A. Construction at Marblehead Coastal remains underway, although work is being completed in phases at an adjusted pace and progress is also dependent on the weather. SunCal remains committed to, and excited by, this very special property. Marblehead Coastal is the last great oceanfront community on this classic stretch of the California coast, and we look forward to continuing to work with the city as we make this master-planned community a reality.
We previously had a very aggressive, accelerated construction schedule, but with the cyclical conditions of the housing market, it has become necessary to adjust our timelines. However, our original vision of Marblehead Coastal has not changed, and we are committed to completing this development as planned and approved.
Q. What is happening with the Vista Hermosa bridge?
A. The contractor for the Vista Hermosa bridge has paused its work for the time being due to a contractual issue, and we cannot discuss the details at this time. We intend to complete the bridge, but we're evaluating when the work will resume.
Q. What is happening with the improvements pledged to the commercial site?
A. The commercial portion of Marblehead Coastal is an integral part of this master-planned community, and we remain committed to completing the preparatory work for the site.
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