Developers (L-R) Mo Mashoon and Ben Zarrin are breathing new life into commercial real estate projects in Orinda. Both men, along with their families, live in Orinda and have not only a business investment in the City, but also a personal one.
Ben Zarrin’s office is spacious and airy, quiet and ambient with lots of natural light. On his desk, a large computer monitor is surrounded by stacks of paper and rolled-up blueprints. It is here that Zarrin, a real estate developer and broker, is busy working on a prime retail property project for Orinda.
This building, now under construction on the former Bank of America site, will be home to three restaurants by the fourth quarter of 2025 – if all goes according to plan.
Across town, Mo Mashoon operates at ease in his luxuriously appointed office, featuring a tasteful blend of marble, glass, and rich red, blue and pink Persian rugs. Adorning one wall are various awards from Bay Area towns for historic preservation and commercial restoration efforts.
One of those honors is the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Orinda for his redevelopment of 22 Bryant Way, location of the semi-eponymous gas station Mash, and 37 Moraga Way. Mashoon’s firm also refurbished 51 Moraga Way, which was formerly occupied by Compass Real Estate. According to Mashoon, it will house a new bank branch in the latter half of 2025.
Together, Zarrin and Mashoon represent a dynamic, entrepreneurial class of real estate developers who wish to liven up commerce in the town of Orinda. They stand in contrast to other local landlords who have done little to no upkeep of their properties. Such structures seem to be stuck in time with an old, tired look.
Resident Gary Kurtzman commented that in his 16 years in Orinda he has noticed virtually no changes to the stores on the south side of Moraga Way. He rarely steps foot into any of those shops or restaurants. “Not inviting” is his blunt assessment of the retail appeal of that building row.
Rob Guthrie, another resident, used the term “backwater” to describe some commercial parts of Orinda Village.
A long-time commercial real estate broker and Orinda resident, with deep knowledge of the market stretching back decades, says the issue is that certain owners of properties in the downtown and village sections have no particular incentive to invest in their buildings here.
There are over 30 distinct commercial property owners in Orinda, many of whom simply inherited their buildings. The crux of the issue is that these current landlords do not have ties to Orinda and therefore possess no vested interest in the welfare of the town. They will do just enough to hang on to their tenants to collect rent, the argument goes, but nothing more.
But Zarrin is an Orinda resident. He is raising a family here, with one child each in elementary, middle and high school.
His development in the Village is designed to provide “a warm environment,” a family-friendly space that is safe and secure.
“I want to build a place where folks can come together to nurture community bonds,” said Zarrin.
With indoor and outdoor dining areas and an event space on the second floor, his completed project will provide ample opportunity for local residents to form new ties and strengthen existing ones.
Mashoon also lives in Orinda. His son Ali, part of the family business, is raising his own young family here. Mashoon has built his business holdings across Northern California for over 50 years and he’s not about to slow down.
“Retired is not a word in my dictionary,” he said. “I always have to have something to do.”
He is currently eyeing certain opportunities in Orinda in his ongoing quest to revitalize parts of the town. With a softened tone, Mashoon said, “I care about Orinda.”
Both gentlemen exude warmth, sincerity, friendliness – the very qualities core to the character of Orindans. With such committed individuals who want to make our town a better place, we all should feel fortunate.