What’s going on at the site of the former Bank of America?
Inquiring Orinda minds want to know.
Answer – the development of an ambitious mixed-use concept to feature offices, food and beverage outlets and special event spaces.
The development, to be named CreekHaus, is the brainchild of Benhadour (Ben) Zarrin, an Orinda resident locally known for building about a dozen high-end homes, including his own, in the Wilder development on the southeast side of Orinda.
In addition to being the developer of CreekHaus, Zarrin is the principal of a number of entities under the Paymun moniker and has largely been an upscale custom home developer for about 15 years in the East Bay.
He has also participated in some commercial developments. This is his first retail project.
“You have to be a visionary,” Zarrin said.
Zarrin initially purchased the former Bank of America branch property, in the northside village section of town, in 2022 for $2.8 million with former partner and current Wilder neighbor Mo Mashhoon, CEO of Orinda-based Mash Petroleum Inc., which owns and operates the Mash gasoline station next to Casa Orinda.
Mashhoon, who owns about 18 gasoline stations and a vast real estate portfolio, had, with Zarrin, outbid J.P. Morgan Chase, among other deep-pocketed suitors, to acquire the property, which is controlled by Orinda Way LLC, an affiliate of Paymun LLC.
Zarrin has a community vision for CreekHaus, which is aptly named because the rear of the project will feature decks, patios and green space facing the creek that runs behind it and buffers the property from the bustle of Camino Pablo.
Orindans, who have been pining for more dining and drinking options in town, should be happy to learn that Zarrin has plans for three such establishments, a bistro restaurant with a cocktail bar and lounge, a tap room and beer garden and what he describes as an “artisanal” coffee shop.
All of the establishments will mainly reside on the first floor with separate entrances, replete with dining space in front and back.
Zarrin said leases have been signed with all of the respective operators, but is not ready to make an official announcement as to who they are just yet.
The target for opening at least part of the project is set for spring of next year, he said.
The centerpiece is the bistro and Zarrin said that an established restaurant operator would lead the effort.
The brew pub is being billed as a beer garden because of its ample outdoor space. It will feature rotating taps of craft beer from local brewers and pizza baked on premise prepared by a San Francisco-based pizzeria.
The beer garden will also feature “curated” cocktails, live music and “seasonal celebrations.”
The other purveyor will be an “artisanal” coffee shop. Zarrin said that it was an established operation with multiple outlets. In addition to seating in the front of the building that faces the former bank’s parking lot, each operator will have shared deck space in back on the creek side with an additional lower ground level of shared green space and patio.
Zarrin’s idea is to create a communal gathering place that will attract adults and families of all ages.
“We think that we are building something special for Orinda,” said Paymun Director of Operations, Alex Soloway.
Indeed, Zarrin and his Paymun team have an intentional vision for this project beyond development and construction that is aimed at participating in the community. In fact, Zarrin’s Paymun team, which in addition to real estate, includes its own construction firm and design operations, will occupy the office space on the second floor.
His companies currently lease office space at the nearby Vintage Office Building down the street at 25 Orinda Way. Much of the second floor will also include event space geared toward corporate gatherings, birthday parties, wedding celebrations and private dinners. The third floor will house building infrastructure and provide additional office space.
Zarrin, 49, who was a teenager when he moved with his family from Iran to the United States in 1992, started as a real estate agent, before becoming a licensed real estate broker and eventually a luxury home developer.
He believes his integrated approach to architecture, design and construction in high-end residential development has prepared his team to tackle the grand task of building CreekHaus.
“Some people think I’m a little out of my mind investing this much in Orinda,” Zarrin said. “[But] we hope all of our expertise comes together for our vision for the community.”
