Komar Desert Center
LA QUINTA, Calif., May 15, 2008
CB Richard Ellis' San Diego Central office announced that six leases totaling 30,460 square feet with a combined consideration of $9.8 million have been signed for Komar Desert Center in La Quinta. Developed by Komar Desert Properties LLC, the 300,000 square foot Costco-anchored shopping center is scheduled for overall completion in late 2008.
Located on 24 acres at the Jefferson Street and Highway 111 intersection, Komar Desert Center's conceptual site plan was developed by San Diego-based SGPA Architecture and Planning and will offer shop and anchor tenant locations ranging from 1,500 to 20,000 square feet. All of the free-standing pads are leased.
According to Greg Alekian, Project Director for Newport Beach-based Komar Desert Properties LLC, Komar Desert Center will provide needed retail amenities and bolster the local economy.
"The region's population has seen tremendous growth over the past seven years and an ambitious retail project like Komar Desert Center reflects this progress," Alekian said. "The shopping center will create numerous jobs and bring a greater variety of shops and restaurants to desert residents."
Souplantation signed a 20-year ground lease. Rose's Nails and Spa leased 1,552 square feet for five years. Mimi's Café signed a 20-year ground lease. Panda Express leased 1,900 square feet for 10 years. Fantastic Sam's leased 1,303 square feet for five years. Beverages & More signed a 10-year lease for 10,437 square feet and Starbucks' five-year lease is for 1,777 square feet.
The retail and food buildings will be completed and turned over to tenants for interior build-out by mid-May with the Beverages & More shell building ready for tenant build-out by the end of June. Mimi's shell building will be completed by the end of July with tentative opening scheduled for September and Souplantation completion is scheduled for November. Costco opened in November 2006.
According to SGPA Architecture & Planning principal Keith Pittsford, the Komar Desert Center design recalls a golden age of American architecture.
"The center is influenced and inspired by a unique design aesthetic now known as Desert Modernism," Pittsford said. "Notable for its clean lines, wall massing, mixed materials and indoor/outdoor spaces, the design evokes a lifestyle of simple elegance and rustic informality."
The project palate integrates a variety of earth tones, light and dark metals, glass and stone textures. The facades have multiple layers of colors and materials punctuated by recesses that create depth while intersecting horizontal planes create balance. In addition, architectural features such as thematic light fixtures, wall-mounted art super graphics and indigenous landscaping serve as finishing touches on the composition.
The Bergman Companies is the general contractor for Komar Desert Center with civil engineering provided by Fuscoe Engineering. Subcontractors include Tim Rhodes Construction for wood framing, Tidwell Concrete for building concrete, South Coast Concrete for site concrete, Law Steel, Law Hacienda Landscape, Ben's Asphalt, Ortis Tractor Service for grading, National Drywall Inc., Able Plastering, Robert Stinchfield Construction for masonry and stone veneer, Polar Barr for HVAC, JP Electric and General Coatings for painting.
Jon Bilger and Maya Grim of CB Richard Ellis' San Diego Central office have teamed up with Maggie Montez and Dani Alexander of CB Richard Ellis' Indian Wells office to exclusively represent Komar Desert Center 's leasing. Bill Walker of Walker Commercial Realty represented Souplantation. Jason Gordon of Epsteen & Associates represented Starbucks. Heather Myers of CBRE represented BevMo.
For leasing information please contact Jon Bilger at (858) 646-4705 or Maggie Montez at (760) 341-2272.
