North County New Business News: The House That Church Built

There was an article about 10 years ago in the San Diego Union Tribune that stated the Leucadia/south Carlsbad area was going to be the next Santa Barbara. Now there may be some small similarities between Swami's/Rincon and Ponto/Sandspit but that's not the angle the paper was after. Basically it was pointing out the area was primed to become the next California Riviera with all the coastal development plans in the works. 10 years later it doesn't exactly look like Santa Barbara but the development is definitely underway; from the Highway101 development to the Hilton nearing completion across from the Carlsbad Campgrounds, it's going to look a lot different in the next 10 years. A couple changes you may have noticed are the new buildings going up along the highway in Leucadia. Brian Church Architecture has been busy with 2 of the lots and a soon to be 3rd. The Del Mar firm has designed quite a few homes in north county and now they are part of 2 mixed use projects in the works and a 3rd about the break ground.

First up is the unique townhomes going up on Phoebe street (across from the post office). There will be four mixed-use units; 1,800 square foot  3-bedroom/3-bath townhomes above 375 square feet of commercial space and parking.

They have a unique look to them with some interesting angles and a fair amount of wood siding. Definitely a 'funky' Leucadia look with a modern twist. They should be ready for occupancy this spring.

The 2nd building nearing completion is on Jason Street (across the street from the little Sake House). And this one I'm looking forward to. It's another mixed use project with offices upstairs and a restaurant downstairs. This project consists of a new 1,500 square foot panaderia (Mexican bakery) with 2 commercial/retail spaces. Called 'Dos Palmas Panaderia (because of the 2 old growth palm trees on the property), it's an interesting concept for the area because it's combining the popularity of Mexican food along with the appeal of the local cafes. Think of it as a hipper Panera/Corner Cafe. They should also be open this spring.

The third and final project will be breaking ground soon. Known as the Costa Azul Winery, it will be an upscale piece for the area. A couple doors down from Leucadia Roadside Park and next to Karina's Mexican Food, it will be an 'urban' winery, cafe and wine tasting. The existing 1,600 square foot  building will be remodeled (just what is in that current building with reflective windows AND no signage?!) and a new 3,000 square foot wine production facility and storage warehouse. By the time the construction is finished, permits completed, staff hired, wine produced, blah blah blah, I can't imagine it opening before the end of the year. Regardless, it's going to be a cool spot when finished and I'll be saddled up to the bar when it opens. Like every day.
What's interesting with all the construction is that the completion of the Leucadia Highway 101 redevelopment is still a couple years away- as well as the economy being in the tank- so it's good to see people believing in the area by investing in it. So make sure to support the current local businesses as well as the new Brian Church projects and help dig us out of the recession!