Project Data:

Firm Name:              Bickel Group Architecture

Completion Date:     3/15/2021

Square Footage:      64900

Building Use:           Retail, Restaurant, Wellness, and Creative Office with Community Space

Location:                 Paseo Adelanto & River Street, San Juan Capistrano

Project Description:

San Juan Capistrano is a city that respects history and community, two concepts that have heavily influence on River Street Marketplace. Located on a flood plain within the historic Los Rios District on land currently used by the Ito Nursery, the goal is to create a desirable combination of food, retail, wellness, and office uses fully integrated with public spaces that will draw both locals and visitors alike to this unique location in the heart of San Juan Capistrano and create a gathering place that artfully blends the past and present. By being uniquely located directly abutting historical structures, some of whom are still used as residences, there is an increased need for sensitivity to create a vibrant commercial project for the City while respecting the surrounding fabric of the City and the project’s neighbors. As such, multiple meetings were held with local stakeholders frequently and the design evolved to reflect their concerns – including incorporating more gable roofs in lieu of parapets to preserve sight lines and visibility concerns, and ensuring that trash enclosures are fully integrated into each building’s footprint and design. As the history of River Street is inextricably linked to that of San Juan Capistrano, the new River Street Marketplace will also celebrate its pride of place. Where the Juaneño Mission Indians once used the River Street footpath to carry water from Trabuco Creek to their homes, this path currently has been reduced to an asphalt alley. As part of this project, visitors will enjoy a restored, decomposed granite pedestrian-only thoroughfare to the entrance of the River Street project as well as the entrance to Zoomars Petting Zoo from Los Rios Street. Paying homage to the City’s agricultural roots, River Street Marketplace’s olive grove will greet guests as they arrive in the gravel parking area. Gravel was chosen specifically to create an auditory experience for visitors, reminiscent of the sound of gravel under wagon wheels, while simultaneously helping the project meet storm water management requirements. Nearby bike racks and hitching posts suggest other ways to get to - and enjoy – the project. Designed around a grassy common with varied seating options, communal tables for outdoor dining, amenities such as a bocce ball and a horseshoe court, a vegetable garden for farm-to-table inspired dining, and a California native landscape palette, River Street Marketplace’s pleasing agrarian architecture will possess a sense of history and display a cultural and architectural cohesiveness with its surroundings. The design will encompass approximately sixty thousand square feet of varied and unique, true-to-place offerings within an idyllic environment providing the San Juan Capistrano community and its visitors the perfect place to enjoy a fun family outing, a date night, an alfresco business meeting or a day trip, with varied dining options, a unique retail offering, fitness and wellness choices, and limited creative office space. Anchoring the project will be a food and merchant hall curated with a variety of offerings that reflect the diversity and history of the San Juan Capistrano community. Housed in a striking metal barn that echoes the down-to-earth agrarian history of San Juan Capistrano, guests will savor a myriad of culinary and other delights. In addition to its retail, dining, wellness, and office offerings, River Street hopes to host a schedule of events and activities that foster community involvement and encourage guests to develop a deeper connection with this special place. In essence, River Street will quickly become an important part of the San Juan Capistrano community, offering a unique, welcoming destination in keeping with the spirit of this beloved City.

C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment

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