WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – Walnut Creek’s downtown is set to gain a major new attraction: The Foundry, a roughly 24,000-square-foot European‑style food hall approved for construction at 1250 Locust Street.
City planners describe a two‑story main building (possibly with a rooftop bar as essentially a third story–it’s unclear whether this is included in the two proposed stories or not) flanked by two smaller “wing” pavilions and centered on a spacious open-air courtyard.
Inspired by classic European market halls, the project promises a diverse mix of international cuisines, fresh market vendors and artisanal goods.
Once built, it will fill a long-vacant lot across from the Century Theater and transform it into a vibrant new culinary and social hub.
We did a bunch of research into the history of this development and plans for what it will include. We also stopped by the future site multiple times to see where this new building will be.
Update: We also spoke directly to Brian Hirahara, the man behind the project. He confirmed that–despite delays and setbacks–he remains committed to getting the Foundry built! Read that full story here.
Developer and Ownership
The Foundry is being developed by BH Development, a Walnut Creek firm led by local developer Brian Hirahara.
Hirahara has already shaped much of downtown’s dining scene – his projects include Telefèric Barcelona (Spanish tapas), Slice House pizzeria, the Va de Vi wine bar, and the Rooftop Restaurant & Bar (which sits just across the street from the new site).
Under a long‑term agreement with the city’s redevelopment agency, BH Development acquired the 1250 Locust parcel for this project. (City records show BH and the city have amended their development deal for this site repeatedly since the late 2000s.) Hirahara says The Foundry is privately financed; the company will oversee construction and tenant leasing once all approvals are in hand.
Design, Layout and Architecture
The Foundry’s design centers on a large open-air courtyard with seating, water features and a performance stage. The main structure (“Building A”) is about 24,472 sq ft and will house most of the vendors across two stories.
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Here’s a video we created with Google’s Veo 3 based on one of the renderings, showing how the outdoor plaza will look.
Flanking this hall are two smaller annexes – a 320-sq-ft food-service pavilion and a 2,046-sq-ft support/trash building.
A 444-sq-ft children’s play/theater area is also included inside the courtyard. In total, roughly 4,383 sq ft of the site is devoted to an outdoor dining patio, complete with a koi pond and event stage.
The architecture (by Mark Davis Design with Johnson Lyman) blends industrial materials (exposed brick, timber and metal) with the feel of a European plaza. Renderings show large communal tables, string lights and folding glass walls that blur indoor and outdoor spaces.
Timeline and Construction Status
Although the plans are now approved, The Foundry’s timeline remains tentative. The project was originally slated to break ground in 2019, but it faced multiple delays (ranging from the city’s redevelopment agency dissolution to the pandemic).
As of 2025, no construction work has begun. Walnut Creek’s planning portal lists the project’s status as “Approved” – meaning final design review is done, but building permits, utility work and tenant lease agreements still need to be completed.
Hirahara confirmed to us that tariffs, inflation and higher costs have made building the Foundry challenging. His company remains committed to moving ahead, and is working on a redesign now.
Vendors and Tenants
No specific tenants have been publicly confirmed for The Foundry yet. Early documents indicate roughly 23 vendor stalls are planned. Developer Hirahara has said the ground floor will be devoted to non-chain, fast-casual eateries and specialty food purveyors (think bakeries, local food counters, salad bars, etc.), while the upper level will host a full-service rooftop restaurant and bar.
Plan renderings even label two adjoining buildings as “Foundry Brewery” and “Foundry Wine,” suggesting dedicated on-site beer and wine bars, although specifics have changed multiple times during the planning and architecture process.
In short, the hall is expected to blend new dining concepts with some of Hirahara’s existing brands, offering everything from artisanal snacks to sit-down meals.
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The developer emphasizes local operators: “these food halls are very dynamic and community-centric”, he told Eater SF, indicating a focus on local flair rather than national chains. Until leases are signed, however, exact tenant lineups remain under wraps.
Community and Economic Impact
Supporters say The Foundry will inject new energy into downtown Walnut Creek. By activating a former empty lot, the hall should become “a potential hotspot” for both locals and visitors.
It will concentrate dozens of restaurants under one roof, which can lower costs for operators and create dozens of jobs (from chefs and servers to venue staff). Retailers around Broadway Plaza expect the added foot traffic—especially in the evenings and weekends—to boost nearby shops and theaters.
Developer Hirahara highlights the community angle with plans for live music, movie nights and family events in the courtyard. Over time, the project could generate significant sales tax and raise Walnut Creek’s profile as a dining destination, although no formal impact study has been released.
Comparison with Other Food Halls
At roughly 24,000 sq ft, The Foundry will be one of the larger food halls in the Bay Area. It is often likened to Italian-market concepts like Eataly – San Jose’s multi-level Italian food hall chain – though Walnut Creek’s version is a simpler two-story design.
In scale and approach it follows models such as San Francisco’s Ferry Building or Napa’s Oxbow Public Market, where most of the space is given to eateries. Unlike standard mall food courts (which host generic franchise stands), The Foundry is meant to feel like a true market plaza.
Architecturally it has more in common with European halls (for example, with a central piazza and long communal tables) than with a suburban strip mall.
Nationally, it is similar in concept to places like New York’s Chelsea Market or Los Angeles’s Grand Central Market – though those urban examples are larger and older. In short, Walnut Creek’s project is ambitious for a suburban city, aiming to match the vibe of trendy city food halls on a smaller scale.
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Brain Hirahara / BH Development + Johnson Lyman Architects = successful development. Great location in the center of one of Bay Area’s top shopping and dining environments.