A “Behind the Scenes” Look at Orinda’s Upcoming CreekHaus Food and Community Space

ORINDA, CALIFORNIA — Transforming an old downtown bank into a coffee shop, beer garden, restaurant, learning center, office and community gathering place was never going to be a simple construction project.

Now, the team behind CreekHaus is offering a closer look at the work — and the many partnerships — required to bring the ambitious Orinda development to life.

CreekHaus recently released updated project renderings, launched a redesigned website and shared new details about the people working behind the scenes at 31 Orinda Way. The latest update also acknowledges something many residents watching the construction have probably noticed: the anticipated opening timeline has, let’s say, evolved.

“Every first comes with new paths to navigate,” CreekHaus founder Ben Zarrin said in a statement.

Zarrin described the development as the first destination of its kind in Orinda, requiring coordination among contractors, consultants, engineers, utility providers, inspectors and city staff.

“Every challenge, every milestone, and every thoughtful decision has made the project stronger and more resilient,” Zarrin said. “We’re excited to continue sharing that journey with the community.”

More Than One Restaurant

CreekHaus is taking shape at the former Bank of America property across from Orinda Community Park. The project is being developed by Paymun, the Orinda-based real estate and design-build company founded by Zarrin.

Although CreekHaus has occasionally been described as a food hall (including by us!), the finished project is intended to function more like a small collection of connected experiences, the creators insist.

The first opening phase is expected to include an Equator Coffees cafe, Launchpad Learning, Paymun’s new headquarters and the CreekHaus Beer Garden, where PizzaHacker will handle the food program.

An elevated bistro and cocktail lounge are expected to follow in a later phase.

That combination is designed to keep the property active throughout the day. CreekHaus envisions residents arriving for coffee in the morning, students visiting Launchpad Learning in the afternoon and neighbors gathering for pizza, locally curated drinks, music and events in the evening.

Why This Build Has Been So Complicated

CreekHaus is not a conventional restaurant tenant moving into a finished storefront.

The project involves substantially rebuilding and expanding a downtown property while creating several distinct businesses and public-facing spaces within one development.

Plans approved and later revised by the city expanded the former 4,712-square-foot bank into a roughly 9,400-square-foot structure, with additional space for storage and mechanical access. The work has included new upper levels, facade changes, exterior stairs, restaurant infrastructure and creek-facing outdoor areas.

That helps explain why the site has remained under construction longer than some early announcements suggested.

The latest CreekHaus update does not provide a firm opening date. Instead, the company says the timeline has changed as the team works through the requirements of building a complex, multi-use destination.

“The commitment has not changed: to thoughtfully create a place worthy of the community, built not just for opening day, but for all the days that follow,” CreekHaus said.

Also, we’ve stopped by and seen the actual construction underway, as you can see in our photos. So although the timeline has changed, the development is very much a real thing.

The Creek Is Part of the Experience

One of the project’s most distinctive features meanders by behind the building.

The property backs up to San Pablo Creek, and the design incorporates outdoor gathering areas intended to make the creekside setting part of the experience, Creekhaus says.

That’s a new thing for Orinda. The creek passes directly through the downtown area but is frequently hidden behind commercial buildings and parking areas.

CreekHaus has promoted the project as “Orinda’s New Backyard,” emphasizing the nature connection and outdoor dining.

For now, the new renderings and website offer another preview of what the former bank could become — and a reminder of just how much coordination is happening behind the construction fencing.

We’ll keep following this story, and CreekHaus’ team has been quite proactive about sharing updates. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can send them to you whenever we learn more.