Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP) have unveiled new renderings and design detail for the $400 million, multiyear revitalization of Dana Point Harbor. The renderings showcase detailed architecture that has evolved due to community feedback since DPHP last released renderings in 2018. The images illuminate Burnham-Ward Properties’ elevated restaurant, retail, and public spaces, R.D. Olson’s two world-class waterfront hotels, and Bellwether Financial Group’s state-of-the-art Marina. DPHP are passionate about instilling the Harbor’s rich history and reputation as a waterman’s paradise into the revitalization and have incorporated community feedback into the project that will keep the Harbor’s legacy alive for generations to come.

“We are thrilled for this long-awaited upgrade to the Harbor’s 1970’s-era facilities,” said Lisa Bartlett, Orange County Fifth District Supervisor, who has been a driving force behind the revitalization for the past 16 years. “Dana Point Harbor Partners have the experience and expertise to deliver a best-in-class project, which includes all-new amenities for the boating community, Orange County locals, and visiting public.”

Burnham-Ward Properties (BWP) is spearheading the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor’s restaurants, retail stores, and public spaces. BWP will transform the Harbor experience into a world-class dining, shopping, and recreation destination. Highly curated restaurants and chef-driven concepts from across the globe, and dynamic retailers will join existing Harbor favorites to create an elevated destination while maintaining the Harbor’s unique character. 

Key features of the Harbor will include increased public green paseos and seating areas, multiple event spaces for concerts and activities, rooftop bars with expansive views over the breakwater, an artisanal-style food court with boats suspended from the ceiling named “The Boathouse,” and a boardwalk that doubles in size, and increases connectivity from Doheny State Beach to Baby Beach, creating one of the largest walkable Harbors on the west coast. 

“The revitalization will create an incredibly special Harbor experience, featuring the highest quality sustainable design, materials, and four-sided architecture created in a manner that reflects the personality and charm of the community,” said Bryon Ward of Dana Point Harbor Partners and President of Burnham Ward Properties. “We have been very detailed in all aspects of the design process and the buildings will look as though they have always called the Harbor home.”   

The Dana Point Marina Inn will be replaced with two new, world-class hotels, developed and built by R.D. Olson Development, one of the most successful hotel developers in the country. The first will be a 4-star upscale full-service hotel with a water-front experience for visitors. The second will be a 3-star affordable hotel providing more relaxed style accommodations for a casual stay. They will be moved to the waterfront to take advantage of views and increase connectivity with the Harbor. Both hotels will feature a coastal style design with amenities ranging from pools with Harbor views, restaurants and bars, fitness center, ballroom and meeting rooms and direct access to the water for recreation.

The Marina at Dana Point will be reconfigured to better utilize the space and enhance the overall boating experience. State-of-the-art technology will be incorporated into every aspect of the new docks, including increased pump-out stations. Such innovations will eliminate all treated wood, which will increase the longevity of the docks and reduce pollutants in the water. Public docks and gangways will create a seamless transition from water to land for boaters and the public.  Boaters will be able to tie up at the dock to enjoy a meal, live music, or an event within the Harbor. The guest docks will be relocated and host increased boater-centric events. The new guest docks will be able to accommodate vessels of all sizes, making Dana Point a must-visit destination for California boaters and beyond. 

Construction on The Marina at Dana Point commenced in August of this year.  The parking structure will be the first phase of the landside revitalization, and construction will begin early in 2023.

For more information on the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor visit DanaPointHarbor.com/revitalization or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

About Dana Point Harbor Partners: Dana Point Harbor Partners, LLC (DPHP), a collaboration created to operate and redevelop Dana Point Harbor in a P-3 partnership with the County of Orange, is made up of three “best in class” real estate development firms, each specializing in a unique product type. Burnham Ward Properties is responsible for stewarding the harbor’s Commercial Core activities featuring the retail, restaurants, offices and other landside buildings, as well as all parkscape areas. Bellwether Financial Group guides the marina operations including the boat slips, boater facilities, dry boat storage, day-boat parking, guest slips, and launch ramp areas. R.D. Olson Development leads the hotel redevelopment of the harbor and currently operates the Dana Point Marina Inn.

The partnership is developing a master plan that connects the harbor’s landside and waterside to become a singular cohesive waterfront experience. United by a love of the water and dedicated to preserving Dana Point Harbor’s historical significance, the partnership is applying all areas of respective expertise to ensure every element of the harbor will be thoughtfully designed, redeveloped and managed to be reimagined into a world-class destination with historic roots and local charm.

*Rendering Featured Image Courtesy: Dana Point Partners