Developer’s bold risk, a successful collaboration in Tiburon, CA: Dauntless Vision of a Marin County Real Estate Developer by Richard Hunt, Architect – San Francisco, CA

A few days ago, I received an unexpected call from David Papera. It had been quite some time since we last spoke, and the conversation quickly moved beyond the reason for his call – some preliminary questions about a new development he’s exploring. Before long, we were reminiscing about one of the most ambitious and defining projects of our professional relationship: the Paradise Cay development in Tiburon, California.

As an architect, I’ve worked with many developers. But David Papera stands apart – not simply because of his energy and ambition, but because of his tenacity and sheer will. When David first approached me with his idea to develop 13 custom homes on infill lots in Paradise Cay, I was, candidly, skeptical. The lots were in a quiet, established community, but they weren’t considered “prime” by the standards of the time. The market had consistently overlooked the area, and I, like many in the real estate and design community, questioned the absorption rate and whether buyers would truly come. Obviously, David saw something others didn’t. He believed that the right architectural product – elegant, thoughtfully detailed, and exceptionally constructed – would draw buyers willing to pay for excellence in a location just waiting for rediscovery. With his guidance and detailed input, I was the Lead Architect on a series of luxury homes unlike anything previously built in the area.

Looking back, it still feels like an enormous risk considering the number of homes, necessary absorption rates, and committing to extraordinarily high construction standards and finish levels. I recall vividly the challenges we faced – coordinating trades, managing shifting budgets, and adjusting to unforeseen complications across multiple builds. The financial burden on David was intense. He was not part of a large institutional firm. He was a solo operator shouldering the entire load: financing construction across 13 properties, managing logistics, fielding skepticism, and working tirelessly to maintain the momentum of the project. The pressure was immense, both personally and professionally.

As the project progressed, many of the early doubters – including myself – began to understand the clarity of his vision. Lydia Sarkissian and Bill Bullock of Sotheby’s International Realty recognized that vision from the start, and together they formed a sales team that proved the market was there, and more than ready. The homes often sold before they were even completed. The absorption rates far exceeded expectations.

In the end, David was right. He didn’t just succeed – but changed the perception of Paradise Cay for the better. Property values increased. Many homeowners remodeled their existing homes, while others sold to home remodelers who now had validation that Paradise Cay, Tiburon indeed had strong value. In the sense a new benchmark was created in Marin County real estate. The risk paid off. Today, one of the homes we created together is on the market for nearly $4 million – a testament to the lasting value of his bold strategy.

Looking back, Paradise Cay remains one of the most inspiring and professionally fulfilling projects of my career. What made it work wasn’t just good design or smart sales. It was David Papera’s courage to push forward under pressure, his belief in quality, and his willingness to carry the financial and emotional weight of a vision he knew would resonate eventually with everyone else.

In retrospect, it’s clear: David wasn’t just developing homes he was developing value, neighborhood identity, and legacy.

– Richard Hunt, AIA

Architect | San Francisco, California