If you have driven down San Marin Drive lately, you have seen it: the big office buildings that sat empty for years at the old Fireman's Fund campus are gone, and the site is being graded for what will become one of the largest new neighborhoods in Marin County in decades. Here is what is planned at 777 San Marin Drive, where things stand today, and what it could mean for you if you own, buy or sell a home in Novato.
- Location: 773, 775 and 777 San Marin Drive, north Novato
- Site: About 65 acres, with roughly 44 acres planned for homes
- Latest plan filed: 119 single-family homes, 84 townhomes and about 725 apartments (around 930 homes)
- Owner/developer: San Marin Owner LLC, led by Bay West Development and Forum Investment Group
- Status: Demolition and grading under way; construction could start around 2028
From Office Campus to Neighborhood
Fireman's Fund Insurance moved to this campus from San Francisco in 1982. At its peak around 2000, about 2,400 people worked there, making it one of the biggest employers in Marin. After the company moved its remaining staff to Petaluma in 2015, the three buildings sat largely empty for years.
In 2020, a partnership led by Bay West Development bought the property with plans to turn it into housing. In January 2024, the Novato City Council rezoned the campus for residential use and adopted a master plan that sets the rules for what can be built. Novato's state-required housing plan calls for room for 2,090 new homes by 2031, and this site is expected to provide a big share of that.
What's Planned
In March 2026, the developer filed a vesting tentative map with the city, the step that lays out the actual lots and parcels. It shows:
| Home type | Number planned | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family homes | 119 lots | 2 to 3 stories |
| Townhomes | 84 lots | Varies |
| Apartments | About 725 units on 3 parcels | Up to 5 stories |
The city's master plan allows between 1,000 and 1,300 homes on the property, plus accessory dwelling units (ADUs), so the final count could change as each phase moves forward. The plan also includes:
- Shared outdoor spaces and greenbelts throughout the community
- Open space on the parts of the property not used for homes
- A walking connection to the San Marin SMART train station
Where Things Stand and What's Next
- September 2025: Demolition of the office buildings, parking lots and the man-made pond began.
- March 2026: The developer filed the vesting tentative map, which is under city review.
- Fall 2026: Crews are removing concrete and asphalt and preparing the site for grading.
- Around 2028: City staff say home construction could realistically begin if the map and plan checks stay on track.
Each phase still needs design review and building permits before construction, so expect the neighborhood to be built in stages over several years.
What It Means for Novato Homeowners, Buyers and Sellers
If you live in San Marin or north Novato: The empty office park next door is becoming a residential neighborhood with green space and a path to the SMART train. Expect construction activity on San Marin Drive for a while, and more neighbors, shoppers and families in the area once homes are finished.
If you are thinking of buying: New single-family homes, townhomes and apartments near the SMART train will add choices in a part of Marin where new construction is rare. Since construction is still a couple of years out, today's resale market is still where most buyers will find their home in the near term.
If you are thinking of selling: Established San Marin homes have something new construction cannot match: mature trees, larger lots, finished neighborhoods and no construction next door. When new homes do arrive, pricing your home well and presenting it beautifully will matter more than ever. We are happy to walk you through what your home could sell for today.
Have Questions About Novato?
We are following this project closely and will share updates as it moves forward. Whether you want to know what your home is worth, how this project might affect your street, or where to find the right home in Novato, we are here to help.
Contact Tim and Liz What's My Home Worth? Novato Homes for Sale
Liz Aguero · 650.450.7668 · DRE #01829079
Tim Mattos · 415.269.6648 · DRE #02313173
Aguero Mattos Group · eXp Realty
Sources: City of Novato, 773, 775 & 777 San Marin Drive Residential Redevelopment; City of Novato, 777 San Marin Drive Vesting Tentative Map; North Bay Business Journal; The Press Democrat; Novato Planning Commission update via Citizen Portal. Plans, home counts and timelines are subject to change as the project moves through city review. Photo: Mount Burdell by Mx. Granger, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.