A Tale of Two Mallard Pointes

Letter to the Editor
January 11, 2022

Dear Editor,

I read, with great interest, The Ark article on December 3 that mentioned the proposed Mallard Pointe development. It made me curious to explore what the developer communicates to our Belvedere elected officials, potential renters, and members of our community. With apologies to Charles Dickens, it was A Tale of Two Mallard Pointes. On the website for Mallard Pointe (mallardpointe2026.com), the developer states: “The current Mallard Pointe homes were constructed in 1951 by the Belvedere Land Company. Originally built as summer residences, the majority of these homes have had limited upgrades over the past 70 years. The homes are now facing obsolescence due to differential settlement, deferred maintenance, antiquated floor plans, nonconformance with current building and fire codes, and the threat of sea level rise.” If true, not a pretty picture! At the same time, the developer is currently listing one of those Mallard Pointe homes—22 Mallard Road—for lease. In the listing advertising materials, the developer states that: “Mallard Pointe is a luxury waterfront community featuring 22 light-filled, 2-bedroom cottages in Belvedere, California. Our lagoon-front residences feature spacious outdoor living, waterfront views, a private dock, and private garage. Many of the residences have been recently renovated with vaulted ceilings, chef’s kitchens, stainless steel appliances, fireplaces, full-size in-home laundry, and hardwood flooring….Mallard Pointe offers an extraordinary, luxury living environment unmatched in the Bay Area.” (apartments.com) If true, and I believe it is, this paints a very different picture! Both descriptions of the existing 22 homes on Mallard Road cannot be correct, yet they are currently being provided by the very same developer. It appears the narrative changes to fit the audience. The proposed development needs a much closer look. I say to our City of Belvedere officials, “caveat emptor—or buyer beware.”