David Papera and Tiburon, California: Designing 11 Waterfront Homes in Paradise Cay
September 9, 2025 | Richard Hunt
When I think back on my career, few projects stand out as much as my collaboration with developer David Papera in Tiburon, California’s Paradise Cay. What made it extraordinary was not just the design of the homes nor the surrounding landscape. It is the sheer scale and ambition of building so many at once, in a neighborhood that many doubted could support such high-end construction.
Together, we undertook the development of 13 homes, with me designing 11 of them and David developing an additional two. This was not incremental growth. It was a bold, all-in bet on a neighborhood that had not yet been “discovered” as a destination for luxury waterfront living.
Thirteen at Once: The Scale That Transformed Paradise Cay
In my previous article, I only discussed two houses, but I mentioned there were 13 homes. I will share them here to show how bold and transformative the Paradise Cay project was.
What made this undertaking so significant — and so difficult — was the scale. Building thirteen high-end homes simultaneously in a neighborhood that had yet to be recognized as capable of supporting such a product required more than architecture. It demanded vision, risk-taking, and perseverance. At the time, most in the real estate community doubted the market would respond to homes at this price level.
This endeavor was not an institutional project backed by major developers. It was powered by David’s conviction as the developer, the backing of a nontraditional lender, and my architectural designs carried through across nearly every home. That combination — personal risk, financial ingenuity, and cohesive design — is what made the effort historic.
And against the odds, the gamble paid off. Thirteen luxury waterfront homes came to life in a neighborhood once considered unproven, and buyers responded. Some of the homes even sold before completion, validating both the architectural vision and David’s bold belief in Paradise Cay’s potential.
The 11 Homes I Designed for Paradise Cay
From Jamaica Street to Saint Thomas Way, these homes stood as proof that bold design and bold development could succeed together.
1. 108 Jamaica Street
108 Jamaica Street, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
220 Jamaica Street, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
207 Martinique Avenue, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
229 Martinique Avenue, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
138 Trinidad Drive, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
82 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
86 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
90 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
94 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
98 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
106 Saint Thomas Way, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Richard Hunt, built by David Papera
The Record-Breaking Jamaica Street Homes
Among the homes developed during the Paradise Cay project, 233 Jamaica Street remains one of the most memorable to me. Although it was designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce rather than myself, I remember it as a defining moment in the neighborhood’s evolution.
Developed by David Papera, the home broke a record more than twenty years ago — selling for $3.3 million, an extraordinary figure for the area back then. Its success underscored what we had all worked toward: proving that Tiburon’s waterfront could support a new standard of luxury living.
233 Jamaica Street, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce, built by David Papera
Just down the street, 228 Jamaica Street, also designed by Hank Bruce, carried the same spirit of craftsmanship and ambition. Together, these two homes, represented the height of David’s bold vision completing the 13-home effort. A blend of architectural excellence, financial risk, and forward-thinking development that helped reshape the identity of Paradise Cay.
228 Jamaica Street, Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce, built by David Papera
While I designed eleven of the thirteen homes, it was the collective achievement — mine, Hank’s, and David’s — that transformed Paradise Cay into one of Marin County’s most desirable enclaves, a status it continues to hold today.
Other Notable Projects in Tiburon
While Paradise Cay was the centerpiece of our collaboration, David Papera’s development work extended across Marin County and the Bay Area. These homes, designed by other architects, further demonstrate the breadth of his vision and commitment to high-end residential projects.
Tiburon Hillside Homes
Designed by Mohamad Sadrieh
138 Gilmartin Dr, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Mohamad Sadrieh, built by David Papera
193 Gilmartin Dr, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Mohamad Sadrieh, built by David Papera
Designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce
330 Beach Rd, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce, built by David Papera
209 Golden Gate Avenue, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce, built by David Papera
424 Golden Gate Avenue, Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920, designed by Henry “Hank” Bruce, built by David Papera
Mill Valley
8 Egret Way, Mill Valley, CA 94941, built by David Papera
Ross
14 Upper Ames Ave (Designed by John Matthams)
14 Upper Ames Ave, Ross, CA 94957, designed by John Matthams, built by David Papera
Breaking New Ground in Tiburon
What we achieved was more than a collection of houses — it was a statement.
It proved that Tiburon’s waterfront could support a caliber of living that had not yet been seen there. The real estate community did a remarkable job connecting buyers with the vision, and the success of these sales set new price benchmarks for the area.
It’s important to understand this wasn’t backed by institutional financing. It was a nontraditional, high-risk endeavor, championed by David Papera as the developer. That alone speaks to the scale of what was accomplished.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Paradise Cay stands as one of Marin County’s most desirable enclaves. Yet when we built the waterfront homes, nothing was guaranteed. We were building waterfront homes in a neighborhood that had never been tested at that level.
The project became historic not only because of its design, but also because of the risks it entailed. David and his company dared to build numerous high-end homes simultaneously over two years. That bold move transformed Paradise Cay.
It was his courage that changed Tiburon
Continuing the Vision
The vision that shaped Paradise Cay didn’t end with that project. David Papera continues to carry it forward today as a licensed California contractor and developer, leading Papera Construction and Development LLC.
Through his company, David brings the same commitment to quality, foresight, and bold thinking to projects across the Bay Area. The story of Paradise Cay serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when vision and design align — and that spirit continues to define his work today.
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