A historic site near Sonoma, once buzzing with activity that fell into disrepair under its previous owners, has received a makeover along with a new plan for economic development, which will be featured as part of a grand reopening event on Friday, April 24.
The focus of much attention when it was owned by the disgraced LeFever Mattson real estate empire, Cornerstone Sonoma, also known as Cornerstone Gardens and the Barn at Harrow Cellars, sits on 9 acres of retail space at Arnold Drive and Wagner Road, across from Gloria Ferrer Wines — an area heavily traveled by Sonoma Valley motorists.
A once-thriving center described as “the gateway to Wine County,” it for years housed a collection of shops, offices, tasting rooms, restaurants and wedding-ready gardens but began to lose business after business in 2019 and entered a state of visible neglect, while its then-owners spent more than $80 million on 26 properties throughout Sonoma Valley.
Part of a comprehensive 44-acre property, which also includes 19 acres of vineyards, an organic farm, overflow parking and storage, at 23570 Arnold Drive and 72, 100 and 150 Wagner Road, Cornerstone was purchased for $10.65 million Dec. 5 by Highland Pacific Capital LLC.
Highland Capital, owned by Kabul Singh, is based in Walnut Creek and buys distressed commercial real estate assets following bankruptcy or foreclosure. Its principal property manager, Jobin Singh Randhawa, told The Press Democrat the company has big plans for the Cornerstone location…