First Street Napa project 40% done; summer 2027 opening planned

Soon to offer panoramic views from Napa's tallest commercial building, the First Street Napa hotel and residential development is nearing the halfway point in construction. Developers expect the project to open as early as the summer of 2027.

Builders are making "significant" progress, according to Kameron Klotz of the developer 300 Venture Group. "It feels good to be well underway," said Klotz, who estimated construction is about 40% complete.

Known as Phase II of First Street Napa, the project includes two seven-story buildings (including rooftops), a 161-room hotel with restaurant, retail, spa, pool, and banquet and ballroom space, and a 78-unit building with branded housing featuring ground-floor retail, pool and spa, and other amenities. It is located at the corner of First and Main streets.

The project includes on-site parking for residents, reconstruction of the Brown Street corridor, circulation improvements, new landscaping, and installation of public art.

The project has been estimated to cost $300 million, and the Napa city website says it is also expected to provide a significant economic boost.

"Once fully operational, the hotel and associated retail components are projected to create approximately 177 daily full-time equivalent jobs, providing stable employment opportunities in the hospitality sector," the website states.

"The development is expected to generate significant revenue for the city's General Fund, with projections estimating an annual average of over $5.2 million in Transient Occupancy Tax revenue during the first five years of operation, as well as up to $380,000 in annual sales tax revenue."

While the economic benefits are still more than a year away, construction crews continue making visible progress.

Progress can be seen daily at Phase II of First Street Napa. All seven floors are now completed and the buildings were "topped out" in May. The exteriors are now being enclosed in glass, stone and metal. Windows and doors should be installed by August.

At the same time, mechanical systems, including electrical equipment and plumbing, are being installed. "It all happens at once," said Klotz.

One of the project's signature features is the view from the top floor. From the seventh floor of Napa's tallest building, visitors will experience what Klotz described as a "wow moment." From that height, they can see downtown Napa from a perspective few people have ever experienced.

"I call this the best advertising for downtown Napa there is," said Klotz about the expansive views.

The views are just one feature he believes will draw visitors.

"This is going to be a really, really nice addition to downtown Napa," featuring extraordinary attention to detail, said Klotz. "We'll set the high-water mark (for hospitality). It will be a game changer."

To begin with, not everyone was convinced. In the past, some locals expressed apprehension about the size and scope of the project. Did Napa need another hotel? Would it be another development that never took off? Would construction cause too much disruption downtown?

"It's natural to have doubts about something so grand, in the beginning," Klotz acknowledged. First Street Napa Phase II is "a big idea. You have to be brave and courageous in development, or it doesn't work."

These days, Klotz said he's "overwhelmed with support" for the development.

Does it seem like his project is moving faster than some people expected? It's hard for Klotz to answer that question.

"There's an incredible amount of coordination" that takes place every day, he said. Workers are on site six days a week, and the faster they work, the sooner the project can open, said Klotz.

A new name for Phase II of First Street Napa will be announced, according to Klotz, who expects the project to open as soon as early summer 2027.

Looking beyond this phase, Klotz said he'd like to see additional investment in downtown Napa. For example, Napa County recently declared the former Carithers department store building as "surplus" property. It is located directly across the street from First Street Napa Phase II.

"We'd love to see more progress, however that comes," said Klotz.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.