Windwater Mills, Millbrae: Name gives a nod to history

Feng shui also integral part of condo plan

Judy Richter, Special to The Chronicle
Sunday, April 22, 2007

Darius Ogden Mills (1825-1910) made his fortune in mines, lumber, railroads and banks. He made one of his homes in what is now the city of Millbrae.

The founder of the Bank of California bought land from the Sanchez family in the 1860s and built an estate that he named Millbrae after himself and the area’s brae, or rolling hills.

Since then, the Mills name has been affixed to such institutions as Mills Field, which started with 150 acres of the original estate and became San Francisco International Airport; Peninsula Medical Center; and Mills High School, among others.

Now it has made its way onto a condominium project, Windwater Mills in Millbrae.

“We put a lot of thought into (the name),” said Marilyn Ponte, a partner in Bayrock Residential, the Oakland developer that owns the 17-year-old building. Built as condos, the 72 units were rented as apartments until Bayrock bought the three-story building last April and began renovating it.

It has a new roof and new paint, and all of the units have updated kitchens and bathrooms, Ponte said.

The first part of the name, Windwater, is based on the literal translation of feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice that arranges elements in an environment to create harmony and well- being for its occupants.

“We recognize that there’s an Asian contingency there” in Millbrae, Ponte said. Accordingly, decor in the lobby and models have an Asian flavor.

About half the units have been sold since sales started in September, she said, adding that the buyers represent a spectrum of retirees, young couples, singles and empty-nesters. Three of the units were bought by their tenants.

That range makes sense, given that 4 of the 5 floor plans have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The other, the Atherton, has one bedroom and one bathroom.

Starting prices range from $449,900 for the Atherton with about 730 square feet to $624,900 for the Chesterfield with about 1,050 square feet. The largest unit, the 1,120-square-foot Chesterfield One, is sold out.

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