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That Striking Warehouse off 101 in Novato: Former Birkenstock US HQ

Marin history and our Zillow listing of the week

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Marin Buzz
June 16, 2025

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Just as you leave Marin County heading north on Highway 101, there is a striking modernist warehouse.

You may have seen the Birkenstock sign: this building once served as the US headquarters for the German sandal maker. But let’s go back a ways before that.

The building was completed in 1966, designed by the Candlestick-Park architect John Savage Bolles. The saw-tooth-roof, white-peaked structure is one of the Bay Area’s finest mid-century industrial buildings. It originally housed the textbook giant McGraw-Hill.

Birkenstock is a company that traces its origins to a cobbler in 1774. A great-grandson invented contoured arch support, and in 1964 they launched “the world’s first fitness sandal.” Santa Cruz entrepreneur Margot Fraser soon began importing them to the US.

It wasn’t a promising start. Shoe stores and podiatrists all refused to carry the “ugly” sandals. A health food store in San Rafael was the first retail location, and the sandals became a counterculture staple of the hippie movement. It wasn’t a fad though. Birkenstock has a compound annual growth rate of 20% since 2014 due to loyal older customers and also catching on with younger generations. A rare combo!

Birkenstock US shipped sandals out of the unique warehouse from 1992 to 2007. At that point logistics moved to Kentucky and office staff to Hamilton Landing. They would return from 2012-2020, but the site has been empty ever since. It was listed for sale earlier this year and fielding offers around $40 million, and is currently under contract.

One more fun fact: Birkenstocks that once belonged to Steve Jobs sold for $218,750 at auction!

One question: do you know what health food store in San Rafael was the first to carry Birkenstocks? I would imagine the store isn’t around anymore, but I couldn’t find that info.

Pool volleyball anyone? That will be $3.8M.

I love a good game of pool volleyball! Just don’t be like Greg Focker…

This house has it all. Outdoor kitchen. Bocce court. Fire pit.

Plus, a Zinfandel vineyard that backs up to open space. If you want the vineyard feel, while still close to civilization and 101 access, this house is a pretty good combo.

Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

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