Healdsburg's Mill District Offers One Of The Most Unique Residential Experiences In Wine Country

Healdsburg's up-and-coming Mill District is now home to one of the most unique residential experiences in wine country.

Inside the penthouses, floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the space.

Healdsburg has always been a highly desired wine country destination. But in recent years, a slew of new developments—paired with an uptick in city dwellers flocking here in search of a quieter lifestyle—have transformed the Sonoma town into one of the area’s most desirable communities.

Outside one of the penthouse residences

One intriguing project in the works is development group Replay Destinations’ $500 million, mixed-use development known as Mill District. “We’ve always been drawn to wine country and the authenticity of a town like Healdsburg,” says Greg Ashley, chief strategy officer of Replay Destinations. “Like many small towns, Healdsburg was growing, was establishing a great reputation and was only 90 minutes from the economic engine of the Bay Area. And to find a piece of land, right downtown where the owner of a lumber mill was looking to sell so they could expand their business in a new location, was a remarkable opportunity.

The town of Healdsburg had already identified this area for the expansion of downtown, and we thought, ‘Where else can you find almost 10 acres in a town like Healdsburg—or any town in wine country—[that] had already been identified as an area of redevelopment?’”

Ashley and his Replay team knew the opportunity to masterplan a new neighborhood in an area where the barrier to entry is high was exceptional, or, as he calls it, one of those never-before, never-again moments. After nearly five years of planning and dreaming up a new neighborhood, Replay broke ground to make it a reality.

Garden Home patios offer plenty of space for entertaining outdoors

“We already saw evidence of strong demand for living in downtown Healdsburg within walking distance to the tasting rooms, galleries, restaurants and retail experiences,” says Ashley. “The only option for people has been to buy an older, wartime bungalow that needs extensive renovation or a tear down and rebuild. We knew we could provide something unique and new, with sophisticated design and experiences.”

All of this led to Canopy, the ultraluxe, debut collection of 43 residences in Mill District that are on track to be completed in the later half of 2023. Masterfully imagined by celebrated AD100 architect Olson Kundig, the five penthouses, garden homes and flats offer peak indoor-outdoor floor plans (a hot commodity in wine country) complemented by beautiful interior design that fuses nature and art, and honors the area’s industrial heritage. Homes are imbued with natural materials as a nod to their surroundings, creating spaces that are inviting and serene yet remarkably bold and artistic.

The penthouses’ sweeping wraparound terraces boast picturesque Healdsburg and mountain views. In the garden homes, backyard living is key: Private outdoor areas take the stage in these two-level abodes. Double-height living rooms, flooded with natural light, create the ideal indoor-outdoor environment. Similarly, the flats, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, feature spacious open-concept homes perfect for weekend getaways.

A penthouse primary bedroom

Not only is Canopy a stunning architectural spectacle at tree level among The Preserve, where redwoods have been preserved and serve as the backdrop to all Canopy homes, but it also offers impressive luxury amenities. One perk of living here is having exclusive access to The Poolhouse—a private social, health and wellness facility, complete with a demonstration kitchen and gathering spaces. The Poolhouse was designed by San Francisco-based SB Architects to allow residents access to a space to achieve ultimate relaxation, or host business or social gatherings, just steps away from their homes.

Residents also have a hand in Mill District’s partnership with SingleThread Farm, Restaurant and Inn, a three-Michelin-star winner. The partnership includes a collaboration with chef Kyle Connaughton on kitchen function and performance, wine discovery, curation and storage, culinary gardens and concierge experiences.

Canopy also offers another intangible: small-town living in a world-class setting. The development is already turning heads—Ashley notes that 50% of buyers plan to use their Canopy homes as permanent residences. Its walkability to the bustling downtown Healdsburg, pedestrian- and cycling-friendly atmosphere (cars are parked underground), and focus on community make Canopy—and the up-and-coming Mill District—one to watch. From $925,000