More than 200 guests, including State, County and City officials, celebrate at grand opening gala
There was a grand party over the weekend as Nordhavn’s new world headquarters was officially dedicated and unveiled to the public in fine style. Friday evening’s grand opening celebration, attended by over 200 guests including local Orange County dignitaries, showcased the remarkable transformation of the former Beach House restaurant into what now stands as the modern and beautiful home base of the trawler industry’s most renowned brand.
The Southern California-based Nordhavn Yachts staff transitioned from three separate office buildings scattered throughout Dana Point into the glorious 10,000-square-foot harborside location the beginning of this year. The offices, conference rooms and client-designated areas in the structure, which boasts nearly 360-degree water views, takes on the feeling of a four-star hotel. Koi ponds and exquisite landscaping welcome guests through the striking front entrance which leads into a shrine dedicated to the history of Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc. (P.A.E.), Dana Point Harbor as well as of the building itself.
That which cannot be ignored is the gorgeous, electric blue backlit bar and lounge area to the east of the headquarters’ working areas. The building had been the site of several different restaurants, most notably The Beach House, where legend has it that P.A.E. vice president Jim Leishman and his brother, naval architect Jeff Leishman, drew out the concept of the Nordhavn 46 on a cocktail napkin while sitting at the end of the very bar that now serves Nordhavn clientele. There was never a question that the bar would remain intact throughout the reno project. On Friday night, guests surrounded the bar and adjacent outdoor patio to celebrate how far the Leishman brothers, and their partner P.A.E. president Dan Streech, have come in the four decades since.
“The move into the building behind me is the culmination of 40 years of being in the boat business here in Dana Point Harbor,” Streech said, addressing the crowd. “Forty years of growing from a tiny office selling small brokerage boats out of one of the buildings just a short walk from here to having an internationally recognized brand and an organization that spans the globe, which now bases from a world-class facility.”
Nordhavn/P.A.E. was honored with three Certificates of Special Recognition; one from U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA, 49th District) and another from Pat Bates, Supervisor, Fifth District, Orange County Board of Supervisors –and one from Dana Point Mayor Pro tem Lisa Bartlett in recognition of the company’s long standing relationship with the city of Dana Point, the Dana Point Harbor,and the County of Orange and its commitment to the community.
Formed in 1978, Nordhavn has grown to become the most celebrated trademark of long-range cruising yachts in the world. The company is just coming off the successful launch of its new queenship, the maganificient Nordhavn 120, which was delivered last month on its own bottom from the factory in China to its new owner in Vancouver, BC. In addition to the company headquarters in Dana Point, Nordhavn also runs offices in Rhode Island, Florida, Washington, England, Australia, and most recently, Turkey.
