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  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
  • NIKI Properties, LLC VS S.D. Deacon Corp. of California Unlimited Civil (Antitrust/Trade Regulation) document preview
						
                                

Preview

eo ee fe LED Daniel L. Rottinghaus, California Bar No. 131949 Jacob A. Moss, California Bar No. 264820 BERDING & WEIL LLP F I ALAMEDA COUNTY 2175 N. California Blvd, Suite 500 Walnut Creek, California 94596 AUG 1-4 2017 wo Telephone: 925/838-2090 Facsimile: 925/820-5592 CLERK OF JHE SUPERIOR COURT - dlr@berding-weil.com =‘ : imoss(@berding-weil.com By Co 7) DEPUTY WN an Attorneys for Plaintiff NIK] PROPERTIES, LLC SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Af DA Q4XV4 Boy ATE 71279 NIKI PROPERTIES, LLC, a California No. limited liability company, NIK] PROPERTIES, LLC’S Plaintiff, COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES VS. S.D. DEACON CORP. OF CALIFORNIA, a California corporation; DEACON CORP., a California corporation; HIGH END DEVELOPMENT, INC., a California corporation; LOWNEY ARCHITECTS, INC., JURY TRIAL REQUESTED a California corporation; 30TH AND BROADWAY, LLC, a California limited liability company; and DOES | to 100, inclusive, Defendant. Plaintiff NIKI PROPERTIES, LLC complains and alleges as follows: THE PARTIES ]. At all times herein-stated, Plaintiff, NIK] PROPERTIES, LLC (“PLAINTIFF”) was, and now is, a limited liability company organized and existing by virtue of the laws of the State of California, with its principal place of business located in La Jolla, California; PLAINTIFF is the owner of a retail grocery store and shops with approximately 36,800 square feet of leasable area and roof top parking located at 3001 Broadway, Oakland, California, commonly referred to as the “Shops on Broadway” (the “Property”. BERDING & WEIL LLP VTS Cobfosras Ba dude VE Walout Crock, Califormua 94 596 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 2. Defendant S.D. DEACON CORP. OF CALIFORNIA, a California corporation, | was qualified to do business and actually did business at all relevant times in the State of, N California, including the County of Alameda. 3, Defendant DEACON CORP., a California corporation, was qualified to do business and actually did business at all relevant times in the State of California, including the County of Alameda. S.D. DEACON CORP. OF CALIFORNIA and DEACON CORP. will collectively be referred to herein as “DEACON.” DEACON was the general contractor who constructed the Property. 4, Defendant HIGH END DEVELOPMENT, INC. (“HIGH END”), a Califomia corporation, was qualified to do business and actually did business at all relevant times in the State of California, including the County of Alameda). HIGH END was DEACON’s waterproofing subcontractor for the construction of the Property. ) 5. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief alleges, DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, were contractors or subcontractors, being individuals, associations, partnerships and/or corporations, and all their employees and agents, who performed services as general or subcontractors and/or provided equipment, materials and/or supplies for the work performed at the Property that is at issue herein. DEACON, HIGH END, and DOES 1 through 25, inclusive, will sometimes be collectively referred to herein as CONTRACTOR DEFENDANTS. | 6. Defendant LOWNEY ARCHITECTS, INC. (“LOWNEY”), a California corporation, was qualified to do business and actually did business at all relevant times in the State of California, including the County of Alameda. LOWNEY was the architect who designed the Property. 7. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief alleges, that DOES 26 through 50, inclusive, were architects, engineers, designers and consultants, who provided design services in connection with the planning, design, specification, inspection, supervision, development and construction of the work performed at the Property that HTl BERDING & WEIL LLP DTS NC otiteens NTS Coliternue Gisd Suete s$00 Walnas Ceeck, Colitoraa 24 $96 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES is at issue herein. LOWNEY and DOES 26 through 50, inclusive, will sometimes be collectively referred to herein as DESIGN DEFENDANTS. i) 8. Defendant 30™ AND BROADWAY, LLC (“SELLER”), a California limited WW liability company, was qualified to do business and actually did business at all relevant times in HE the State of California, including the County of Alameda. Seller sold the Property to WN PLAINTIFF shortly after construction was completed. . WB 9. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief NY alleges, that DOES 51 through 75, inclusive, were the agents, employees, principals, successors, Oo partners and/or joint ventures of the SELLER. At all times relevant to this action, DOES 51 mo 10 through 75 acted within the course and scope of such representation, agency, employment, 1] partnership and/or venture in planning, designing, developing, building, marketing, selling and/or 12 lending money for the Property. SELLER and DOES 76 through 100, inclusive, will sometimes * 13 be collectively referred to herein as the SELLER DEFENDANTS. 14 10. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief 15 alleges, that DOES 76 through 100, inclusive, were individuals and/or entities, who supplied, 16 manufactured and/or distributed materials, products and goods used in or for the work performed 17 at the Property that is at issue herein. 18 11. The true names and capacities, whether individual, corporate, associate or 19 otherwise, of Defendant DOES | through 100, inclusive, are unknown to PLAINTIFF, who 20 therefore sues said Defendants by such fictitious names. PLAINTIFF will move to amend this 21 Complaint to allege their true names and capacities when the same have been ascertained. 22 12. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief 23 alleges, that each of said DOE Defendants are responsible in some manner for the events and 24 happenings herein referred to and proximately caused the damages alleged by PLAINTIFF 25 herein. ok ; f 26 13. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief 27 alleges that at all times herein mentioned, each of the Defendants was the agent, servant and/or 28 /1/ BERDING & WEIL LLP TIS N Cartfurnda Bid Sune $00 * Welaul Creek, Coliforms 94596 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES employee of the remaining Defendants, and at all times herein mentioned was acting within the course and scope of said agency and/or employment. 14. PLAINTIFF is unaware of the basis of liability as to some or all such fictitious DOE Defendants, but believes that their liability arises out of the same general facts as set forth herein. PLAINTIFF will seek leave to amend this Complaint to assert the theories of liability of said fictitiously named Defendants when the same have been ascertained. “SN 15. Defendants DEACON, HIGH END, LOWNEY, SELLER, and DOES | through 100 shall collectively be referred to herein as “Defendants.” Co GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 16. On or about September 24, 2014, SELLER and DEACON entered into a contract whereby DEACON agreed to serve as the general contractor to build the Property. A true and correct copy of the contract between SELLER and DEACON is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein (the “Construction Contract.”) 17. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief alleges, that SELLER also contracted with LOWNEY whereby LOWNEY agreed to serve as the architect and designer of record for construction of the Property. 18. Thereafter, DEACON entered into a series of subcontracts with subcontractors to construct the Property, including a subcontract with HIGH END, whereby HIGH END agreed to serve as the waterproofing subcontractor for construction of the Property. 19. On or about May 26, 2016, PLAINTIFF purchased the Property from SELLER through a Purchase and Sale Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and_ incorporated herein (the “Purchase Agreement”). The Purchase Agreement contains a clause wherein SELLER agreed to and did assign the benefits of Construction Contract to PLAINTIFF. 20. By entering into the aforementioned contracts, Defendants agreed to plan, develop, improve, and construct the Property in a good and workmanlike manner free from defects in accord with all applicable building codes, and approved plans, and fit for the purpose of ordinary commercial use. The products and work were to have been selected, designed, manufactured, installed and performed free from defects, and fit for the purpose of ordinary BERDING & WEN. LLP TOTS WCalifeente Elva Sune $00 -4- Walnut Creek, Valifiiiaa 94596 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES ‘commercial use, but were not; instead they are defective, have resulted in consequential damage to other building components, and have caused specific property damage to personal property and other property. The defects include, but are not limited to, inadequate waterproofing and premature deterioration of the roof deck coating and roof structure; lack of or reverse slope of the roof; damage to roof from improper, and illegal saw cut; lack of gaps or ventilation at wood panels; lack of drainage at wall bases; efflorescence on roof deck at CMU wall; metal door frames causing rust on urethane coating at parking deck; improper waterproofing and flashing of the CMU block wall; improper assembly and waterproofing of the planter boxes on the roof; improper and inadequate waterproofing of the stairwells; lack of flexible connection at gas line; deteriorated sealant at windows; open joints in precast concrete; pipe penetrations at rooftop due to poorly fabricated covers; fading or missing parking striping; and failed sealing of ADA mats (collectively, the “Project Defects”). 21. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief alleges, that from time-to-time during the approximate period from the period of construction of the Property to the date of filing of this Complaint, Defendants performed inspections and reported on the Project Defects and made recommendations as to the conditions to co-Defendants. 22. PLAINTIFF is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief alleges, that Defendants or those who the Defendants hired to make inspections did not reveal, disclose or inform PLAINTIFF of the conditions of the Property observed during inspections conducted by said parties, and PLAINTIFF reasonably relied on the implied and express representations that the Property was free from the Project Defects. 23. PLAINTIFF is presently unaware of when all of the defective conditions alleged herein first occurred or manifested themselves or caused’ physical injury to or destruction of tangible property, or the loss of use of such property, but asserts that the conditions at issue herein have developed and occurred over a period of time since substantial completion of the work, said deficiencies and resulting physical injurics being continuous and progressive. Hf] HERDING & WEIL LLP IUISN Cottons Bicd Sure $06 Walout Crcck, Calstoinas 93596 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 24. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct and each of them, PLAINTIFF has been damaged in an amount to be shown according to proof at trial. Damages in this regard include, but are not limited to, cost of repair, interest expense, increased maintenance costs, relocation costs, loss of use, investigation costs, other litigation costs, attorney’s fees, as > well as other consequential damage to real and personal property. WN VENUE HN 25. | This Court has jurisdiction under section 410.10 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Ss PLAINTIFF seeks damages under California statutory and common law. Co 26. Venue is proper under sections 392, 395, and 395.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure Oo 10 because, (1) the described injuries to property occurred in this county; (b) some of the acts 1] described herein occurred within this county; (c) Defendants are registered to do business in the State of California and are doing business within this county; and (d) because Defendants did do business in this county by developing, constructing, repairing, managing, selling and lending money to develop the Property. RELIEF FROM THE ARBITRATION PROVISION IN THE CONTRACT 27. Section 4.6 of the Construction Contract contains an agreement to submit disputes to arbitration. The other Defendants, however, did not agree to submit any of the issues set forth herein to arbitration. 28. Accordingly, no parties subject to this dispute other than PLAINTIFF and DEACON are subjected to the arbitration provision contained in the Construction Contract. Furthermore, the principals of the Defendants who are, or who may be lable under Michaelis v. Benavides (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 681, are not subject to the arbitration provision in the Agreement. If the causes of action and claims proceed to a resolution in different forums, there is a possibility of conflicting rulings on a common issue of law or fact. 29. Accordingly, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 1281.2(c), and for judicial economy, the Court should refuse to enforce the arbitration provision in the Agreement or stay any arbitration pending the outcome of the court action. /T/ BERDING & WEIL LLP 2N7d 4 Cobituenia Bind Sete 200 Watnu Crock, Calilernia 94546 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION (Breach of Contract Against DEACON) 30. | PLAINTIFF incorporates and realleges, though fully set forth herein, paragraphs 1 through 29, inclusive. . | 31. On or about September 24, 2014, DEACON and SELLER entered into the Construction Contract, wherein DEACON agreed to, among other things, construct the Property. DEACON agreed and warranted that its work would be performed in accordance with the Contract Documents and any and all applicable building code requirements; that all materials and equipment furnished in connection with the Work would be of good quality and new unless otherwise required or permitted by the contract documents, and that all work, labor, services, materials and equipment would be performed in a good and workmanlike manner, of good quality, and free from any faults and defects. 32. | The Contract also includes an agreement that the prevailing party in any dispute shall be entitled to recovery of attorney’s fees and costs. 33. On'or about May 26, 2016, SELLER assigned all interests in the Construction Contract to PLAINTIFF. As a result, PLAINTIFF has stepped into the shoes of SELLER as a party to the Construction Contract and has legal standing to sue DEACON for its breaches of the same. 34. SELLER and PLAINTIFF performed all conditions, terms, and covenants required of them under the Construction Contract, except for those that may have been waived, excused or prevented by the actions, inactions or conduct of DEACON. 35. | DEACON breached the Construction Contract by failing to complete and/or repair the work required in a good and workmanlike manner, failing to ensure that the Property performed in accordance with the reasonable expectations of the PLAINTIFF and as a typical commercial property, and constructing the Property in a way that resulted in the manifestation of the Project Defects. 36. As a direct and proximate result of DEACON’s breach of the Construction Contract as herein alleged, PLAINTIFF has been damaged in an amount that exceeds the BERDING S& WEIL LLP TITS N Calittens Mee Sunte $06 -7- Welnun Creck, Calilomis 459 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES minimum jurisdictional amount of the Court, the exact amount to be shown according to proof at trial, representing the reasonable cost of construction, interest expense, restoration, repair and NN related consequential damages arising from or related to the Project Defects, together with Ww attorney’s fees, investigation costs, and other litigation costs. PLAINTIFF will seek leave of the Bh Court to allege the exact amount of said damages when the same have been. ascertained. 72) WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays for judgment as against each Defendant as hereinafter SN set forth. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION CS (Breach of Express Warranty Against All Parties Except SELLER DEFENDANTS) Oo 37. PLAINTIFF incorporates | and realleges, as through fully set forth herein, oO paragraphs 1 through 36, inclusive. ° . 38. Defendants (other than SELLER), and each of them, inclusive, issued written warranties for the benefit of PLAINTIFF, as stated in the Contract, and as provided with supplies, materials, goods and products, including a warranty that all materials and equipment furnished and all work performed would be of good workmanship and qiiality, and be free of defects, and that the work performed would conform with the requirements of all applicable contract documents. 39. PLAINTIFF relied on these warranties, and believed in good faith that the roofs at the Property were of merchantable quality and were constructed in a good and workmanlike | manner, including being free of the Project Defects. 40. Defendants, and each of them, inclusive, have breached these warranties by, among other things, failing to properly manufacture and fabricate materials, goods, and products as warranted, and failing to construct the Property and related improvements in a workmanlike manner and in a manner consistent with the plans and specifications and/or the applicable contract documents, all resulting in the Project Defects as herein alleged. 4], PLAINTIFF has provided notice to Defendants, and each of them, inclusive, that they breached the warranties by communicating to them that their materials, goods, products and/or work is defective. BERDING & WEIL LLP TUS Na Califorme Bhat Sube 506 Wateia Crok, Cahferrue 94 in COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 42. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ breach of warranty as herein alleged, PLAINTIFF has been damaged in an amount that exceeds the minimum jurisdictional amount of the Court, the exact amount to be shown according to proof at trial, but not limited to, the cost of repairing and replacing the defective materials and workmanship, testing and investigation of such defective materials and workmanship, relocation costs, attorney’s fees, investigation costs and other litigation costs, as well as other incidental and consequential DH damages. PLAINTIFF will seek leave of the Court to allege the exact amount of said damages SY when the same have been ascertained. Oo WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays for judgment as against each Defendant as hereinafter Oo set forth. ST - THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION (Breach of Implied Warranty Against All Parties Except SELLER DEFENDANTS) 43. | PLAINTIFF incorporates and realleges, as though fully set forth herein, paragraphs |] through 42, inclusive. 44. Defendants (other than SELLER) impliedly warranted that the roofs at the - Property would be free from defects and fit for the purpose of ordinary commercial use. PLAINTIFF relied on the skill and judgment of said Defendants to. select and provide products, materials, and goods, and to perform or have performed work suitable to design, construct, and install all building components in a good and workmanlike manner, and in accord with all applicable building codes as said Defendants were in a better position than PLAINTIFF to know about defects in the work or materials chosen to construct the roofs at the Property. 45. After PLAINTIFF discovered the Project Defects, and within the time, manner, and form prescribed by law, notice was given to all known defendants orally and in writing of the breach of said implied warranties. Defendants have failed to address the damages or repair or compensate PLAINTIFF for the Property Defects, forcing PLAINTIFF to pay for such matters from its own account and to file this Jawsuit for reimbursement. Defendants have refused to make timely payment, and continue to refuse to reimburse PLAINTIFF for its expenditures and to wholly compensate it for the loss and damage. BERDING & WEIL LLP Sen COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES 46. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ breach of warranty as herein alleged, PLAINTIFF has been damaged in an amount that exceeds the minimum jurisdictional NHN amount of the Court, the exact amount to be shown according to proof at trial, representing the WY reasonable cost of construction, interest expense, restoration, repair and related consequential & damages arising from or related to the Project Defects, attorney’s fees, investigation costs and WS SD other litigation costs. PLAINTIFF will seek leave of the Court to allege the exact amount of said damages when the same have been ascertained. WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays for judgment as against each Defendant, jointly and severally, as hereinafter set forth. 10 FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION 1 (Negligence Against All Parties Except SELLER DEFENDANTS) 12 47, PLAINTIFF incorporates and realleges, as though fully set forth herein, 13 paragraphs 1} through 46, inclusive. 14 48. PLAINTIFF is informed and beheves, and based on thereon alleges, that 15 Defendants performed design, construction, labor, improvement and services at the Property 16 and/or supplied materials and equipment to the Property. Each of them acted as general 17 contractors, subcontractors, designers, material suppliers, and/or manufacturers of equipment of 18 or for the construction of the Property. 49, Said Defendants, and each of them, were thereby under a duty of due care to design, construct and provide materials or equipment for the Property in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with the applicable building codes, the custom and practice in the industry at the time, and the plans, specifications and other contract documents. Said Defendants, and each of them, were also under a duty of due care in the supervision, administration and observation of such activities. 50. PLAINTIFF rehed on said Defendants, and each of them, to construct and provide materials or equipment for the Property in such a manner that it would be free from the Project Defects. Said Defendants, and each of them, were negligent and breached their respective duties of due care in that they did not, inter alia, construct and provide design, labor, materials or BERDING & WEIL LLP 2179S Coldenda Dive Suite $90 Walnut Check, Calilioneda 94576 -10- COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES e e equipment for the work at the Property with due care, or in accordance with applicable building codes, or in conformity with prevailing standards of custom and practice in the industry at the time, or in accordance with the plans, specifications and other contract documents prepared for the construction of the roofs at the Property, or in a reasonably workmanlike manner. In addition, said Defendants, and each of them, negligently failed to provide due care in the administration, supervision, and observation of the construction and repair according to the applicable standard of care at the time. 51. Asa proximate result of the negligence of said Defendants, and each of them, the Property is materially defective and deficient in its design, formation, materials, workmanship and construction and suffers from the Project Defects, as set forth more specifically alleged above, and Plaintiff has suffered damages, including property damages as hereinafter set forth, and continue to suffer damages, as a proximate result as more particularly described above. | 52. | PLAINTIFF has brought these claims against said Defendants, and each of them, within the applicable statute of limitations based upon its discovery of the injuries and the causes thereof. WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays for judgment as against each Defendant, jointly and severally, as hereinafter set forth. FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Breach of Express Indemnity Against DEACON) 53. | PLAINTIFF incorporates and realleges, as though fully set forth herein, paragraphs | through 52, inclusive. 54. As a term and condition for the Construction Contract, DEACON agreed to: ‘“Indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Owner, any Lender, the Architect, Architect’s consultants, and its and their respective members, managers, officers, directors, agents, and employees and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “Indemnitees”) and each individually, an “Indemnitee”), from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from; (1) the Contractor’s performance of the Work, or any part thereof; (2) the failure of the Contractor to perform any of its obligations under the Contract Documents; (3) the inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of the Contractor; or (40 any act or omission of the BERDING & WEIL LLP 11731 Cabloma Bhs Seite 0 -l]- Watt Creck, Califorrus 44590 COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES Contractor, any Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly 1 employed by them, or anyone that they control or exercise control over, (collectively, “Liabilities’) caused by the negligent or 2 intentional acts or omissions of the Contractor, a Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for 3 whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. Contractor’s indemnity....” 55. After entering into the Contract, DEACON began its work at the Property. As a NNNH result of DEACON’s work, PLAINTIFF has sustained damage to the Property, and such damage has caused losses to the PLAINTIFF which DEACON promised to indemnify. These damages are directly related to DEACON’s failure to properly construct the Property, and PLAINTIFF ao now needs to make repairs and replace certain components of the work. These damages and 7 losses were contributed to in whole or in part by work negligently performed or omitted to be So 11 |] performed by DEACON, but in either case arise out of the work DEACON performed. 12 56. | PLAINTIFF has demanded DEACON indemnify it pursuant to the Contract, but 13 || DEACON has failed to satisfy such indemnity obligations. 14 57. By reason of the foregoing, PLAINTIFF is entitled to be indemnified by 15 || DEACON in an amount to be determined. PLAINTIFF has incurred, and continues to incur, 16 }} necessary and reasonable attorney’s fees and other legal costs in prosecuting this action. By the 17 || terms of the Construction Contract, PLAINTIFF is entitled to recover those fees and costs from 18 || DEACON. PLAINTIFF does not know the full amount thereof at this time and will move for 19 || leave to amend this Complaint to state the amount when it becomes known to it, or on proof 20 thereof, | 2] WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFF prays judgment against Defendants, and each of them as 22 || hereinafter set forth. | 23 SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION (24 (Strict Liability in Tort Against DOES 76 through 100) 25 58. PLAINTIFF incorporates and realleges, as though fully set forth herein, 26 |} paragraphs 1 through 57, inclusive. - 27 59. DOES 76 through 100 are, and at all times herein mentioned were, engaged in the