The formal application has been filed for University Station, a residential infill at 451 El Camino Real next to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. The over four hundred-unit project will extend across city lines, with housing in Santa Clara and San Jose. Morley Bros. is responsible for the application.
The project will create 409 units across over 675,000 square feet of floor area, with 298 apartments and 111 townhomes. Most homes will be in Santa Clara, with just 13 townhomes in San Jose. The developer has used the Builder’s Remedy and Senate Bill 330 to streamline the approval process and sidestep local zoning. The apartments and townhomes will contain 62 units of affordable housing.
University Station townhomes, illustration by KTGY
KTGY is the project architect. The podium-style apartment complex will wrap around the garage and two open courtyards. The apartment and townhomes will both be clad with a collage-style facade with bay windows and a top-level setback. Exterior materials will include brick veneer, lap-siding cement, and stucco.
New trees will be planted across the site as part of a larger landscaping scheme. A linear pedestrian pathway will be a cushion between the townhomes and next-door offices. The property border along the Caltrain tracks will be buffered with new trees
University Station site plan, illustration by KTGY
University Station – Existing Site Aerial
The nearly 11-acre property is located along El Camino Real, immediately adjacent to the Caltrain Station and the Santa Clara University campus. Over 200,000 square feet of existing commercial buildings, alongside parking garages, utilities, and trees, will need to be demolished.
The Morley Bros have filed the project application on behalf of the property owners, Bixby Land Company. Bixby acquired University Station in 2007, comprising four office buildings and a retail strip mall. One commercial structure, the retail, and the hotel will remain on-site.
Eric Morley, Principal for the Morley Bros, shared with YIMBY the following statement:
We look forward to delivering much needed housing and affordable housing near transit in conformance with Santa Clara’s General Plan designation for the property and in collaboration with the City and community. Our plans for new high density housing along El Camino Real will complement the existing residential neighborhood, enhance the mixed use district and support transit ridership.
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Townhomes don’t seem like the best use of a prime Caltrain/future Bart adjacent property, especially considering it’s relatively far from any single family neighborhood where residents might normally object to a bigger denser project.
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. NIMBY-luddites latch onto statements like yours in order to prevent ANYTHING from being built.
Plus, this is 298 apartments AND 111 townhomes.
Building housing in a Public transit area with 62 affordable units looks great
Much necessary project, but that may be the least inspired architecture imaginable.