The official groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday afternoon for Distel Circle, a five-story affordable housing infill at 330 Distel Circle in Los Altos, Santa Clara County. The project is adding 90 units to the city’s northern border with Mountain View. EAH Housing is the project developer.
Distel Circle Affordable Housing, image courtesy EAH Housing
Distel Circle Affordable Housing lobby entrance, rendering by KTGY Architects
The five-story structure will create 90 units, including two for on-site property managers and affordable units for households earning between 30% to 80% of the area’s median income. Apartment types will range from studios to three-bedroom family units. Residential amenities will include a community room, outdoor courtyard, and on-site services.
In a press release shared before the event, president and CEO of EAH Housing, Laura Hall, said, “We’re proud to mark this milestone with our partners, supporters, and neighbors. We thank you for your vision and investment in making affordable housing a reality across the region.”
Distel Circle Affordable Housing interiors, rendering by KTGY Architects
KTGY Architects is responsible for the design. Renderings show the exterior will sit four floors of off-grey fiber cement panels on top of a timber-wrapped ground floor. Facade articulation and solar shades will add variation to visually break apart the massing. According to the studio, the development will meet LEED certification standards and “will feature modular construction with a cross-laminated timber podium, allowing for innovative and environmentally responsible construction methods.”
The primary construction funding source for Distel Circle is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and State Credit equity. Santa Clara County allocated $14.6 million for the development, with half of that coming from the 2016-passed Measure A Affordable Housing Bond.
“By purchasing this property and making it available for development, the County helped lay the foundation for the City’s first affordable housing project,” said Consuelo Hernández, Deputy County Executive, Santa Clara County.
Distel Circle Affordable Housing pedestrian view, rendering by KTGY Architects
The property is located along Distel Circle, half a block away from West El Camino Real. The area is dominated by a mix of apartments, single-family houses, and offices. The closest grocery store is just eight minutes away on foot. The San Antonio Caltrain Station is just 15 minutes away by bus, or six minutes via bicycle.
With construction now underway, completion is expected as early as January 2027.
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why does every new building look the same these days?
The world has a rude awakening of vernaculars and trends. No matter where you go, you’re going to see repetition. Just be thankful this isn’t China repeating the exact copycat in a series of 10.
I quite like the ground floor of this development. You can see the attention to detail in making it welcoming on the human scale.