A proposed development at 15300 Los Gatos Boulevard has submitted initial documents to CEQA, beginning the process of environmental approvals. The Los Gatos-based project is brought by Arya Properties LLC, and is currently titled as The Arya Mixed-Use Development in the relevant records.
The proposal includes the demolition of the existing Ace Hardware and adjacent spaces to make way for a 116-foot-tall building complex, featuring seven levels of residential space, ground-level commercial space, and three levels of underground parking. An additional rooftop space will be made available as commercial space for a restaurant. The total project is 575,634 square feet, with 37,862 square feet going to the commercial space.
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Site Overview, image via Town of Los Gatos
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Site Plan, image by Anderson Architects
Each of the residential levels will hold 25 units, totaling 175 units for the building. These will be subdivided into a mix of 21 studios, 21 one-bedroom units, 70 two-bedroom units, and 63 three-bedroom units. The developer has committed to making 20% of the new units qualify as affordable housing.
Additional amenities include a pool, spa, barbecue areas, and outdoor community space on the second floor of the building. Additionally, the upper roof level will hold residents’ area, with a fitness area, community room, and outdoor roof deck. The outdoor roof deck would include a community spa, a covered barbecue area, a game area, outdoor dining, a pet area, and raised planting beds.
Anderson Architects is responsible for the building’s design. Early exterior renderings reveal a stylized façade with inspiration from mission-style architecture. The style is expected to fit well with surrounding architectural styles. Meanwhile, the building’s significant height and bulk will be broken up by articulated elements and private balconies. The current color scheme shows a mix of colors within the white and brown families.
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Context Rendering, image by Anderson Architects
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Side Elevation, image by Anderson Architects
The property is positioned along Los Gatos Boulevard between Gateway Drive and Cam Del Sol. For vehicle commuters, there is easy access to the nearby Highway 17 via the Lark Avenue entrance and exit. Meanwhile, future walking residents will be within a short distance of a large retail shopping area. Downtown Los Gatos and City Hall are also only 15 minutes away by bus or bicycle.
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Site Location, image via The Town of Los Gatos
15300 Los Gatos Boulevard Current Site, image via Google Street View
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I grew up less than a mile from here and made countless trips to that ACE Hardware. Glad to see the site being better utilized. Would be nice to see the bike lanes on LG Blvd get upgraded to fully protected down to Blossom Hill Rd to connect with the protected lanes there which in turn connect to the LG Creek Trail and downtown.
I am all in for density and death to the suburbs, but this one really stands out a bit too tall… Guess it’ll match the height of the high-voltage lines.
A bigger concern is dumping heavy density in areas not designed for it. Transit is a must, and a bus service cutting out by 9:00 PM is not a reliable alternative. Everyone here will most likely drive, and that’s not how you build a city. Hopefully, transit is a point of discussion.
“I am all in for density and death to the suburbs, but this one really stands out a bit too tall…”
That is why it is essential for other tall projects nearby to commence immediately.
The height is not really my concern; it’s the lack of other means to get around.
Just like that dumb city planned in the middle of nowhere with no plans to get mass transit to it. Their transportation tab speaks well for wants that can be made around, but it’s all hypothetical wording in the current state. Without concrete names or corridors established, I’m calling it a pipedream.
Cheers to densifying exburbs, but I call this cautious optimism. 5+ stories belong closer to true transit nodes. Expand the VTA Green Line to downtown Los Gatos… then we’re cooking.
There is a bus line right in front of the site that runs downtown and also into San Jose towards Oakridge. Easy enough to increase service on that. There also dedicated (but currently unprotected) bike lanes right out front. There’s nothing about this site that is less connected that the vast majority of old, low sling stop malls and commercial sites around the Santa Clara Valley. That is to say most similar sites in the region are not in close proximity to VTA Light Rail or other rail services, and many also don’t have adjacent bus lines or dedicated bike lanes.
As for the VTA Light Rail green line, it could easily be extended to reach Vasona Junction right near the Netflix HQ, but there no feasible way to get it to downtown LG. The old train that ran from San Jose through LG and through the mountains to Santa Cruz ran on the street through town, which you just aren’t going to replicate with light rail, nor would you want to.