Meeting Scheduled Tomorrow for Housing Development at 3606 El Camino Real in Palo Alto

A new seven-story residential development is currently proposed at 3606 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. The project is brought by Sares Regis Group with plans to provide a combination of affordable and market-rate units to the site. A meeting of Palo Alto’s Architectural Review Board will discuss the project tomorrow at 8:30 am to determine if the project moves forward.

Plans for the project were first reported on by SF YIMBY in February 2024. Since then, the basic site proposal has not significantly changed. However, BDE architecture has updated renderings and exterior designs for the project. Meanwhile, the total number of units has been reduced from 335 to 321.

Now the 84-foot-tall structure will yield over half a million square feet, with 282,530 square feet set aside for the 321 apartments, with additional space for private courtyards, building services, and parking.

Apartment sizes will vary, with 54 studios, 109 one-bedrooms, 119 two-bedrooms, and 39 three-bedrooms. 13% of the units are to be designated as affordable. This has allowed the developer to use the Builder’s Remedy and Senate Bill 330 to streamline the approval process.

3606 El Camino Real Sample Unit Plans, image by BDE Architecture

3606 El Camino Real Additional Unit Plans, image by BDE Architecture

BDE Architecture is responsible for the design. The podium-style complex will consist of a two-story concrete frame podium for parking and five wood-frame floors of housing. The articulated exterior will primarily consist of a neutral tone stucco finish, with inset areas for balconies.

3606 El Camino Real Alternative Rendering, image by BDE Architecture

Guzzardo Partnership is responsible for landscape architecture. The team is responsible for designing the sidewalk improvements, a backyard near Matadero Avenue, and podium-top courtyards.

3606 El Camino Real Internal Courtyard Plans, image via BDE Architecture and The Guzzardo Partnership

The 2.6-acre property is currently comprised of seven parcels. Between these, the area consists of both commercial space and 38 residential units. All existing structures will be demolished to clear the site.

The project will rise over the El Camino Real thoroughfare between Kendall Avenue and Matadero Avenue. Future residents will be able to reach the city’s California Avenue Caltrain Station by bicycle in seven minutes or 15 minutes via bus. For vehicle commuters, the building will provide 396 parking spaces.

Information on how to join or view the meeting can be found here.

3606 El Camino Real Site Location, Image via BDE Architecture

3606 El Camino Real Aerial Site View, image via BDE Architecture

Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail

Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews