What had formerly been known as CityPlace Santa Clara has reemerged as Related Santa Clara, now that lawsuits between San Jose and Santa Clara over the project have been settled. Site work will soon begin for the major mixed-use project that’s set to occupy 240 acres in North Santa Clara near Levi’s Stadium on the site of the underutilized municipal golf course at 5155 Stars and Stripes Drive. The project was created under a public-private partnership between the City and developer, Related Companies that’s working with architect Foster + Partners. The plans show a project totaling 9.2 million square feet, aimed at creating a vibrant area close to transit that will create 25,000 jobs and generate $17 million per year in taxes, fees and lease revenue.
“More than five decades ago, a vision was born to bring an unrivalled convention and entertainment destination to north Santa Clara,” said Santa Clara Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor. “Now, we are on the cusp of untapping the potential of land that was once a landfill into one of the largest retail and entertainment projects in the United States. This development will not only bring economic growth to Santa Clara and the entire Silicon Valley region, but it will also create a one-of-a-kind, mixed-use destination for present and future generations to enjoy.”
A “world-class destination” is what’s been envisioned by the City and Related for the former golf course, through a diverse mix of uses including 5.4 million square feet of commercial office space, 1,280 apartments, 400 extended-stay apartments, one million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces, and a 440-key business hotel. Location is key to the vision as the project is located along major public transportation routes within the VTA rail and bus lines, ACE/Capitol Corridor rail with connections to Caltrain and BART, along with access to Highways 101, 237 and 880.
Vertical construction is slated to begin in early 2020. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2023.
“Mayor Gillmor and the City of Santa Clara have shown bold foresight and been tremendous partners in shaping a plan for the future growth of Santa Clara,” said Related Chairman and Founder Stephen M. Ross. “This 240-acre redevelopment represents one of the most ambitious and transformative opportunities in the area’s history. The commercial offerings were designed for visionary companies who demand a globally competitive work place with innovative, sustainable design and outstanding amenities to attract and retain a talented workforce.”
In 2016, San Jose filed a lawsuit against Santa Clara over the project saying that the office space was disproportionate to the amount of housing planned, and would further tighten nearby San Jose’s housing supply and result in more gridlock. In return, Santa Clara sued San Jose over its Santana Row office expansion project. Last year both projects got the green light in a settlement that requires both cities to fund more transit for the areas.
The office component of Related Santa Clara is ambitious. Of the total 5.4 million square feet of commercial office offered, 300,000 square feet is designed as urban-loft office headquarters for “innovative” companies. Another 430,000 square feet will be corporate headquarters on Tasman Drive. A stretch along Great America Parkway will get 750,000 square feet of customizable offices. Down the road in later construction phases, four million square feet of customizable corporate campuses will be delivered on the eastern side along Lafayette Street.
“Great urban developments define regions and bring people together from near and far,” said Kenneth A. Himmel, President and CEO of Related Urban, the mixed-use division of Related Companies.
“As the first true mixed-use urban development of scale to come to the Bay Area, Related’s Santa Clara development will bring next generation office, hotels, and residences together with beautifully landscaped open public spaces, world-class dining, shopping and entertainment offerings,” continued Himmel. “We are creating a new paradigm for how people and companies will work, as well as live and enjoy time with friends and family in Northern California.”
People do not want to live in a toxic garbage dump! They also do not want massive sprawl. It will ruin everyones lives.