Three major construction projects are making progress in the downtown Sunnyvale area, as the city's urban core evolution moves another step closer to its goals. The Mercury News reported today that these developments, part of the emerging Cityline neighborhood, are entering the "topping off" phase which means the buildings are very close to completion. They will include a residential tower and two office buildings located next to Sunnyvale’s traditional downtown.
The Cityline mixed-use project, situated three blocks from the Sunnyvale Caltrain station, is the result of a collaboration between real estate firms Hunter Properties and Sares Regis Group of Northern California.
Amid uncertainties about the return to office work in the ongoing pandemic, the mixed-use design of Cityline is expected to provide ideal live, work, and play opportunities for residents. The Martin, a 479-unit, 12-story residential highrise, has joined the initial two housing developments that have brought around 300 housing units to Sunnyvale's downtown area, contributing to a vibrant street scene, complemented by 29,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, as per The Mercury News article.
Moreover, on-site amenities at the housing tower include state-of-the-art fitness centers, sky lounge, rooftop deck, pool and spa, and an outdoor club-level deck. These new projects align with other local developments addressing housing demand, such as the 50+ townhomes project at 166 East Fremont Avenue in Sunnyvale, breaking ground on its site, as shared by SFYIMBY back in February.
"The project is comprised of two buildings with ground-level restaurant and retail uses which will be oriented around a major privately-owned publicly accessible open space plaza with 5 existing heritage redwood trees integrated into the design. Above this will be 464 residential units with 12 levels for each building," per architect Heller Manus' website. The residential parking is located in two basement levels under the buildings providing 469 spaces. A monumental gateway entry portal between the two buildings provides pedestrian access from the Sunnyvale Caltrain station to the open space plaza. A new mid-block street on the north will be used to access the parking along with servicing the retail, restaurant, and residential uses. These residences will have views of the Santa Cruz mountains to the south, the San Francisco Bay to the north, and the new buildings will be an iconic part of the new Downtown Sunnyvale.
The flexible and innovative nature of Cityline's residential and office spaces reflects the new realities of a hybrid workplace model, with individuals working from home one or two days a week, according to Jeff Smith, director of development for Sares Regis Group of Northern California. To this end, Cityline has strategically placed homes near office buildings to cater to both living and working demands.
Josh Rupert, director of development for Hunter Partners, noted the importance of designing offices in the current climate with outdoor spaces, encouraging people to step outside their workspace. Each of Cityline's two under-construction office buildings offers 280,000 square feet of an office, flexible space, and retail designs, totaling 560,000 square feet, embodying the office designs of the future.
This progress in Sunnyvale's downtown area coincides with other housing developments in nearby locations such as San Jose. The San Jose Planning Commission is set to consider a plan for over 800 homes and commercial space near the Berryessa BART station, as reported by the San José Spotlight today, as well.
These multiple developments align with city leaders' vision of denser housing and commercial environments, nurturing mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods known as urban villages. As construction moves forward in downtown Sunnyvale, the completion of these new projects will significantly contribute to urban planning, offering more opportunities for residents to live, work, and engage within a dynamic community, and adapt to current housing and workplace demands.
