Global homebuilder and real estate developer, Landsea Homes, is building its first residential project in the City of Santa Clara. The company recently acquired Catalina from SCS Development Company and could have new homes for sale by next summer.
The 2.3 acre site for Catalina is located on El Camino Real, near the northwestern corner of El Camino Real and Monroe Street. The land parcels that were once used for automotive businesses are now slated to become a series of buildings containing a total of 54 townhouses.
“Santa Clara is strategically located and an incredible city,” said Peter Beucke, Northern California division president for Landsea Homes. “There’s a wealth of high tech employers in the area and that draws people who prioritize a lifestyle where they live close to where they work.”
Beucke lauded City planners for revitalizing and rezoning the El Camino Real corridor saying that the location is extremely important for Santa Clara and its businesses, and that the move demonstrates a forward-thinking vision. He added that just about every builder in the Bay Area seeks opportunities in cities like Santa Clara and that there’s fierce competition to enter the market with projects such as Catalina.
Landsea Homes has already established a significant footprint in Silicon Valley. The company is currently building residential developments in Sunnyvale and Milpitas as well as the East Bay communities of Walnut Creek, Danville and Newark. According to Beucke, the project in Milpitas, known as Sienna, is the most similar to Catalina.
“Santa Clara is one of the most highly desirable markets across the United States, and we are excited about unveiling Catalina to the community,” said Beucke. “The strong reception to our Northern California portfolio by new homebuyers will continue in Santa Clara as we introduce our exceptional planning, unparalleled attention to detail and best-of-class, high-performance homes at Catalina.”
The overall design for Catalina will be close to what was proposed by the original development team, however some modifications may be made to reflect Landsea’s vision. The style is geared to provide the feel of individual homes instead of a boxy multi-unit structure.
Six buildings will each contain nine townhouse units. Eighteen of the 54 residences will be live-work homes to accommodate people who want to conduct business within the living spaces. There are three different unit sizes ranging from 1,600 to 1,930 square feet and each unit is equipped with a two-car garage.
Beucke described Catalina’s strategic location as being one of the project’s greatest strengths. Not only is it in close proximity to Silicon Valley’s major employers, but it’s also situated near transit and open space. Catalina is located across from Civic Center Park and about a mile from the Santa Clara Transit Center. It’s also near Santa Clara University and accessible to the San Jose International Airport in addition to Highway 101 and Interstate 280.
“Catalina’s close proximity to the region’s top tech employers, including Apple, Netflix, Adobe and Nvidia, and numerous transportation options are perfect for new homebuyers,” noted Beucke. “With world-recognized brands and locally treasured shopping and dining located close by, Catalina residents will enjoy a unique lifestyle unmatched in the region.”
Literature from Landsea describes the units as “high-performance,” meaning that they contain competitive amenities with special focus given to kitchen design and appliances as well as bathroom finishes. Beucke said that the design of the units was developed with consideration of the demands of the regional marketplace marked by the presence of many tech companies and Millennials.
The project is located within the El Camino Real Focus Area with the goal of transforming the area “from a series of automobile-oriented strip malls to a tree-lined, pedestrian and transit-oriented corridor with a mix of residential and retail uses.” The project site had been rezoned from Thoroughfare Commercial to Planned Development in order to allow for the townhomes.
Work has already begun on the site with former structures demolished and grading expected to commence in the coming weeks. Improvements to the land will begin in November or December with construction of the homes slated for the first quarter of 2019. Unit sales should begin next June.
Your map is incorrect. Above the planned development you have a rectangular building labeled “Senior Living Facility.” It is not. It is an apartment complex called Priya Living at 1375 Civic Center Drive. I know. I used to live there. Just ordinary folks, not a Senior Living Facility.