Downtown Sunnyvale Revitalization Gets Desperately Needed Kickstart
by Steve Leung | Contact Steve Leung w/ Questions
Revitalization of Sunnyvale's downtown area has been an on again, off again, on again, but mostly off again scenario, and the centerpiece of downtown Sunnyvale, the Town Center mall, has been closed for quite a while with the exception of the Macy's and Target anchor stores.
Sunnyvale has a suburban image, and while it's consistently one of the safest cities in America and has easy access to 101, 280, 85, and the San Jose Airport, a revitalization of its downtown area could do a lot to cement its place as a must-live destination in the Heart of Silicon Valley. But they're going to have to blow up the Target to do it…
New Developer, Better Chances
Finally, after years of delays by the Georgia-based Forum Development Group, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reports today, the project to revitalize downtown Sunnyvale has been sold to a new developer who has more political sway with the local council, San Mateo's Sand Hill Property.
Their experience includes Bridgepointe Mall in San Mateo and Tree Farm in Los Altos, and while the San Jose Mercury News reports that the Sunnyvale plan is far more complex than those projects, the Sunnyvale council has allowed Sandhill to explore a 200 room hotel — something the previous developer couldn't get on the table.
The project is planned to be a mixed-use development with condominiums, restaurants, and office space. How similar it is to the open and walkable Santana Row or Pruneyard remains to be seen, but under the new plan, almost all of the existing mall would be demolished, including the Target. It will be replaced by a new Target which will be larger by almost 30,000 square feet.
(c) Steve Leung
Related Reading:
- Demolition of Sunnyvale Town Center Mall Approved
- Goodbye Vallco, Hello Cupertino Square
- Top Silicon Valley Computer Stores
- Walking Tours and Hiking Trails Galore
- Top Silicon Valley Shopping Malls
- Top Silicon Valley Driving Ranges
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February 07, 2007 | Filed under: Activities, Bay Area Info, Silicon Valley News, Sunnyvale
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We’re crossing our fingers… We’ve been waiting for them to “finish” this project since we moved in back in 2002.
By the way, I’m one of the editors on the Topix.com Sunnyvale news page, and picked your blog as our “Local Blog Spotlight” this week. You can check it out the post here:
http://www.topix.net/city/sunnyvale-ca
http://www.topix.net/city/sunnyvale-ca/2007/05/local-blog-spotlight-silicon-valley-real-estate-blog
Keep up the great posts!
PS. Have you written anything about strategies for homeowners in transition (i.e. selling existing and buying a new one simultaneously)? I’d be interested in learning any tips you have about timing, etc.
Hi Blake,
Thanks for your comments and the Editor’s Choice. I’m glad you like the content and hopefully you’ll stop by often.
I was at a City Council meeting where the new developer for downtown Sunnyvale laid out his plans. The Council expressed public support and cooperation. Evidently the new developer has been much more receptive to the Council’s feedback so I’m more enthusiastic about this round of development. That and they already demolished the old parking structure!
I haven’t written anything on selling and buying simultaneously but that sounds like a great article idea and I’ll put something together for late next week or early the week after.
Thanks again!
Steve
I hadn’t heard what the city planners were going to do with the old Sunnyvale Town Center. So no replacement mall? I guess Sunnyvale denizens can always head on over to the remodeled Cupertino Square once it’s finished. I can’t picture how more restaurants, condos and office buildings will fit into the surrounding area. But maybe it will bring more life to the wonderful Murphy Street. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens! And I hope it’s nothing but great for the city.