Separate developers are collaborating on two projects next to one another on Kifer Road in Sunnyvale.
A mixed-use development with 520 apartments and retail as well as a redevelopment of next door Intuitive Surgical are in the works. The city planning commission held a study session Aug. 22 where both projects were presented.
The mixed-use property is owned by Greystar Real Estate Partners and will be at 1120 Kifer Road. The group is working with the team next door at Intuitive Surgical, 1050 Kifer Road, on connecting both projects. Intuitive Surgical manufactures robotic surgical systems.
The plan for Intuitive Surgical’s property is to transform a large asphalt parking lot area and one existing company building into two, 300,000-square-foot buildings and a six-story parking structure. Outdoor space with meeting places, dining, a basketball court and a bocce ball court for employees are also proposed.
Both projects will work to preserve existing trees, especially redwood trees that act as buffers around the properties. The projects will share an emergency vehicle access road and both applicants are working together to build pedestrian and bicycle paths connecting the projects.
A pedestrian path will be built along Kifer Road, allowing access to a bus stop. A bike path would link the area to Lawrence Caltrain Station on Sonora Court.
Construction on the Intuitive Surgical project will be done in phases.
Chek F. Tang, president of Studio T-Square, an architecture and urban design planning company, presented the Greystar mixed-use project to the commission. The 8-acre property is slated to include 7,400 square feet of retail and 520 apartment units which will have studios and 1-2 bedroom layouts.
Tang said units would range in size from 600 to 1,250 square feet. The property will include a publicly accessible park.
“One thing that’s important is that as you come through this street you feel a sense of relief, it’s a place where you would pause and not just a place you transit through,” said Tang of the Greystar plans.
Planning commissioners were supportive of the two projects and the cooperation of two applicants working together.
“There’s a lot to like about this. I like that there are two projects coming together at the same time with a lot of cooperation. I wanted to ask you guys to continue to work together because this is bringing a lot of synergistic good stuff to the table,” said Commissioner Russell Melton.
There is no date yet for when the projects will return to the planning commission or city council for further study or review.
