Walnut Hill Capital Plans to Convert Santa Clara Industrial Building to 284 New Apartments

Walnut Hill Capital, led by Albert Hwang and Jimmy Park, intends to demolish a 42,800-square-foot industrial building in Santa Clara and replace it with a residential complex consisting of 284 apartments.

Project Details

The proposed eight-story multifamily complex, designed by BAR Architects & Interiors and developed by KASA Partners, includes a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Additionally, plans feature a half-acre public park to enhance the community space.

Property Acquisition and Design Features

Walnut Hill Capital, also known as Walnut Hill Group, purchased the 2.8-acre property in 2020 for $16.7 million from the Sobrato Organization. The industrial building slated for demolition currently houses California Eastern Laboratories, a semiconductor manufacturer. Renderings depict the future complex with floor-to-ceiling windows, exterior balconies, and a corner terrace adorned with a trellis on the top floor.

Compliance with City Regulations

The proposed complex, with a maximum height of 85 feet, adheres to the City of Santa Clara's regulations, which cap building heights at 12 stories or 160 feet in the area.

City Redevelopment Plans

The city aims to transform the 74-acre office and industrial zone, bordered by Calabazas Creek, Mission Community College, Great America Parkway, and the Hetch Hetchy right of way, into a mixed-use, residential neighborhood. Outdated office buildings from the 1970s and 1980s are targeted for revitalization. Two proposed plans envision a mix of residential, commercial, and community spaces, with variations in the number of homes and office square footage.