A major housing development in Sunnyvale is one step closer to transforming a familiar corner of El Camino Real. The city’s planning commission voted unanimously to allow De Anza Properties and landowners to adjust their approved 111 home project, shifting the mix from apartments to a combination of owned condominiums and rental units. The project, located at 1104 and 1124 West El Camino Real, will bring significant residential and commercial space to a site that has been home to car sales since the 1960s.
Originally approved in 2024, the plans called for 111 apartments. However, the developer returned to the planning commission this week to request changes in response to financing constraints. The revised design now envisions approximately 85 condominiums for sale alongside 25 rental apartments. The 3.56 acre site will feature a 7 story building with more than 31,000 square feet of commercial space, adding a mixed use element to the busy corridor.
In addition to the larger building, the development will include five single family homes. To make way for the new housing, 25,232 square feet of existing commercial structures will be demolished, including the auto dealership currently operating there. City planners see the project as part of a long term vision for El Camino Real under the 2022 specific plan, which anticipates redevelopment along the thoroughfare over the next two to three decades.
Commissioners praised the project for its blend of ownership and rental opportunities, with Vice Chair Neela Shukla noting the significance of having a development that balances both. She described the initiative as a model for future projects, saying that diversifying housing options is key for Sunnyvale residents. While there is potential for the remaining apartments to eventually be converted into condominiums, Shukla said the current structure is already an important step in broadening the city’s housing mix.
De Anza Properties has also applied to pay an in lieu fee to the city’s Housing and Mitigation Fund rather than meeting the requirement of making 15 percent of the project affordable housing. If approved by the City Council, the developer would contribute approximately $17 million to the fund. City officials report that the fund currently contains $30 million, which is dedicated to advancing affordable housing initiatives in Sunnyvale.
For John Vidovich, the head of De Anza Properties, the changes are crucial to ensuring the project’s financial feasibility. He acknowledged the long timeline of the development and expressed eagerness to finally move forward after years of planning. Vidovich said that the condominiums are designed with families in mind, and he hopes they will meet a critical need in the community.
The site’s history adds to the symbolic nature of the project. Since 1964, the land has been home to both new and used car dealerships. Its transformation into a residential and commercial complex marks a new chapter for the area and contributes to Sunnyvale’s broader housing strategy. Under state housing mandates, the city must construct nearly 12,000 new homes by 2031, including more than 6,700 affordable units. Projects like the El Camino Real development are seen as vital contributions to meeting those ambitious goals.
City leaders and residents alike are watching the progress of this development closely. Beyond its immediate impact, the project represents how Sunnyvale is balancing growth, community needs, and long term planning. If approved by the City Council, the combination of new housing options and commercial space will reshape a high visibility corner of the city and serve as a model for future redevelopment efforts along El Camino Real.
