Foster + Partners has unveiled design to transform a former golf course into a new mixed-use development that can be a new world-class destination in the heart of Silicon Valley. 

New renderings, released by Related Companies - who is also developer of the project, show the first phase of the masterplan, which will include a mix of offices, hotels, serviced apartments and residences, bound together by a coherent open space network of shaded streets and squares in total. 

A vibrant masterplan will encompass a 9.2 million square foot area (854,708-square-metre) and create an ambitious environmentally sound masterplan that pioneers several design initiatives to promote wellbeing, sustainability and future mobility solutions.

"The development is the result of a multi-year, forward-thinking public-private partnership with the City of Santa Clara created to transform a municipal golf course into a world-class destination," stated in a press release by Related Companies. 

"Designed to provide dynamic opportunities for residents, visitors, and growing companies, this project will also serve as an economic engine for the larger city and region by creating 25,000 jobs and generating nearly $17 million a year in taxes, fees and lease revenue, in addition to the millions of dollars for schools and transportation improvements."

Santa Clara riverside

Foster + Partners' design will also look to utilize sustainable building materials with the ambition to create a model of urbanism that exceeds the present green building guidelines.

Designed to establish an urban core for Silicon Valley, Foster's design will be "the first large-scale true mixed-use development" in the history of the South Bay area. 

The new masterplan will include 5.4 million square feet (501,676-square-metre) of new commercial office space, 1,280 new residential apartments; 400 extended-stay apartments, 1 million square feet (92,903-square-metre) of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces with chef-driven restaurants, the area’s first Equinox Hotel, and a 440 key business hotel, designed as the most innovative in Silicon Valley. 

Located in a transit-friendly area, the site offers immediate access to major public transportation routes within the VTA rail and bus lines, ACE/Capitol Corridor rail and connections to Caltrain and BART, along with immediate access to Highways 101, 237 and 880. 

Santa Clara street view

The development is also well-served by existing bicycle and pedestrian paths that will be expanded throughout the development ensuring that accessing the new neighborhood is convenient for employees, residents and visitors alike.

Santa Clara town square

"Silicon Valley has always been underpinned by a pioneering spirit of innovation and a desire to make the world a better place," said Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners. 

"Our aspiration is to push the boundaries of design and construction and introduce a model of sustainable urbanism in the valley centered on people. Urban mobility will change dramatically in the coming years and the challenge will be to create a place for people that can adapt to these fundamental changes."

"With an increasing focus on embodied energy, we will also be exploring diverse sustainable building materials with a goal to create the most attractive and exciting place for people to work, live and play," he added.

Santa Clara Market

Foster + Partners uses wooden tapered columns and special structural system for retail units and public spaces. The image show the "global food market" which will be built from angular roof structures and wooden interior. 

Santa Clara Market Dusk

Foster + Partners will serve as the lead design architect for the first phases of the development and collaborate with Gensler as Executive Architect, on all aspects of the project. 

WSP USA will serve as the development’s lead engineering firm on the main infrastructure for the project and Newmark Knight Frank will spearhead the first phases of commercial office leasing. 

View from Business Hotel to Santa Clara Market

"Related’s in-house leasing team will lead the retail, dining and entertainment leasing efforts. Since its introduction in 2013, the project’s development team has held dozens of meetings with the community and completed a thorough environmental review in coordination with local, regional and state government agencies," stated in a press release.

Site preparation work on the first phase of the development is scheduled to begin this month and expected to be completed by the end of the year. 

Santa Clara Office interior 

Santa Clara Aerial West

Santa Clara masterplan

Foundation work and vertical construction is scheduled to begin early next year and the first phases of the development will open to the public in early 2023, bringing online more than one million square feet of commercial office space, two hotels including the area’s first Equinox© Hotel and an innovative business hotel, a globally-inspired food market, and a diverse collection of shops that include both luxury brands and local favorites.

All images courtesy of Related Companies

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