To Spur Development in Transit Corridors, This Caltrain Station May Get Two Seven-Story Buildings

The Lawrence Caltrain station in Sunnyvale may get two new residential buildings, with almost 300 housing units as well as offices, planted near the tracks. 

SKS Partners proposed the two buildings at 1154 and 1170 Sonora Court earlier this year to bring a combined total of 277 apartments atop commercial space and parking spots, including bicycle parking. 

The two buildings are part of Sunnyvale’s Lawrence Station Area Plan to develop the area into a walkable commute that would encourage higher Caltrain ridership. It was expected to allow another 3,500 homes and 3.6 million square feet of commercial space. 

Santa Clara County approved a 176-unit affordable housing building developed by MidPen Housing last July as part of the plan. 

San Francisco is also looking to develop 20 acres at Fourth and King streets into a transit-oriented neighborhood with housing, offices and public spaces in addition to a new rail station. 

If approved, 1154 Sonora Court will contain four stories of rental homes containing 172 units, with 28 units being affordable. Though it is unclear which units will be affordable, the building would contain a mix of studios and one- and two bedroom units.

The project would replace a one-story building and parking lot, while retaining the redwood and cedar trees in the area. It would come with two stories of underground parking with 352 spots. 

As seen in the renderings by WRNS Studio, the middle court design contains a pool adjacent to the Caltrain tracks. 

The other building, 1170 Sonora Court, would contain 105 units, including 16 priced below market rate. The parking level will include two electric-vehicle charging stations and a bike repair station.  

As of July, Caltrain ridership was at 24% of its pre-pandemic ridership levels and continues to lag behind other regional transit agencies now facing a fiscal cliff. The Sunnyvale project’s cost and timeline have not yet been publicized.