The Acacia is a beautiful educator housing project located in a mixed use neighborhood, two blocks from a downtown with major train station. The building occupies half of a block, which was previously a single story office building on an asphalt parking lot. 110 new homes (24 studio, 61 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom apartments) are now situated within walking distance of services, shopping, restaurants, cafes and one of the largest Sunday farmers markets on the peninsula.

Careful site design preserved some existing trees, including a palm and some redwoods. At the street level, three public plazas welcome both residents, neighbors and visitors, while at the second floor podium level, three private courtyards offer a range of open spaces to the residents. The five ground floor units have porches and other active ground floor uses include a resident community room, property management offices and a community flex space.

The Acacia was completed at Van Meter Williams Pollack (VMWP), with Mercy Housing and Abode Communities, in partnership with County of Santa Clara.

Renderings by VMWP. Photography by Keith Baker.