Santa Clara Targets Area by Levi’s Stadium for Urban Village

Santa Clara is trying to turn a 45-acre industrial district near Levi’s Stadium into a walkable village of at least 7,500 homes.

The Silicon Valley city, home of such tech giants as Intel and Nvidia, wants to redevelop the Clara District to accommodate its growing workforce and address its acute housing shortage, the Silicon Valley Business Journal reported.

At the center are two apartment towers with more than 1,000 units developed by Irvine-based Related California. The 23-story Clara at 5150 Calle Del Sol, targets working professionals. The 22-story Ellore at 2350 Calle De Luna, targets seniors.

City planners envision the redeveloped Clara District as a blueprint for urban living in a region characterized by urban sprawl and cars — with seven apartment buildings slated to open within the next six months, nearly 2,000 units under construction and 4,500 approved homes in the pipeline.

To boost accessibility, Related California has committed $12 million to affordable housing, while also planning to build shops and restaurants.

Silicon Valley Power is investing $400 million in upgrades, including substations and battery systems to support new housing and data centers.

Additionally, the VTA’s SmartPass program, offering discounted transit passes to affordable housing residents, aims to increase public transit ridership and support accessibility throughout the area.

The Clara District is more than just a new neighborhood: it’s a test of public planning and infrastructure to see whether they can keep pace with private development.

If successful, the Clara District could become a new model for balancing housing, open space, and transit across Silicon Valley, according to the Business Journal. Key to its success is its commitment to transit-oriented development.

By prioritizing public transportation access and reducing dependence on cars, city planners hope to create a more livable, interconnected community. The district will feature mixed-use developments, integrating homes, offices and more within walking distance of trains and buses.

This transformation comes at a crucial time as the city grapples with housing challenges common across the Bay Area.

The push for dense, transit-friendly neighborhoods reflects broader regional efforts to accommodate Silicon Valley’s growing population while reducing environmental impacts associated with long commutes and traffic congestion.

By blending urban density with thoughtful infrastructure, Santa Clara is taking a bold step toward redefining its identity, addressing the housing crisis and maintaining its role as a tech industry hub.

— Dana Bartholomew