The Sunnyvale Sun

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Sand Hill expects interest in downtown residences

The Sunnyvale Town Center redevelopment is moving along smoothly, project managers say.

"Things have fallen a little out of sequence, but we're still on schedule to finish everything we've committed [to]," said Tom Consunji, Sand Hill Property Company's operations manager, adding that the success is thanks to intensive communication with city staff and the public.

As wood-framed, five-story residential buildings are build atop concrete podiums of the first two buildings to go up, the project's residential director, Kelly Snider, said she's pleased that she has heard some interest before they're even built.

"I don't think this is going to be competitive. I mean, who else is building 200 houses right now?" she said, referring to the fact that residential construction is expected to dip significantly in the city in the coming year and the housing market is slow.

When the Sun toured the project site on May 19, the mass of the structures began to indicate just how substantial a downtown Sunnyvale will have when they are finished.

Snider, who also worked on Santana Row, hopes the urban feel with the Caltrain station nearby will be a magnet for a specific segment of Silicon Valley homebuyers.

"We call it lock and go," she said, meaning the buildings are full service with secure parking and no lawn to mow, something that could be right for "people who want to be close to the action."

She can't discuss prices for the condos yet because of state regulations, but she plans to put up signs and a website by June with some details.

Sand Hill Property owner Peter Pau and the Town Center project manager were in Las Vegas in mid-May courting tenants and closing some deals at the International Council of Shopping Centers' RECon (Global Retail Real Estate Convention).

The developer has not announced any of the retail tenants that will occupy the cavernous spaces below the residential buildings.