Challenge:

• To sustainably redevelop a 700-acre contaminated infill site, located between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley.
• The site is in two separate jurisdictions. Both San Francisco and Brisbane have approval rights over part of the project, requiring two separate entitlements and CEQA processes.
• Site requires over $800M in remediation and infrastructure
• This market has the highest construction cost in the US
• Most difficult entitlement environment in the US
• Must create its own power source
• Must secure independent water rights
• Negotiate an Eminent Domain proceeding with the California High Speed Rail Authority.

Solution:

• Create a 15 min City to solve the entitlement challenges and to create the Unique Selling Proposition for marketing.
• Generate or store 100% of energy on-site
• Create a mixed-use hub surrounding transit and create a walkable environment.
• Use scale to your advantage and weave parks and open space throughout the development.
• Capitalize on the regional housing crises to drive entitlement approval.
• Vary the residential densities to drive absorption and not overwhelm the market with any one product type.
• Create different office/lab environments to drive absorption and be able to adapt to a constantly evolving market.
• Negotiate grants and subsidies to offset infrastructure costs.

Outcome:

• Full entitlements received for 1700 residential units in San Francisco
• General Plan approval for 2200 residential units plus 7msf of commercial in the city of Brisbane.
• Remedial Action Plan approved for 700-acre cleanup
• Co-development agreement negotiated with CHSRA
• DEIR published
• Full entitlements expected Q2 2026