749 W El Camino Real
In Design
749 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040
Project Overview
• Project Type: Market-rate & affordable
• Owner/Developer: Greystar
• Presented to our members: May 2025
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749 W El Camino Real Project Scorecard
749 W. El Camino Real Avenue is a proposal by Greystar for a six-story, 299-unit, mixed-use development on a 3.1-acre site at the corner of El Camino and Castro in Mountain View. The project will feature approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, including retail and restaurant uses. It will also include 344 parking spaces in a two-level underground garage, with additional ground-floor parking dedicated to retail and banking uses. Bicycle storage is provided by 329 residential long-term and 30 residential short-term spaces, as well as a ground-level bike storage room for visitors and employees.
749 W El Camino Real scored an overall 5 out of 5 from our Project Advocacy Committee members.
Community Score: 5/5
Our members thank Greystar for going above and beyond in their community engagement efforts. The developer held multiple community meetings and met with various community groups, including the Mountain View Coalition for Sustainable Planning, the Mountain View Historical Association, Livable Mountain View, the Cuesta Park Neighborhood Association, and the Victorway neighbors. We are especially grateful that Greystar has engaged with citywide organizations that are addressing regional issues. These meetings and discussions with community members resulted in significant material changes to the project based on collected feedback. One example of this is the Cuesta Park Neighborhood Association, whose members suggested installing automatic gates at garage access points to slow down cars and force drivers to be more considerate when crossing pedestrian spaces. This is a novel suggestion, and we are glad it met the ears of a developer as receptive as Greystar. If we had one suggestion here, it would be to engage underrepresented voices like potential future residents of the affordable units planned for this project. Finally, we want to praise Dan from Greystar for his in-depth knowledge of his company’s project; we have rarely, if ever, seen developers exhibit such expertise about all the details of their projects.
Vibrancy Score: 5/5
Our members believe Greystar's design for 749 W El Camino Real will create a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere. The proposal features an activated ground floor with approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space for retail and restaurants, as well as lobbies, co-working spaces, and fitness rooms along Castro Street and El Camino Real. How refreshing to see a developer continue to commit to ground-floor activation, including both retail and a restaurant. These residential and commercial amenities wrap around a publicly accessible plaza facing El Camino Real, creating a space that feels both inviting and secure. The plaza is also designed to integrate with a new VTA bus island and stop, making it a truly multi-modal space.
Transportation Score: 5/5
We give the project high praise for its strong focus on sustainable transportation measures. In addition to the new bus island, the project proposes a range of amenities that cater to various transportation modes. The project features extensive bike parking, including 329 residential long-term and 30 residential short-term spaces, as well as a ground-level bike storage room for visitors and employees. Cyclists should feel more comfortable accessing the site on account of the proposed Class IV protected bike lane along El Camino Real. The proposal will also enhance the pedestrian experience through various traffic safety features, including gates at driveways, one-way alley traffic, calming devices, some underground parking, and a five-year funding commitment for a crossing guard at Lane Avenue. The decision to include many of these traffic control features was the result of extensive community feedback and demonstrates the importance of community input in designing multi-modal, transit-friendly spaces. Although this project scored a top score, our members almost always recommend transit-oriented sites like this one include transit passes for residents, an especially important benefit for residents of the affordable units who are more likely to rely on transit.
Intensity/Zoning Score: 5/5
The project proposes 299 units in a six-story building with a 3.05 Floor Area Ratio (FAR), which exceeds the maximum FAR of 2.3 set by the site's current designation as a "Village Center" under the El Camino Real Precise Plan. In order to exceed Mountain View's imposed limitations, the developer is utilizing the State Density Bonus Law to secure waivers for height and setback requirements. Without such waivers, Mountain View's restrictive zoning would make the proposed 749 W El Camino Real project impossible to build. Our members applaud Greystar for their commitment to building as many new homes as possible.
Sustainability Score: 5/5
749 W El Camino Real incorporates several commendable green building features. The project is designed as an all-electric building, and the developer has committed to a minimum of Gold-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program. The proposal includes rooftop solar panels and 15% EV charging stations on day one, with pre-wiring for all parking stalls. Ecological benefits include the preservation of 9 mature redwood trees along the back of the site, serving as a buffer for existing apartment buildings. Members particularly appreciated the incorporation of native and drought-tolerant landscaping, as well as plants like milkweed, which are attractive to monarch butterflies. As a model for other Mountain View developments, as well as those in Silicon Valley generally, we would welcome seeing the developer pursue LEED Platinum.
Affordability Score: 5/5
The proposal includes 33 on-site deed-restricted affordable units split between low-income and very low-income households. Notably, the vast majority of these affordable units are designated for very low-income households—those earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)—which is a significant effort from a market-rate developer and, in the experience of our members, uncommon for projects of this type. The project's dedication to providing housing for those who need it most was a key factor in its high score. We also recognize the developer for bringing back the existing business on the site to the new developer; this is yet another example of the developer going above and beyond to create a development that looks both forward and back.
Legacy Score: 5/5
While not relevant to most projects reviewed by our members, this category was highly applicable to 749 W El Camino Real due to the extensive effort made to preserve significant cultural and historic elements. The developer is taking the time to restore and reinstall four key artworks from the existing Chase Bank building. These include a mosaic mural, a canvas mural, a bronze sculpture, and a stained glass window. Importantly, all of these art pieces will be accessible to the public in some form, allowing all to enjoy a piece of Mountain View's cultural heritage and public art. Additionally, the developer worked with community groups to determine the best approach for preserving these elements, once again demonstrating the importance of quality community engagement.