Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this plan submitted to City Council?
A: GPR Ventures has formally submitted plans to the City. All previous discussions and submissions were informal and conceptual prior to November 2023.
Q: What is the benefit to the project and to the neighborhood with the partial closure of Fairmont Ave?
A: GPR is currently authorized to negotiate the purchase of a portion of Fiamront Ave at a fair market value. The portion of Fairmont Ave will be closed to through-traffic and become a walkway plaza ("paseo") to enhance the walkability to shops, restaurants, and housing. The paseo will be wide and provide a light and airy feel.
Q. The previous plans had Gateway Park moving, why are you keeping it?
A: Even though the Precise Plan calls for the relocation of Gateway Park, select influential spokespeople from the community have protested this, despite the Park's lack of utilization and safety.
Q: What is the unit count? Are there 2 projects?

A: There is 1 project on 2 sites. The first (Site 1), located around Gateway Park and has Castro Street frontage, is proposing 140 units. The second (Site 2), located at the corner of Fairmont Ave, Hope Street, and El Camino, is proposing 36 units. In total, there is a total proposed 176 units.

Q: Will the residential units be apartments or condominiums?
A: They are for-sale condos. Retail, office, and commercial spaces are available for tenancy.
Q. What will the architecture look like?
A: The project proposes a mixture of warm/rich materials such as stone, wood siding, wood trellis features for landscaping, raised deck planters include trees and cascading vines. These building materials and landscaping will add warmth and richness to the other proposed contemporary materials of plaster, glass and aluminum canopies. The contemporary accent design features reflect the surrounding office and mixed-use buildings located at the corner of El Camino Real and Castro Street. Unique suspended lighting, arcade wall sconces, and soffit lighting enhanced the pedestrian spaces during nighttime hours. Suspended public art at the Paseo “bridge feature” will create a focal point for pedestrians along the Paseo. 

Design is subject to change.
Q: What is a paseo?

A: A "paseo" is a walkable pathway within the project, similar to a plaza. The main paseo is created by making a portion of Fairmont Avenue - between Castro Street and Hope Street - into a pedestrian street. The paseos also serve as a connection between the residential fabric of the community in the rear of the project to the vibrant downtown urban character of the Castro Street. The paseos are designed to reflect a true city street for pedestrians and bicycles.

The human-scale of the paseo is achieved by introducing architectural details through various building components such as residential porches, canopies, terraces and balconies all along its length. 

Q: What will happen to the Heritage Trees in the area?
A: Our underground parking structure has since changed due to these concerns, especially with the Heritage Trees at Gateway Park. Our underground parking structure has been re-designed to make sure it will have no impact to the trees above. As for the rest, it’s too early to determine at this stage of the development process, however, we value all trees and will make every effort to retain as many as possible.
Q: How will the structures blend in with the surrounding single-family homes in adjacent neighborhoods?
A: Castro Commons was designed to minimize the transitions from our multi-story project to the surrounding neighborhood. The project has been designed like a wedding cake, stepping down from the highest points, furthest away from the single-family neighborhoods to much lesser heights as it approaches the street level. Castro Commons will also act as a sound barrier to the high-traffic Castro Street and El Camino making for much quieter living. Wide pedestrian walkways will be connecting the Old Mountain View neighborhood to Gateway Park and Castro Street.

The Fairmont paseo will be well-lit and have high canopies. All of this will encourage outdoor walking, bicycling, shopping, and dining for the community in a clean and open environment.

The overall architecture may change and vary based on the latest renderings and discussions we have with the City and community. The renderings are indiciate only.
Q. Will there be affordable housing (BMR) units available?
A: Yes, there will be a significant percentage of units allocated to BMR.
Q. Will there be tenant relocation benefits for the residents in the apartments?
A. Yes, we are proactively working to address this.
Q. Does the building go right up to the street?
A: No, there is a sufficient setback.

Castro Commons

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LOCATIONS
Development & Current HQ: 843 Castro St, Mountain View CA
DISCLAIMER:
Disclaimer: This design is preliminary and is subject to change. Conceptual rendering are indicative. This project been submitted to the City of Mountain View. Fairmont Avenue is the property of the City of Mountain View.