MENLO PARK, CA, March 23, 2016 — Construction began today for Menlo Gateway, a long-awaited, 16-acre mixed-use development in Menlo Park, Calif. that will transform a dated industrial park into a vibrant urban center. The first phase of the project includes an eight-story office building, an 11-story Marriott Autograph Collection® hotel, outdoor event facilities, and a state-of-the-art Bay Club fitness facility. The project, located east of Highway 101 near Marsh Rd., reasserts Menlo Park’s role as a cornerstone of intellectual property, venture capital, and technology innovation.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Menlo Gateway has begun to take shape thanks to the collective efforts of the Bohannon Development Company, the City of Menlo Park, and our partners,” said David Bohannon, senior vice president of Bohannon Development, the project’s developer. “Together, we’ve embarked on an exciting new chapter for Menlo Park and the surrounding area. The end result will reconfirm Menlo Park’s position at the historic heart of Silicon Valley innovation and, at the same time, transform this industrial neighborhood into a vibrant environment for people and business.”
Ideally situated by San Francisco Bay between San Jose to the south and San Francisco to the north, Menlo Gateway will provide a home for technology innovation and knowledge businesses. Phase I of Menlo Gateway includes construction of an eight-story, 200,000 sq. ft. office building with easy access to Highway 101; a luxury lifestyle Autograph Collection hotel; and a 40,000 sq. ft. Bay Club fitness center and cafe. Spacious grounds include four acres of open space, with grass, shaded walkways, plazas, and extensive pedestrian paths and bike lanes.
The Menlo Gateway office buildings feature iconic architecture by Heller Manus Architects, an internationally recognized San Francisco-based architecture and urban design firm. Buildings will feature floor-to-ceiling views of the Bay and surrounding foothills, as well as open, collaborative workspaces, and an outdoor terrace. The buildings are targeted to achieve LEED Gold certification for environmental sustainability.
Office leasing is managed by the dominant San Francisco Bay Area brokerage Newmark Cornish and Careywhich is a part of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, a leading global advisory firm.
The Autograph Collection hotel, which also broke ground today, is a full-service, four-star hotel inspired by the culture of innovation in Silicon Valley. It will feature 250 guest rooms, lushly landscaped courtyards and gardens, an exceptional food and beverage experience, and 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space—including a ballroom, an executive boardroom with a terrace, and an event lawn. The hotel, a joint venture of Ensemble Real Estate Investments and AECOM Capital Partners, is expected to open for business in late 2017. Minneapolis-based Cuningham Group Architecture has been selected as the project architect, and McCartan Interior Design, based in New York, is providing interior design services.
“AECOM Capital and Ensemble Real Estate Investments are pleased to step forward with Bohannon Development on this iconic project,” said Brian Ehrlich, chief investment officer at Ensemble Real Estate Investments. “The Autograph Collection hotel creates a bold signature for Menlo Gateway, complementing Menlo Park’s revitalization initiatives with an exciting original project that confirms the area’s preeminence in innovation and forward thinking.”
The Bay Club fitness center, adjacent to the hotel, will provide a state-of-the-art active lifestyle facility. The Bay Club, a California-based fitness and hospitality corporation, offers 24 modern “everyday resorts” on 10 campuses located throughout California. Headquartered in San Francisco, the Bay Club will also operate Café Vida, an on-site healthy gourmet restaurant featuring a Cal/Mex-inspired menu served in a relaxed environment with indoor and outdoor seating.
Phase II of Menlo Gateway will include two additional office buildings totaling 500,000 sq. ft. and distinguished by a signature curving trellis that provides a strong visual connection. Each office building includes an accompanying parking structure along Bayfront Expressway. Together, Phase I and Phase II will transform the public face of Menlo Park while creating a distinctive gateway to Silicon Valley.
