7 Topgolf Drive
In Design
7 Topgolf Dr, San Jose, CA 95002
Project Overview
• Project Type: 100% Affordable
• Owner/Developer: LH Housing
• Presented to our members: July 2024
External Links
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7 Topgolf Drive Project Scorecard
LH Housing’s 7 Topgolf Drive proposes eight seven-story buildings on a currently open 3.24-acre site in San Jose’s Alviso neighborhood. Combined, the eight buildings provide 780 units split between studios and one-bedroom layouts, resulting in a residential density of roughly 240 dwelling units per acre. 100% of these units are affordable to households making 80% of the area median income (AMI). The project allocates parking for 290 cars and space for up to 650 bicycles. Apart from the residential component, plans include a 16,000-square-foot commercial space on the corner of the property. The entire project is privately financed, and the developer attributes part of the reason for this to the prefabricated modular construction techniques used to manufacture the individual units.
7 Topgolf Drive scored an overall 4 out of 5 from our Project Advocacy Committee members.
Community Score: 3/5
Our members were grateful to hear we are among the first organizations the development team has met with since launching their project. From what we and our members understand, the developer is very early in the outreach process and has yet to hold any other community meetings. The developer discussed plans for future engagement opportunities, but members were ultimately split on whether or not to score 7 Topgolf Drive in our Community category. Some thought it was too early to say, and others thought the developer's intentions are a step in the right direction. Nonetheless, our members provided several recommendations and suggestions. Given that the area around Topgolf, primarily consisting of light-industrial and open-space land, is less developed compared to other infill sites, the primary focus should be on reaching out to residents of the clustered Alviso neighborhood. Additionally, the team should continue to engage one-on-one with the ownership of the Topgolf venue.
Vibrancy Score: 4/5
7 Topgolf Drive is positioned to energize the Alviso area with 16,000 square feet of new shops and active spaces for residents and visitors alike. The density of homes in the area is relatively low, making it harder to justify commercial endeavors, so our members commend the developer for including a commercial component with the project. However, our members note that 16,000 square feet is relatively modest in the world of retail. They encourage the developer to carefully consider potential tenants to maximize 7 Topgolf Drive's vibrancy. One stand-out option suggested by the developer that excites our members is a grocery store. Our members note that the proposed retail square footage is small and below the norm of traditional grocery stores. We recommend the developer look at emerging trends of smaller grocery stores with innovative new models expanding in the US. Aside from retail, members also appreciate the inclusion of small greenspaces and highlight the importance of ensuring these spaces are designed for people to do more than just look at them.
Transportation Score: 4/5
7 Topgolf Drive is not located in a transit-rich area. The only VTA bus route in the project's proximity, the 59, has 30-minute weekday and 45-minute weekend overheads. Our members hope that improved transportation infrastructure will follow and are glad to hear the developer is already talking to VTA about the possibility of expanded bus routes. Just south of the project, residents will have easy access to the Guadalupe River Trail. The trail will put residents a roughly 12-minute, scenic, nearly car-free, bike ride away from their nearest VTA light rail station. The developer plans to leverage this amenity by providing residents with upward of 650 bicycle parking spaces. While our members find this figure impressive, even more bike parking is essential, and we encourage the developer to reach a one-to-one bike parking ratio. Regarding car parking, our members commend the project for its low vehicle parking ratio—290 spots to 780 units, and for exploring shared parking with the Topgolf business across the street. With the potential for 7 Topgolf Drive to grow into a transit-friendly location, we’re glad to hear the developer is already considering VTA SmartPasses for residents. Our members suggest the developer make a firm committment to transit passes.
Intensity/Zoning Score: 5/5
7 Topgolf Drive is dense—really dense. At 250 dwelling units per acre, the project has left our members with little more to say other than “Yes!” It exceeds our expectations, and we staunchly support the developer for going above and beyond what we usually see from infill projects in San Jose.
Sustainability Score: 3/5
7 Topgolf Drive employs a novel approach to construction, utilizing modular, prefabricated units manufactured by Cloud Apartments. Depending on the location of the factory that builds the modules and the selection of materials, modular units can substantially reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions. Modular units also have the potential to reduce waste generated during the construction process. Other sustainability aspects of 7 Topgolf Drive include rooftop solar. If implemented, said efforts are commendable. Members have additional recommendations for energy-saving and sustainable amenities. For window HVAC units, some recommend Gradient because they are efficient and aesthetically pleasing. To assist with the management of the rooftop solar panels, consider investigating Glow Energy, a software platform that allows building owners and tenants to track energy usage. Overall, our members want to see a more substantial commitment from the developer to LEED Gold certification at minimum.
Affordability Score: 5/5
As a 100% affordable project, our members note that 7 Topgolf Drive is rather unusual. Unlike typical affordable projects that rely on tax credits or other public funding, 7 Topgolf Drive intends to be entirely privately financed. Competition for tax credit funding is tight, and nowhere near enough projects actually receive it. By relying on private funds, 7 Topgolf Drive is more likely to be built and built faster. The developer has also committed to furnishing each unit with high-quality amenities and appliances, such as in-unit washers and dryers. Few other projects come close to providing this number of affordable units. A total of 780 units at 80% AMI is commendable. However, some of our members want to encourage the developer to pursue allocating a larger portion of the units to low-income households.
Legacy Score: N/A
Members of Catalyze SV didn’t think this category was applicable to this site.