KTGY and SHAC Mark Groundbreaking of 11 El Camino Real in San Carlos, California
SAN CARLOS, Calif. – KTGY and SHAC (SummerHill Apartment Communities) marked the groundbreaking of 11 El Camino Real, a new 251-unit multifamily rental community in San Mateo County. The development brings a contemporary, pedestrian-oriented design to a prominent 2.2-acre site between the San Carlos and Belmont Caltrain stations, supporting the city’s goals for transit-oriented housing and corridor revitalization.
“Our goal with 11 El Camino Real was to design a community that feels rooted in its setting and welcoming to its neighbors,” said Lily Ciammaichella, associate principal at KTGY. “The development brings new housing and amenities to a key stretch of the corridor while contributing to a more connected, walkable environment.”
KTGY’s design uses the site’s significant grade change and long El Camino Real frontage to shape a building that is both visually compelling and contextually sensitive. The massing incorporates plane changes, height variation and dramatic horizontal stepbacks, concentrating taller volumes inward to reduce perceived height from public vantage points and creating a profile that echoes the character of the rolling San Carlos hills. Along the rear elevation, the design responds to the larger scale of warehouses and offices east of the Caltrain tracks with broader massing breaks and a more substantial building edge, aligning the development with its immediate context.
Along the street, the façade transitions from one to five stories, activating the frontage with a ground-floor program that includes the leasing office, fitness center and work-from-home spaces. A major massing break at the south courtyard introduces a double-height clubroom, positioned above the garage entry for architectural emphasis and reduced visual mass. These moves establish an approachable scale along El Camino Real and contribute to a welcoming presence for residents, neighbors and the broader corridor.
Two podium‑level courtyards serve distinct purposes: the south courtyard (over 11,000 square feet) combines a swimming pool with gathering spaces outside the clubroom, while the north courtyard (approximately 4,500 square feet) offers additional outdoor gathering areas. The building is unified by a warm, timeless material palette with tactile base materials and articulated corner elements, reinforcing its contemporary character and establishing a cohesive architectural expression along the corridor.
Ciammaichella added, “These design moves create a residential community that feels grounded in its surroundings while offering meaningful amenities and outdoor spaces for residents.”
“This development represents a strong collaboration with the City of San Carlos and KTGY, and we are proud to bring much-needed housing to this important corridor,” said Doug McDonald, president of SHAC. “11 El Camino Real delivers high-quality homes in a transit-served location and contributes to the city’s long-term vision for a vibrant, connected community.”
Sara McDowell, former mayor and current Councilmember, emphasized the community impact, stating, “The groundbreaking for 11 El Camino Real, which will become our city’s largest housing development to date, will create 251 new homes in San Carlos, including 38 essential affordable homes at various income levels. San Carlos is proud to be a welcoming and inclusive community, and that spirit is exactly what makes this project so meaningful. A true home is one you can build a full life around, and that means being able to get to work, to school, and to the people and places you love with ease.”
The groundbreaking event, held on June 25, included representatives from SHAC, KTGY, and the City of San Carlos. Construction is underway, with completion anticipated in 2028.
PROJECT FACTS:
Location: 11 El Camino Real, San Carlos, California
Developer/Owner: SHAC (SummerHill Apartment Communities)
Architecture: KTGY
Typology: Multifamily Residential | Podium
Site Area: 2.2 acres
Density: 114.1 du/ac
Number of Units: 251, including 38 essential affordable homes at various income levels
Unit Plans: 450-1,451 sq. ft. in a mix of four studio apartments, 163 one-bedroom apartments, 73 two-bedroom apartments, and 11 three-bedroom apartments.
Number of Stories: Six stories plus a basement level. (The street-level front elevation is higher than the rear elevation due to the site’s natural grade change sloping downward toward the rear of the property.)
Parking: 292 residential spaces (1.16 spaces per unit)
Construction Type: Type I, Type III
Design Highlights: Massing shaped by the site’s significant grade change, with plane shifts and horizontal stepbacks that concentrate taller volumes inward to reduce perceived height and echo the rolling San Carlos hills. An active El Camino Real frontage incorporates storefront glazing and ground-level residential stoops, while two podium-level courtyards introduce landscaped open space into the building’s interior. A warm, timeless material palette with articulated corner elements reinforces the building’s cohesive architectural character and approachable scale along the corridor.
Amenities: Pool, spa, landscaped courtyards, clubroom, fitness center, leasing office, resident lounge, bike room and mail room.
Timeline: Completion is slated for 2028.
About KTGY
Design lives at KTGY. Founded in 1991, KTGY is an award-winning firm of architects, designers and planners that realize new possibilities through inspired design. Everything we do, from architecture and interior design to branded environments and urban design is based on a people-centric storytelling and design process that creates memorable experiences nationwide. Guided by our mission to bring innovative design to all people and places, we partner with our clients to envision spaces that make a positive impact on people and their communities. Visit www.ktgy.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: KTGY
Contact Person: Brianne Wagner, Director, Demand Marketing
Email: Send Email
Phone: 18884565849
Address:17911 Von Karman Avenue Suite 200
City: Irvine
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: http://ktgy.com
