Bay Area Real Estate & Development Blog | Oakland, Piedmont & Cupertino

The Rise Cupertino Phase 1 Final Map: July 2026 City Review

Updated August 2026: The transformation of the former Vallco Mall property has reached another important stage. On July 21, 2026, the Cupertino City Council reviewed and considered approval of Final Map Tract No. 10706 for Phase 1 of The Rise, along with public street dedications, easements and a detailed Subdivision Improvement Agreement covering infrastructure associated with the first phase.

This is not simply another conceptual rendering or redevelopment announcement. The documents now under review get into the mechanics of turning the approved project into actual parcels, streets, public-access areas, easements and infrastructure.

I reviewed the City's draft resolution, the accompanying Subdivision Improvement Agreement and the 13-sheet Phase 1…

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Why Similar Oakland Homes Sell $500,000 Apart

Updated July 2026

Two homes. Similar square footage. Similar number of bedrooms. Both located in Oakland. Yet one sells for hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the other.

For many buyers and sellers, that doesn't seem to make sense. If the homes are similar, shouldn't the prices be similar too?

Not necessarily.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Oakland real estate is that home values move together across the city. They don't. In fact, Oakland isn't one housing market at all. It's dozens of distinct neighborhood markets, each with its own buyer pool, architectural style, inventory levels, lifestyle appeal, and pricing dynamics. Even within the same neighborhood, two homes separated by only a few blocks—or even the same street—can…

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Berkeley Hills vs. North Berkeley vs. Elmwood: Which Neighborhood Fits Your Home Search?

Berkeley Hills, North Berkeley, and Elmwood are three of Berkeley’s most desirable residential areas, but they provide noticeably different home-buying experiences. The Berkeley Hills generally appeal to buyers who prioritize views, privacy, distinctive architecture, and access to nature. North Berkeley offers a balance of traditional homes, neighborhood shopping, BART access, and an established residential atmosphere. Elmwood is often the strongest choice for buyers who want classic architecture combined with a highly walkable location near shops, restaurants, UC Berkeley, and Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood.

There is no single “best” Berkeley neighborhood for every buyer. The right choice usually depends on how much importance you place on…

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Permanente Cement Plant Demolition Begins Near Cupertino: What Happens Next?

Published: July 17, 2026

Demolition has begun at the former Permanente Cement Plant in the foothills west of Cupertino, marking the most visible step yet in the closure of one of Santa Clara County’s largest and most controversial industrial sites.

Heidelberg Materials, the company that owns the cement plant and surrounding Permanente Quarry property, has obtained permits and selected a contractor to remove approximately 40 structures from the 123-acre cement-plant portion of the property. The work follows the permanent shutdown of cement production and the end of cement-distribution activities at the site.

For Cupertino residents, the demolition represents the end of an industrial era. It does not, however, mean that the entire property is…

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The Best Oakland Neighborhoods for Luxury Home Buyers

Oakland offers several distinct luxury home markets, and each one attracts a different type of buyer. Some buyers want historic architecture and tree-lined streets. Others want Bay views, privacy, larger lots, walkable restaurants, or faster access to San Francisco and the rest of the East Bay.

For luxury buyers comparing Oakland neighborhoods, the best choice is rarely about price alone. The right neighborhood depends on how you want to live every day: quiet hillside privacy, classic residential streets, walkable shopping districts, or a location that balances commute access with neighborhood character.

This guide compares five of Oakland's most desirable areas for luxury home buyers: Piedmont Avenue, Crocker Highlands, Montclair, Upper Rockridge,…

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10 Things You Probably Forgot About Vallco Mall

For many longtime Cupertino residents, Vallco Mall was never just a shopping center. It was where kids learned to skate, teenagers met friends, families grabbed dinner, people watched movies, and an ordinary afternoon could turn into a memory that somehow lasted decades.

Today, the former Vallco site is being transformed into The Rise and Town Square West, one of the most significant redevelopment projects in Cupertino history. The plan now includes housing, retail, restaurants, parks, public open space, and a completely different vision for how the property may serve the city in the future.

But before the redevelopment debates, demolition work, city approvals, and construction updates, Vallco was a place people actually experienced. It had…

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What I Tell Every Buyer Relocating to Cupertino | Neighborhood Advice

Most buyers relocating to Cupertino begin the search with the same question: which schools serve this home?

That question matters, but it is only the starting point. After buyers spend time touring neighborhoods, driving commute routes, visiting parks, and comparing daily conveniences, the conversation usually becomes more practical: Could I actually see myself living here?

That is why choosing the right Cupertino neighborhood is just as important as choosing the right house. Monta Vista, Garden Gate, Rancho Rinconada, City Center, Seven Springs, Jollyman, Oak Valley, and Cupertino Village each offer a different version of Cupertino living.

Every Cupertino Neighborhood Feels Different

From the outside, Cupertino can seem fairly uniform. Home…

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Oakland Neighborhood Price Data | Rockridge, Crocker Highlands & Dimond

Updated June 25, 2026

Oakland real estate headlines can make the market sound simple. It is not. Recent MLS data from several Oakland neighborhood groups shows why citywide averages can be misleading for both buyers and sellers.

For this update, I reviewed recent MLS export data for three Oakland neighborhood groups: Rockridge, Crocker Highlands / Trestle Glen, and Lincoln Highlands / Dimond. These neighborhoods are all in Oakland, but they do not behave like the same market.

The data shows three different price points, three different buyer pools, and three different neighborhood stories. That is the real lesson. Oakland is not one market. It is a collection of smaller markets that can move differently depending on location, home style,…

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From Vallco Mall to The Rise: The Complete History of Cupertino's Biggest Redevelopment

By Bruce Wagg | Cupertino Real Estate

For more than four decades, Vallco Mall was one of Cupertino's most recognizable landmarks. Families shopped there, teenagers spent weekends at the arcade, people met friends at the food court, and generations of Silicon Valley residents have memories tied to what was once known as Vallco Fashion Park.

Today, that familiar landscape has changed dramatically. In its place, one of the largest redevelopment projects in Cupertino's history is beginning to take shape: The Rise at Town Square West.

This transformation represents far more than replacing an aging shopping mall. It reflects how Cupertino itself has evolved from a suburban community centered around retail into one of the world's most influential…

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What City Center Cupertino Looks Like Today — And How It Could Change Over The Next 10 Years

Ask most people to describe Cupertino and you'll hear the same themes: highly regarded schools, Apple Park, strong property values, and established residential neighborhoods. All of those are important, but they don't fully explain why City Center Cupertino has become one of the most closely watched areas in the city.

Centered around Main Street Cupertino, Memorial Park, the Cupertino Library, City Hall, and the Civic Center campus, this part of the city functions as Cupertino's gathering place. Residents come here for community events, concerts, library programs, dining, shopping, and civic activities. It's also where many of Cupertino's future housing and redevelopment conversations are likely to play out.

For buyers considering a move to…

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