A proposal to replace the historic former Sunset Magazine headquarters in Menlo Park with three massive mixed-use buildings — including one reaching approximately 458 feet — has become one of the Bay Area's most unusual development battles.

The project, known as Willow Park, is proposed for the 6.7-acre property at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park's Linfield Oaks neighborhood. Current plans call for approximately 665 homes, 332,000 square feet of office space, 17,000 square feet of retail, a 130-room hotel and a preschool.

But the size of the development is only part of the story.

The property is owned through an LLC controlled by Russian businessman Vitaly Yusufov, son of former Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov. California Attorney General Rob…

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The Cupertino housing market enters fall 2026 with the same structural characteristics that have defined it for the past several years: extreme competition, limited supply, and prices that reflect the combined weight of Apple Park and CUSD school access. Bruce Wagg (DRE #01760054, Keller Williams Elevate) has spent 20 years working Cupertino, Piedmont, Oakland, and Berkeley, and the September data confirms those conditions are holding.

Where Prices Stand

The average home value in Cupertino now sits at approximately $3.1 million, up 5.9% from a year ago, with single-family homes trading at a median in the mid-$3 million range. Condos and townhomes remain the most accessible entry point for buyers who want CUSD school access without the full cost of a…

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Updated August 2026: The City of Cupertino approved Modification Application #4 for The Rise on August 24, 2026, making another set of refinements to the massive redevelopment of the former Vallco Mall property.

This latest action is particularly interesting because it focuses on Blocks 1 and 2, two residential components within the first phase of The Rise.

The most important takeaway for future homebuyers is what didn't change: the modification does not change the number of homes planned for either building. Block 1 remains planned for 235 homes and Block 2 for 258 homes.

Instead, Modification #4 primarily addresses building access, parking, loading, waste management, floor-area adjustments and other design refinements as the project moves…

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A major development proposal for the Trader Joe's property near Rockridge BART has been revised. The formal application for 5727 College Avenue now describes two shorter senior-housing towers, fewer residences and substantially more ground-floor retail than the earlier version of the project.

The revised proposal remains just that: a proposal. It has not been built, no construction schedule has been announced and the inclusion of grocery-store space does not confirm which grocer, if any, would ultimately occupy it. Still, the changes are significant for Rockridge residents, nearby businesses and anyone following development around Oakland's BART stations.

What Is Proposed for 5727 College Avenue?

The application calls for two buildings rising…

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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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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, 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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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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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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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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