Redwood City studies the not-yet-finalized proposal for huge senior care facility

Located at 910 Marshall St., the state-licensed senior care facility looks to develop 222 market-rate luxury units in a building that is 21 stories, or approximately 250 feet tall. Thirty-four of the units would be dedicated to assisted care or memory care, while 188 would be for independent living. 

As currently proposed — the application is technically incomplete and the city awaits needed details from developer R&M Properties — the building would be 2.7 times the maximum allowed height within the city’s downtown. 

Vice Mayor Kaia Eakin and Councilmember Diane Howard raised concerns over the height and mass of the proposal, largely over visual blight. Howard compared the proposal to the “Empire State Building” in Redwood City. 

Others on the council felt current regulations were restrictive on growth. One public commenter noted that “building up” avoids urban sprawl into neighborhoods with more open space. 

“There is a desperate need for this kind of housing and this one project will produce more senior assisted living units than Redwood City has done in the past 20 years,” Councilmember Isabella Chu said. 

There have been no new senior residential care facilities in Redwood City within the last 10 years, according to a staff report. 

The proposal does not include any affordable units, Eakin noted, which means that the target resident is wealthy despite the remaining incredible need for affordable units throughout the city. Chu noted that the only way to bring the cost of housing down, is to increase supply. 

Councilmember Chris Sturken also voiced his support for the tower and senior units, stating that “it’s not the Empire State Building” and reiterating the need to serve the fastest growing population in San Mateo County. 

Stephen Reller, partner of proposed developer R&M Properties, shared his vision for the building during the council meeting. 

“This will not just be a building, it’s a vibrant supportive community that brings energy to downtown, promotes multigenerational connection and sets a high standard for thoughtful urban design,” Reller said. “It’s an investment in the generation that built Redwood City and one that ensures they can continue to thrive here.” 

Councilmember Jeff Gee noted his appreciation for this project and the opportunity to allow residents to “age in place.” 

The ideal resident would be “urban minded and value proximity,” project manager Kevin Deng said. 

The site’s location would allow residents access to nearby hospitals within walking distance, which was a major benefit for councilmembers. The Caltrain station is a 10-minute walk, and downtown businesses are even closer. 

The massive height also raised concern from some councilmembers regarding protocol in the case of an emergency. 

Redwood City Fire Chief Baraka Carter acknowledged that should such a building be approved, the department would have to develop a “completely different understanding of how we would evacuate” the population in the case of an emergency, considering the building would be the first of its kind for the city. 

The development proposal was only studied by the City Council. Once the project application is deemed complete, further review will be conducted, including environmental review, and recommendations and approvals by city committees. This process could take over a year after the application is complete.