908 Ocean St., Ocean Place

Last updated: March 2025

Project name: Ocean Place

Location: 900 block of Ocean Street, Santa Cruz

The proposed development spans most of the lots on the block bounded by May Avenue and Ocean, Water and Hubbard streets.

Status

• The Santa Cruz Planning Commission approved the project Feb. 21, 2025. Construction is expected to start in spring 2026 and last about two years, developers said.
• First proposed in 2018, the project was changed several times and received broad support from nearly all people who spoke at a Feb. 21, 2025 planning commission meeting.

Developer

The developer is High Street Residential, a subsidiary of Dallas, Texas-based global real estate development firm Trammell Crow Co.

Project description

• Total units: 389 units, with a mix of studios, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, 35% of which are two bedrooms or more.
• Affordable units: 54 homes are planned for rent below market rate, with 36 of those for tenants with “very low income” and 18 for “low income” tenants, according to state-set income limits. 
• Height: A five-story building on Ocean Street and two three-story buildings on May Avenue are planned.
• Details: The proposal spans 4.15 acres and merges 21 lots on Ocean Street, Hubbard Street and May Avenue. Marianne’s Ice Cream at 1020 Ocean St. is the neighboring property on one end, and the project includes the property where Togo’s sandwich shop stands at 902 Ocean St. on the other side. The project would add 19 light poles on May Avenue, Ocean Street and Hubbard Street; remove 35 trees and plant 98 new trees; have trash collection within the project rather than on the street per some neighbors’ request; and rent tenant parking spaces separately from apartments to encourage carless households.

Building A is five stories on Ocean Street, and buildings B and C are three stories on May Avenue. A public walkway runs through the center. (BDE Architecture)

Three-story homes are planned on May Avenue. (BDE Architecture)

Lots on Ocean Street are expected to be redeveloped. (Brian Phan — Santa Cruz Local file)

Lots on Ocean Street including a former Togo’s sandwich shop are expected to be redeveloped into housing. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)

A rendering shows proposed homes on May Avenue. (BDE Architecture)

Three-story apartments are in plans for May Avenue. (BDE Architecture)

Marianne’s Ice Cream Co-owner Charlie Wilcox said he supports the project and traffic is key to the business and its 100 employees countywide. (BDE Architecture)

A public walkway is expected to connect May Avenue and Ocean Street. (BDE Architecture)

Hovering cars aside, a rendering shows what builders expect on Ocean Street in 2028. (BDE Architecture)