The Shops Are Coming Last: What San Jose Just Approved for Cambrian Park Plaza

If you've driven past Union and Camden lately and wondered what's actually happening to Cambrian Park Plaza, you're not alone. And the answer might surprise you: the first thing being built isn't the retail. It's the homes.

San Jose has issued the official permit to redevelop Cambrian Park Plaza in phases. Phase 1 starts with 48 single-family homes and 27 accessory dwelling units (ADUs), followed by 25 townhome condominiums. Retail, apartments, assisted living, and a hotel come later in the sequence.

What Is Happening to Cambrian Park Plaza?

The site at 14200 and 14420 Union Avenue, San Jose 95124 sits on about 18.13 acres at the southeast corner of Union Avenue and Camden Avenue, in Council District 9.

San Jose issued the permit enabling phased development, and a hearing officer approved the phasing amendment, designated Amendment PDA20-007-01. That amendment makes no change to land uses, the total number of homes, or total commercial square footage.

City planning documents allow up to 428 residences total at the site, along with about 4 acres of open space.

What Homes Are Being Built First?

• Phase 1A: 48 single-family homes and 27 ADUs. Existing retail buildings on the site would be demolished to make way for them.
• Phase 1B: 25 townhome condominiums.
• Phase 2: Rough grading and underground utilities to prepare for later phases.

Cambrian is a mostly built-out single-family neighborhood. Brand new single-family homes here are rare. The phase details come from Mercury News reporting by George Avalos on November 6, 2026, based on Kimco Realty's project plans.

Will the Cambrian Park Carousel Sign Be Saved?

Yes, based on the current phasing plan. The carousel and the historic sign are planned to be preserved and relocated during Phase 1B, the townhome condo phase.

The sign isn't just a piece of signage. For a lot of people who grew up in this area or have lived here for years, it marks the corner. It means something.

Why Are Homes Coming Before the Shops?

The approved amendment removes the old requirement that the commercial part be built before or alongside the housing. That one change is what lets the homes go first. The rest comes later:

• Phase 3: An assisted living building of about 125,700 square feet, with 50 senior independent living units and 110 beds.
• Phase 4: 305 apartments over about 51,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, with an entry plaza and courtyard at the corner of Camden and Union.
• Phase 5: A 229-room hotel plus about 4,600 square feet of commercial space.

If the coffee runs and dinners at this corner are part of your routine, that matters. The shops are still in the plan. They just aren't first.

What Do We Still Not Know?

Quite a bit, honestly. No construction start date has been announced. No prices have been announced. No sales dates have been announced for the single-family homes or the townhomes. If you've seen someone state otherwise, they're speculating, not reporting.

What we do know: 50 of the 428 planned homes will be designated affordable, with 28 restricted to moderate income and 22 to very low income through a state density bonus application.

What Could This Mean for Cambrian Homeowners?

For homeowners in Cambrian, this is a development worth keeping an eye on.

New construction brings additional housing options into an established neighborhood, while the eventual retail, restaurants, and public spaces could change how residents experience this corner of San Jose.

But what does that mean for property values?

That depends on several factors, including buyer demand, competing inventory, construction timelines, and how the finished development fits into the surrounding neighborhood.

More housing doesn't automatically mean lower property values, just as new amenities don't guarantee higher ones.

What matters is understanding how these changes could influence your particular property and your plans for the future.

Whether you're considering selling, buying your next home, or simply protecting the value of what you own, staying informed gives you an advantage.

I'll keep watching this one for you. If you live near Union and Camden and want to know where your home stands while this corner changes, reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many homes are planned at Cambrian Park Plaza?

City planning documents allow up to 428 residences at the Cambrian Park Plaza site at Union Avenue and Camden Avenue in San Jose.

Are any of the homes affordable?

Yes. The phasing amendment includes a state density bonus application that restricts 28 homes to moderate income and 22 to very low income, for a total of 50 affordable homes out of the 428 planned.

What comes after the first homes are built?

After the single-family homes and townhome condos in Phases 1A and 1B, later phases include rough grading and utilities, an assisted living building, a mixed-use building with 305 apartments over shops and restaurants, and a 229-room hotel with commercial space.

Sirrom Alizem
Realtor | eXp Realty Nor Cal Inc | DRE #02137532
(650) 695-1919 | sirrom@realtywithsirrom.com | www.realtywithsirrom.com

What's your home worth today? Call or text (650) 695-1919 for a free personalized home valuation.