3 East Third Avenue | San Mateo, CA

The 4-story Clocktower building at 3 E. Third Ave is a mixed-use retail and office space located on a vibrant intersection in downtown San Mateo. This building maximizes the use of its site, both aesthetically and economically, and fulfills the guidelines outlined in the Downtown Area Plan. The downtown area plan calls for 3rd Ave to be established as a main entry and connection to the downtown core. As such, the building addresses the corner of 3rd Ave and El Camino Real as a gateway to the downtown area.

The chamfered corner of the building creates a public space in which people can gather to explore the downtown core. The pedestrian areas are addressed by pushing the building off the property line along 3rd Ave, in setting the storefront windows to create public seating vestibules, and providing glass awnings for pedestrian scale and protection. The building bulk is addressed by setting the third floor back 4 feet along both 3rd Ave and El Camino Real. The design is an example of high-quality infrastructure that will enhance the physical and economic viability of the city.

Address: 3 E 3rd Ave Suite 200, San Mateo, CA 94401

Client: Village Properties

Square footage: 31,600 SF

Construction Type: IIB

Year Completed: 2017