Communications Hill, San Jose CA
Designed as Solomon ETC, 1996 - 2010
John Ellis Urban Designer with Daniel Solomon, Ganesh Ramachandran
Communications Hill is a 500-acre tract of steep hillside terrain near downtown San Jose, completely surrounded by a mix of commercial strip areas, auto-dominated low-density residenƟ al neighborhoods, and arterial highways. As planned, Communications Hill is a high-density residenƟ al urban neighborhood congenial for walking, unlike anything built in California during the previous 30 years of explosive growth. The plan superimposes a tight grid of streets and blocks over the steep terrain, in a manner similar to 19th century cities such as San Francisco or Seattle. Certain street corridors that are too steep for cars are pedestrian ways with public stairs and gardens. The block pattern incorporates neighborhood parks and a retail center. The residential buildings (designed by others) range from row houses to stacked flats with future proposals for high-rise towers in strategic locations.
The project won a CNU Charter Award 1997.
The masterplan is part of a long term program to build a dense new residential neighborhood with an urban grid of streets on the former open hilltop of Communications Hill, a few miles south of downtown San Jose.
Aerial view of Communications Hill, 2024.
Grand Stairs leading to the hilltop.
Phase 2 housing next to Communications Hill Park.
Street view showing three and four-story apartment buildings by different architects.
Street view facing west towards Communications Hill.