Redwood City Council Moves Redwood LIFE: Evolve Project Forward

Informed by extensive community outreach and involvement, the development will now enter the CEQA process

Redwood City, CA (July 25, 2023) – Longfellow Real Estate Partners, the largest privately held investor and developer of life science buildings, presented its project for Redwood LIFE: Evolve to the Redwood City Council last night after last month’s unanimous recommendation by Planning Commission to Council to initiate the environmental review.

With unanimous approval from Redwood City Council to start the environmental review process, the development will now enter the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is intended to study and inform government decisionmakers and the public about potential developments and possible future outcomes for the community at large.

“Our team is extremely thankful to Redwood City Council and Planning Commission for their thoughtful review of the project – we are excited to see the results of an in-depth environmental review and ultimately taking the next step in making this revolutionary campus a reality,” said Peter Fritz, Senior Director of Development at Longfellow. “Over the past two years, Longfellow has had the pleasure of working with our neighbors, community stakeholders, and local government to inform and shape Redwood LIFE: Evolve, doubling down on our commitment to the long-term success and well-being of our community.”

The carefully phased development being proposed and studied will have approximately 3.3 million square feet including state-of-the-art lab and innovation office space, a 104-room hotel, a 14,600 SF Amenity Center with a 1,400 SF dedicated community space, and over 47 acres of green spaces and trails, including four new parks, that will provide enhanced recreational opportunities and gathering spaces for neighbors and tenants. At full build-out, the project will transform acres of asphalt to green space and landscaping by reducing 97% of surface parking and increasing open space by 163%.

In addition to the world-class life science and bio-innovation companies the campus will attract, the Redwood LIFE: Evolve project will also bring equitable community benefits that align with Redwood City’s Strategic Plan for Children and Youth, Transportation, and Housing. Among the many community benefits, Longfellow is committing to invest $85 million to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing, partnering with Stand Up San Mateo County to invest over $2 million to close the gap in the critical local childcare shortage, and much more.

Redwood LIFE: Evolve will also promote and accelerate environmental sustainability by replacing outdated buildings with a modern, all-electric campus designed to meet LEED Gold standards. Central to the campus and community plan is advancing Redwood City’s sustainability goals by increasing renewable energy, using native landscaping to reduce outside water usage by 50%, and restoring natural habitats along the water’s edge. Longfellow is also set to invest in sea-level rise resiliency by providing necessary levee improvements along the slough and work with regional partners to strategically address sea-level rise.

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About Longfellow Real Estate Partners
Longfellow Real Estate Partners is a real estate investment company founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 2009. With approximately 200 employees in bio-innovation clusters across the US and UK, Longfellow partners with renowned universities and pioneering life sciences and technology companies to help bring visionary ideas to life. Driven by a passion to support those working to advance the human condition, Longfellow continues to grow and expand in the name of scientific progress. For more information, visit https://lfrep.com.

Press/Media Contact
Casey Angel: Director, Corporate Communications
+1 (619) 400-7990 • cangel@lfrep.com