A proposal to build 200 affordable apartments in San Rafael’s Northgate Mall area has been submitted, signaling another step forward in addressing Marin County’s severe housing shortage. The development would feature a seven-story complex designed to provide below-market-rate homes for families and individuals struggling with the region’s high cost of living.

As reported by Adrian Rodriguez in the Marin Independent Journal, the project site is a 1.6-acre parcel near Northgate Mall—an area identified as a key opportunity zone for transit-oriented development.

Rodriguez writes:
“A developer is proposing to construct 200 affordable apartments in a seven-story building near Northgate mall in San Rafael. The proposed project is located at 5800 Northgate Drive and would include a public promenade and plaza, according to the application filed with the city.”

While the project is still in early stages, its location within a high-opportunity, transit-accessible corridor exemplifies the kind of thoughtful, community-focused development that land trusts and affordable housing advocates support. Projects like this help integrate affordable housing into the fabric of vibrant neighborhoods, offering residents proximity to transit, schools, and services.

Article:
San Rafael Site Near Mall Proposed for 200 Apartments

Image Credit: Northgate Town Square Residential 4,  Studio T Square