Facebook's Expansion Plans Would Create a New 'Village' in Menlo Park

Facebook has proposed a campus expansion that would take shape as a neighborhood center or village, providing needed community services and amenities in the sprawling Menlo Park.

1 minute read

July 10, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Facebook Bikeshare

The existing Facebook campus is already trying to overcome some of the limitations of the traditional suburban office park. | Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock

"Aiming to address long-neglected community needs and to accommodate its burgeoning workforce, Facebook has proposed a vast expansion of its Menlo Park campus," reports George Avalos.

"Menlo Park-based Facebook intends to develop 1.75 million square feet of offices, 1,500 units of housing, 125,000 square feet of retail space including a pharmacy, as well as a cultural and visitor center," adds Avalos.

In addition to discussing how the new housing supply would benefit Facebook's massive workforce, Avalos also devotes significant ink to the need for amenities and commercial uses in the city of Menlo Park. For instance, "Facebook hopes that one big community benefit will be the addition of a market in what is something of a grocery desert in that part of Menlo Park. The closest Safeway store in Menlo Park is about 4 miles away from the proposed campus, a trip that can be a 20-to 30-minute drive across town in commute traffic."

The plan has already gained some levels of approval from the city, including from the city's planning commission back in October 2016. This most recent development for the proposed project adds new renderings and a design narrative to the plan.

Friday, July 7, 2017 in The Mercury News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

6 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City