235 Alma offers a rare opportunity to own a unique office or live/work property in the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. The property is zoned CD-N (P) and the home has been used for SFR. SFR use is permitted non-conforming use. This meticulously updated (2025) property features two structures totaling approximately. 3940 SF, situated on +/- 5,625 SF parcel. The main building spans multiple levels and includes freshly renovated interiors with clean, modern, finishes, while the second structure provides adaptable office or flex space. Recent exterior renovations and professional landscaping have created an inviting environment complemented by abundant natural light throughout both buildings. Onsite and nearby street parking options add conveninece for occupants and visitors alike. The location is in close proximity to the PA Caltrain station and SB 79 is potentially applicable to this property.
Multiple Dwellings / StructuresProperty Type
1904Year Built
5,625 sq ftLot Size
$952Price/Sq.Ft.
4 car garageParking
Listed by David O'such•DRE #01033820• Cornish & Carey Commercial
Rare combination of residential luxury with an industrial style accessory structure in the core of downtown Palo Alto. Darling main home with utmost quality renovations throughout, sweet front porch and secluded fenced front yard. Wide gated driveway...
for stress free onsite parking. Surrounded by commercial buildings this is an oasis of residential living with some of the highest walk scores to be found!
11 months ago• May not reflect the current state of the home
Downtown North, located between University Avenue and the Stanford University campus, is a walkable and historic Palo Alto neighborhood with a tight street grid and a café-lined commercial core. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around University Avenue at Emerson Street, where sidewalk patios, independent boutiques, and late-night dessert counters keep the blocks in motion. Architectural cues lean to early-20th-century storefronts and restored façades, with quieter residential pockets just off the main corridors. Stanford Theatre and the Palo Alto Art Center act as cultural anchors, while Coupa Café and Kepler’s Books & Magazines set a bookish, espresso-scented rhythm. Caltrain at Palo Alto Station adds a commuter pulse, and the Baylands’ open trails sit a short ride north for a change of scenery.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Interior features
Security features noted (see remarks)
Bedrooms
Unit 1: 3 bedrooms
Bathrooms
Unit 1: 3 full baths, 1 half bath
Heating & cooling
Central forced air heating
Central forced air cooling
Additional heating details referenced in remarks
Exterior features
Shingle roof
Zoned CD-N
Assessor-listed lot information
Home design
Two-story configuration
Multiple dwellings/structures on site (2 buildings)
Parking
Detached garage
Common parking area
Garage with automatic gate/door opener
4 garage spaces
Construction
Concrete perimeter and pier/pillar foundation
Utilities
Public water
Public sewer
Separate electric meter
Primary gas meter
Primary water meter
Public utilities available
Financial info
Tenant pays all expenses
Vacancy factor listed as 1
Property configured with two rentable units (Unit 1 ~2,560; Unit 2 ~1,380)
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
235 Alma offers a rare opportunity to own a unique office or live/work property in the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. The property is zoned CD-N (P) and the home has been used for SFR. SFR use is permitted non-conforming use. This meticulously updated (2025) property features two structures totaling approximately. 3940 SF, situated on +/- 5,625 SF parcel. The main building spans multiple levels and includes freshly renovated interiors with clean, modern, finishes, while the second structure provides adaptable office or flex space. Recent exterior renovations and professional landscaping have created an inviting environment complemented by abundant natural light throughout both buildings. Onsite and nearby street parking options add conveninece for occupants and visitors alike. The location is in close proximity to the PA Caltrain station and SB 79 is potentially applicable to this property.
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML82034691
Apr 20, 2026
Listing Removed
—
Feb 12, 2026
Listed
*
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML82023562
Dec 23, 2025
Listing Removed
—
Oct 2, 2025
Listed
*
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$37,147 (+10.8%)
$2,793,324 + $506,884
$3,300,208
2024
$33,538
$2,738,553 + $267,053
$3,005,606
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Permits
Beds
3
Baths
4
Stories
2
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
5,625 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
2025
Finished Sq. Ft.
1,555
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
1,555
Year built
1904
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Santa Clara County
APN
12025058
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 21, 2026.
CD-N
P
Downtown Commercial-Neighborhood Subdistrict
The CD downtown commercial district is intended to be a comprehensive zoning district for the downtown business area, accommodating a wide range of commercial uses serving city-wide and regional business and service needs, as well as providing for residential uses and neighborhood service needs. The CD commercial downtown district is specifically created to promote the following objectives in the downtown area of Palo Alto: control the rate and size of commercial development; preserve and promote ground-floor retail uses; enhance pedestrian activity; create harmonious transitions from the commercial areas to adjacent residential areas; and where applied in conjunction with Chapter 16.49 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, preserve historic buildings.
Zone overlays
Pedestrian Shopping Combining District
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Religious facility
Day care facility
General retail
Restaurant
Housing-Multiple units
Housing-Senior
Hotel / motel
Office
Medical office
Veterinary clinic
Feb 12, 2026 • Final
Roof: like for like re-roof, only one structure per permit (detached single-family and duplex only, non-historic property)
Perform a direct replacement re-roof on a single-family home. No roof overlay is included.
Roofing
Aug 5, 2025 • Final
Project - building
Remodel a single-family home including the reconfiguration of the first floor, second floor, and basement. Replace multiple staircases, windows, and exterior doors. Install a new bathroom, remodel the kitchen, and apply new exterior veneer.
Remodel
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Historical weather
Palo Alto, CA • 94301
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
63
40
65
44
71
46
70
47
75
50
78
54
78
55
82
56
81
57
77
52
65
45
61
43
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
84/ 100
Very good sunlight
Sunscore
This home receives average direct sun exposure in the zip code. There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
9 hrs
5.7 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 235 Alma St
There isn’t enough information to generate an accurate estimate at this time. Learn More