Rare trophy multifamily investment opportunity in the heart of Palo Alto, just blocks from Stanford University and vibrant downtown. Located at 251 Middlefield Rd, this iconic property was originally built in 1915 and completely reimagined in 2019, seamlessly blending historic architecture with modern luxury and high-end construction. The building features seven beautifully renovated residential units, each finished with premium materials and thoughtful design. Interiors include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, hardwood and tile flooring, skylights, vaulted ceilings, double-pane windows, and designer finishes throughout. Units are equipped with energy-efficient mini-split systems, with select residences offering central heating for year-round comfort. The impressive penthouse residence exceeds 2,000 sq ft, offering three bedrooms, a spacious office, and two bathrooms, while the main ground-floor unit spans over 1,400 sq ft and features two luxurious master suites. Exceptional curb appeal with professional landscaping enhances the property's timeless appeal. The property also includes an approximately 2,868 sq ft finished basement (not included in the official living square footage) with private access, kitchenette, and bathroom, providing excellent value-add potential for additional income or flexible use. Additional amenities include a centralized laundry facility and automated drip irrigation for the landscaped grounds. Most units are currently utilized as corporate housing, driven by strong employment demand from nearby global technology employers including Google, Apple, Meta, and Hewlett-Packard. Fully occupied and ideally positioned, this property offers stable income, strong rental demand, and long-term appreciation potential in one of Silicon Valley's most desirable and supply-constrained markets. A rare opportunity to acquire a fully renovated legacy asset near world-class universities, technology campuses, renowned restaurants, cafs, parks, and premier amenities.
Single-familyProperty Type
1915Year Built
10,001 sq ftLot Size
$1,263Price/Sq.Ft.
Listed by Bill Sadek•DRE #00970296• Engel & Volkers Roseville
Crescent Park, located between University Avenue and the Baylands, is a residential and historic Palo Alto neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a park-centered layout. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around the grassy oval of Eleanor Pardee Park, where sidewalks, shade trees, and classic façades set a calm, walkable rhythm. Early-20th-century Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes sit beside carefully updated contemporaries, giving the blocks a curated, lived-in feel. A short walk south, the independent storefronts along University Avenue add a polished urban edge. Palo Alto Art Center and the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo serve as cultural anchors, while Palo Alto Creamery keeps the local ritual of a late-night booth alive.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Market insights
251 Middlefield Rd · $7,500,000
DAYS ON MARKET
185 days
The average home goes pending in 15 days.
SALE-TO-LIST
102.7%
Most homes are selling 3% above list price.
LIST PRICE
$7,500,000
Median list price in this area is $1,952,261. (74% lower than this home)
PRICE DROP
1 price drop
15% of homes in this area have had a price drop in the past month.
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Bedroom
Living
Interior features
Finished basement
Great room living area
Kitchen open to family area
Stone countertops
Two wood-burning fireplaces
Bedrooms
11 bedrooms
Main level bedrooms included
Bathrooms
9 full bathrooms
1 partial bathroom
Tile and shower stall features
Kitchen
Free‑standing gas range
Gas cooktop
Free‑standing gas oven
Built‑in refrigerator
Hood over range
Dishwasher
Microwave
Laundry & utility
Laundry inside the home
Laundry room with hookups and sink
Flooring
Wood flooring
Tile flooring
Vinyl flooring
Linoleum
Other flooring
Heating & cooling
Multi-zone heating
Ceiling fans
Wall cooling units
Window cooling units
Other heating
Exterior features
Automatic sprinkler system
Landscaping/other lot features
Home design
Detached single-family residence
Two stories
Built in 1915
Composition roof
Parking
Parking details not provided
Construction
Original construction from 1915
Utilities
Public water
Public sewer
Electric service listed as other
Irrigation from public district
HOA & community
No homeowners association
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML82009484
Nov 26, 2025
Listing Removed
—
Jun 3, 2025
Listed
*
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML82009468
Nov 26, 2025
Listing Removed
—
Jun 3, 2025
Listed
*
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML81018705
Jun 3, 2025
Listing Removed
—
bridgeMLS, Bay East AOR, or Contra Costa AOR #ML81864732
May 20, 2022
Sold
$8,000,000
$1,347/sq ft
May 20, 2022
Sold
$8,000,000
$1,347/sq ft
May 9, 2022
Pending
—
May 4, 2022
Contingent
—
Apr 1, 2022
Relisted
—
Apr 1, 2022
Listing Removed
—
Sep 29, 2021
Listed
$9,988,000
$1,682/sq ft
Sep 29, 2021
Listed
$9,988,000
$1,682/sq ft
SDMLS #302537621
Oct 1, 2020
Listing Removed
—
May 27, 2020
Listed
$7,777,777
$1,310/sq ft
MLSListings #ML81241341
Nov 19, 2012
Pending
—
Nov 19, 2012
Listed
$3,495,000
$588/sq ft
Nov 19, 2012
Sold
$3,170,000
$534/sq ft
Nov 19, 2012
Sold
$3,170,000
$534/sq ft
Nov 19, 2012
Listed
$3,495,000
$588/sq ft
Public Records
Nov 16, 2012
Sold
$3,170,000
$534/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$72,002 (−27.2%)
$3,060,000 + $2,958,000
$6,018,000
2024
$98,841 (+1.5%)
$5,306,040 + $3,183,624
$8,489,664
2023
$97,398 (+117.2%)
$5,202,000 + $3,121,200
$8,323,200
2022
$44,847 (+2.0%)
$5,100,000 + $3,060,000
$8,160,000
2021
$43,965 (+2.1%)
$3,365,166 + $313,305
$3,678,471
2020
$43,049 (+1.1%)
$3,299,183 + $307,162
$3,606,345
2019
$42,578 (+2.8%)
$3,265,354 + $304,013
$3,569,367
2018
$41,406 (+1.8%)
$3,201,328 + $298,052
$3,499,380
2017
$40,681 (+2.7%)
$3,077,017 + $286,479
$3,363,496
2016
$39,619 (+1.0%)
$3,077,017 + $286,479
$3,363,496
2015
$39,239 (+1.9%)
$3,016,684 + $280,862
$3,297,546
2014
$38,503 (+54.7%)
$2,913,166 + $271,225
$3,184,391
2012
$24,886 (+6.2%)
$1,577,595 + $489,597
$2,067,192
2011
$23,444
$1,546,662 + $479,998
$2,026,660
2010
$23,447 (+1.4%)
$1,516,336 + $470,587
$1,986,923
2009
$23,113 (+46.9%)
$1,505,004 + $467,070
$1,972,074
2008
$15,738
$1,479,000 + $459,000
$1,938,000
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Permits
Beds
—
Baths
—
Stories
2
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
10,000 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
1960
Finished Sq. Ft.
—
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
4,440
Year built
1915
Style
Multi-Family (5+ Unit)
County
Santa Clara County
APN
00301076
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 21, 2026.
R-1
Single Family Residential District
The R-1 single family residential district is intended to create, preserve, and enhance areas suitable for detached dwellings with a strong presence of nature and with open area affording maximum privacy and opportunities for outdoor living and childrens play. Minimum site area requirements are established to create and preserve variety among neighborhoods, to provide adequate open area, and to encourage quality design. Accessory du, junior accessory du and accessory structures or buildings are appropriate. Community uses and facilities, such as churches and schools, should be limited unless no net loss of housing would result.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Housing-Senior
Housing-Mobile home park
Dec 10, 2019 • Final
Project - building
Upgrade the electrical service to 400 amps at the existing location.
Electrical
Sep 21, 2017 • Final
Project - building
Remove existing composition shingles and install new oriented strand board and composition shingles on a residential building.
Roofing
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.
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
1/10 Fire Factor
Unlikely to be in a wildfire in next 30 years
3/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 90° expected this year, 14 days in 30 years
1/10 Wind Factor
Minimal risk of severe winds over next 30 years
8/10 Air Factor
16 unhealthy days expected this year, 16 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
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
89/ 100
Very good sunlight
Sunscore
This home ranks in the top 19% for direct sun exposure in the zip code. There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
9.1 hrs
6.4 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 251 Middlefield Rd
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