A rare 16-unit trophy asset in the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. This stunning 1920s-era Spanish Colonial Revival building sits on a generous 15,000 SF lot with 11,035 SF of building area, half a block from University Avenue's renowned dining, shopping, and retail - an A+ location that speaks for itself. The unit mix features 9 1-bed/1-bath units and 7 oversized studios, almost all with updated kitchens and baths, and in-unit laundry in all large 1-bedroom units. The property is a showpiece: tile roofline, stucco exterior, arched windows/doorways, wrought-iron, and a lushly landscaped courtyard centered on a classic tiered fountain - the kind of building people stop to photograph. Ownership invested ~$1.3M in capital improvements in 2019, including new 400 AMP electrical panel, updated interior sub-panels, copper plumbing, Romex wiring, and exterior stucco refresh. 8 onsite garages, add'l storage, and dedicated laundry room. Recently signed June 2026 leases confirm market rents are achievable. Rarely does a property like this come to market - an architectural beauty in an irreplaceable location, offering stable in-place cash flow, proven rent upside, and the kind of curb appeal that simply can't be built today. A true once-in-a-generation opportunity for the discerning investor!
Multi-familyProperty Type
1927Year Built
0.34 acresLot Size
$952Price/Sq.Ft.
8 car garageParking
Listed by Kelly Griggs•DRE #01812313• Coldwell Banker Realty
Listed by Billy McNair•DRE #01343603• Coldwell Banker Realty
University South, located between University Avenue and El Camino Real, is a walkable and historic Palo Alto neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a rail-adjacent buzz. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around University Avenue at Emerson Street, where sidewalk patios, independent boutiques, and late-night dessert counters set a steady hum. California Avenue’s older storefronts and small courtyards echo the area’s early-20th-century bones, while nearby blocks mix classic bungalows with tidy apartment buildings. Stanford Theatre anchors the local cinephile calendar, and City of Palo Alto’s King Plaza adds a civic pause along the retail corridor. Caltrain’s presence shapes a commuter-friendly rhythm without overpowering the residential grid.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Interior features
Controlled/secured access to building
Storage available
Some units include washer/dryer
Bedrooms
One-bedroom units (various unit types across building)
Bathrooms
Full bathrooms in each unit
Kitchen
Dishwasher
Built-in oven/range
Electric cooktop
Refrigerator
Synthetic countertops
Appliances may vary by unit
Laundry & utility
Some units include washer and dryer
Flooring
Carpet
Laminate
Heating & cooling
Electric heating
Exterior features
Courtyard
Lawn with sprinkler system
Secured garage/parking
Home design
Multi-unit building (16 units)
Ownership held in a trust
Zoning: RM5
Grade-level lot
Parking
Detached parking
Leased parking available
On-street parking
8 garage spaces
Security
Controlled/secured access
Secured garage/parking
Construction
Bitumen and tile roofing
Concrete perimeter foundation
One building
Utilities
Public water
Public sewer
Primary electric, gas, and water meters
Public utilities
HOA & community
Additional storage included as an amenity
Other HOA/community amenities (see remarks)
Financial info
Building contains 16 total units
Annual rental income for the property reported
Vacancy factor applied (3%)
Property managed with tenant-paid or other tenant expense items
Other
Landscape expense reported
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
A rare 16-unit trophy asset in the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. This stunning 1920s-era Spanish Colonial Revival building sits on a generous 15,000 SF lot with 11,035 SF of building area, half a block from University Avenue's renowned dining, shopping, and retail - an A+ location that speaks for itself. The unit mix features 9 1-bed/1-bath units and 7 oversized studios, almost all with updated kitchens and baths, and in-unit laundry in all large 1-bedroom units. The property is a showpiece: tile roofline, stucco exterior, arched windows/doorways, wrought-iron, and a lushly landscaped courtyard centered on a classic tiered fountain - the kind of building people stop to photograph. Ownership invested ~$1.3M in capital improvements in 2019, including new 400 AMP electrical panel, updated interior sub-panels, copper plumbing, Romex wiring, and exterior stucco refresh. 8 onsite garages, add'l storage, and dedicated laundry room. Recently signed June 2026 leases confirm market rents are achievable. Rarely does a property like this come to market - an architectural beauty in an irreplaceable location, offering stable in-place cash flow, proven rent upside, and the kind of curb appeal that simply can't be built today. A true once-in-a-generation opportunity for the discerning investor!
Public Records
Jan 23, 1998
Sold
$1,920,000
$174/sq ft
Public Records
Jun 7, 1984
Sold
$222,000
$20/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$37,945 (+4.3%)
$718,535 + $2,339,705
$3,058,240
2024
$36,382 (+1.5%)
$718,535 + $2,339,705
$3,058,240
2023
$35,856 (+1.2%)
$704,447 + $2,293,829
$2,998,276
2022
$35,440 (+2.0%)
$690,635 + $2,248,852
$2,939,487
2021
$34,741 (+2.1%)
$677,094 + $2,204,757
$2,881,851
2020
$34,022 (+1.1%)
$663,818 + $2,161,527
$2,825,345
2019
$33,649 (+2.8%)
$657,012 + $2,139,364
$2,796,376
2018
$32,738 (+1.8%)
$644,130 + $2,097,416
$2,741,546
2017
$32,165 (+2.7%)
$619,118 + $2,015,972
$2,635,090
2016
$31,324 (+1.0%)
$619,118 + $2,015,972
$2,635,090
2015
$31,021 (+2.0%)
$606,979 + $1,976,444
$2,583,423
2014
$30,420 (+2.1%)
$586,151 + $1,908,622
$2,494,773
2012
$29,808 (+5.5%)
$583,502 + $1,899,997
$2,483,499
2011
$28,264
$572,061 + $1,862,743
$2,434,804
2010
$28,252 (+1.4%)
$560,845 + $1,826,219
$2,387,064
2009
$27,853 (+5.4%)
$556,654 + $1,812,571
$2,369,225
2008
$26,421
$547,037 + $1,781,252
$2,328,289
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Permits
Beds
—
Baths
—
Stories
2
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
0.34 Acres
Year renovated
1927
Finished Sq. Ft.
10,336
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
10,336
Year built
1927
Style
Multi-Family (5+ Unit)
County
Santa Clara County
APN
12003059
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Jul 11, 2026.
RM-40
High Density Multiple-Family Residence District
The RM-40 high density multiple-family residence district is intended to create, preserve and enhance locations for apartment living at the highest density deemed appropriate for Palo Alto. The most suitable locations for this district are in the downtown area, in select sites in the California Avenue area and along major transportation corridors which are close to mass transportation facilities and major employment and service centers. Permitted densities in the RM-40 residence district range from 31 to 40 du per acre.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Housing-Senior
Housing-Mobile home park
Oct 3, 2025 • Final
Project - building
Modify the existing guardrail to ensure it meets current building codes.
Remodel
Jul 27, 2023 • Final
Project - building
Replace all water supply, drain, and sewer lines.
Plumbing
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
7/10 Air Factor
12 unhealthy days expected this year, 12 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
71/ 100
Good sunlight
Sunscore
There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
8.4 hrs
3.4 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 530 Webster St
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