Stanford Research Park

Stanford Research Park (SRP) is a technology park established in 1951 as a joint initiative between Stanford University and the City of Palo Alto.[1] It was the world's first university research park.[1][2] It has more than 150 companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Tesla Motors, TIBCO and VMware; previously, it housed high-profile companies, including Steve Jobs's NeXT Computer, Xerox PARC, and Facebook.[3][4] It has been called "an engine for Silicon Valley"[5] and "the epicenter of Silicon Valley".[6]

Stanford Research Park
Facebook's former headquarters in Stanford Research Park
Former namesStanford Industrial Park
General information
Town or cityPalo Alto, California
CountryUnited States
Coordinates37.4069°N 122.1518°W / 37.4069; -122.1518
Current tenantsTesla, Nest, Hewlett-Packard, VMware, TIBCO
Construction started1951
Opened1953
OwnerStanford University
LandlordStanford Management Company
Grounds700 acres (2.8 km2)
Website
stanfordresearchpark.com

Facilities

The park covers 700 acres (2.8 km2)[6][7] and has 10 million square feet of commercial real estate in an area surrounding Page Mill Road, south west of El Camino Real and extending beyond Foothill Expressway to Arastradero Road. As of January 2018, the park's 140 buildings house over 150 different companies[3] and their 23,000 employees.[8] It is currently home to companies like Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed Martin, Tesla Motors, Nest, Skype, TIBCO and SAP. VMware is the park's largest tenant as of January 2018.[3]

In 2016, SRP contributed an estimated $775 million in terms of economic activity to Palo Alto and approximately $2.4 billion to Santa Clara County. In 2016, SRP contributed more than $45 million in taxes (across local, state, and federal).[9]

History

After World War II, Stanford University found itself in difficult financial circumstances.[6] But given that it was rich in land, Stanford University Provost and Dean of Engineering Frederick Terman proposed a Stanford-affiliated and R&D-focused business park that would generate income for Stanford as well as tax revenue for the Palo Alto community. Stanford University and the City of Palo Alto partnered to found the park, which was initially named Stanford Industrial Park.[3] In 1951, the initiative was authorized and 209 acres were allocated. In 1953 Varian Associates moved in as the park's first tenant.

In the early days, Stanford tightly controlled development, without the help of an outside developer. It also rigorously screened potential tenants to ensure they were in line with university objectives. By 1956 Hewlett-Packard established its world headquarters in SRP. The park acquired more land as it grew from 40 tenants in 1960 to 100 tenants in 1985 to over 150 as of January 2018.[8]

The name was changed in the 1970s to Stanford Research Park from Stanford Industrial Park to highlight "the focus of cooperation between the university and the tech companies".[10] In 1991, the Stanford Management Company was established to manage the university's financial and real estate assets, including SRP.[5]

Controversies

In 2014 the Palo Alto City Council allowed a proposed 17-acre affordable housing community with 180 units in the Stanford Research Park to proceed, despite protests by neighborhood residents.[11] Called Mayfield Place, the community opened in June 2017.[12]

In 2016, Stanford University and 12 of the park's largest companies formed the Transportation Management Association in order to mitigate traffic congestion from employee commutes, noting that it was making companies within the park less attractive to current and prospective employees. SRP lacks a nearby Caltrain station. The group is exploring several options, including "new shuttles, carpool routes and a trip-planning app".[13]

Tenants

The following tenants currently have offices at the Stanford Research Park.[14]

See also

References
  1. Luger, Michael I.; Goldstein, Harvey A. (1991). Technology in the Garden: Research Parks and Regional Economic Development. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. p. 122. ISBN 9780807843451.
  2. Mozingo, Louise A. (2011). Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes. Cambridge: MIT Press. p. 166. ISBN 9780262338288. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  3. "Stanford Research Park: About". Stanford Research Park. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  4. Vance, Ashlee (27 July 2006). "The life and times of Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard". The Register. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  5. Stanford University Investment Report (PDF). September 2016. p. 10. Retrieved 23 January 2018. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  6. Chu, Jeff (1 October 2010). "Stanford University's Unique Economic Engine". Fast Company. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  7. Gitelman, Hillary (2017), Stanford Research Park Framework Document Presentation, Staff Report 8184, Palo Alto Historic Resources Board This report also includes a map of the research park
  8. Sandelin, Jon. "Co-Evolution of Stanford University & the Silicon Valley: 1950 to Today" (PDF). WIPO. Stanford University Office of Technology Licensing. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  9. "SRP Gives Back". Stanford Research Park. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  10. "The Stanford Research Park: The Engine of Silicon Valley". Palo Alto History. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  11. Eslinger, Bonnie (24 June 2014). "Palo Alto council approves 180-unit housing project at Stanford Research Park". The Mercury News. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  12. McGuire, Lawrence (30 June 2017). "Palo Alto affordable housing community opens in Stanford Research Park". Stanford News. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  13. Sheyner, Gennady (17 March 2016). "Stanford Research Park companies join forces to fight traffic". Palo Alto Weekly. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  14. "Stanford Research Park" (PDF). Stanford University Maps & Records. May 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
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