Palo Alto ARB recommends approval for Ralph Lauren storefront and cafe at Stanford Shopping Center

The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board on Sept. 4 recommended approval of exterior storefront revisions, new signage and an outdoor cafe for a Ralph Lauren store and Ralph's Coffee at 180 El Camino Real (Stanford Shopping Center), following a 5-0 vote to forward the project to the director of planning and development services with staff conditions.

Staff said the proposal — located in Building M, Suite 383, the former Brooks Brothers space — meets the center’s master tenant facade and sign program except for one primary wall sign that exceeds the program’s allowed panel height. Tamara Harrison with Michael Baker International, presenting for staff, said she recommended the board forward approval based on the Architectural Review Board findings and subject to conditions of approval. "Staff recommends that the architectural review board take the following action and recommend approval of the proposed project's facade changes and signage to the director of planning and development services based on findings and subject to staff's conditions of approval," Harrison said.

The project proposes repainting and cladding existing metal awnings and storefront systems, adding a new entry and storefront system for the cafe on the south elevation, new exterior lighting and furniture, slate tile at the entry vestibule, perimeter planters and removable stanchions for the outdoor seating, and multiple wall and blade signs. The slate tile will be installed inside the entry vestibule; the existing concrete walkway outside will remain. Harrison said the master sign program and Palo Alto Municipal Code section 16.20 provide the regulatory framework for the sign review.

Applicant Jason Smith of Land Shark Development said the proposed letter height for the primary sign is 12 inches, while the overall sign panel as drawn exceeded the allowable height by roughly four inches. "The letters themselves are at 12 inches," Smith said; he and staff noted the project condition requiring the primary wall sign to be lowered so the panel meets the program limit — staff recorded the final condition as a maximum of 2 feet at the time of building permit review.

Nadir Naqvi, Ralph Lauren’s architectural and design lead, said the design intends to "retain the integrity of the building" and to activate a previously underused alley by opening a cafe wall and adding seating. "We're very excited to be back in this mall," Naqvi said.

Board members asked technical questions about materials, lighting, and the outdoor seating area. Staff and the applicant clarified that: - The proposed slate tile is limited to the interior vestibule, not the exterior walkway. - Upper windows above the storefront are occupied by Stanford Medical and are not part of the Ralph Lauren project. - Outdoor seating was sized to preserve an eight-foot clear pedestrian path required by the center; additional tables would have reduced that clearance. Removable stanchions and planters will define the cafe area and be removed nightly. - Existing stucco and broader building repainting were described as landlord work; the Ralph Lauren scope covers the awnings, storefront cladding and the cafe elevation (Essex green with a 10% black tint for the cafe area). - Some existing wall-mounted fixtures will be removed and patched; new sconces and alley lighting were proposed and reviewed with the mall.

Board comments were uniformly favorable, commending the applicant for activating a constrained alley and for the materials palette. Board member comments noted the existing lampposts in the walkway constrain potential expansion of the cafe but recognized the design worked within those limits.

Board member action and vote: a motion to approve the project as designed, including staff conditions regarding signage, was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously, with Board member Hirsch, Board member Jojar, Board member Rosenberg, Vice Chair Adcock and Chair Chen recorded as voting yes. The motion carries 5-0. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the director of planning and development services for final administrative action and for any building-permit-level sign adjustments.

The board meeting record shows no public comment on the item during the public-comment period. The applicant and staff will proceed to the director for final review and then to building permits to implement the approved changes and the condition limiting the primary sign panel height.

Ending: With the ARB recommendation, next steps are administrative review by the director of planning and development services and then building permit submittals; staff noted the primary sign will be lowered to meet the sign program when permits are filed.