MidPen Housing acquired the historic Saint Matthew Hotel building in downtown San Mateo for redevelopment of studio apartments and retail space, renamed Saint Matthew Apartments. Renovations included adding a steel seismic frame, new plumbing, heating, fire sprinkler systems, elevator and stairway. The resident studios were refurbished to include new bathrooms, efficiency kitchens, and laundry onsite. Additionally, the San Mateo County Mental Health program began to provide services to residents. The commercial portion of the building was earthquake retrofitted with assistance from San Mateo’s Storefront Improvement Program, and the storefronts were revived with new paint colors, vintage-inspired accents, and a walkway beautification plan. The property is listed in the National Historic Register of Historic Places and the community received an award from the California Preservation Foundation for “Excellence in Preservation and Re-use.”
