130 Residents Displaced from Santa Clara Condo
Approximately 130 residents were evacuated and displaced from a condominium complex in Santa Clara due to undisclosed structural issues. Authorities have cordoned off the building and are now focused on providing temporary housing and assistance to the affected families.
The evacuation of the Villa Bella condominium complex at 1850 El Camino Real began around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, after the Santa Clara Fire Department received reports of displaced concrete. Initially, about 60 people were evacuated from the 56-unit building, and residents of 10 nearby homes on Clay Street were also asked to leave as a precaution. A team of structural engineers from the developer, the city, and the homeowners' association assessed the building on Sunday and determined it was not in immediate danger of collapse, allowing Clay Street residents to return home. However, the engineers found that the north side of the condominium building requires shoring before any of the 130 displaced residents can move back in. The developer, Legend SantaClara, LLC, is responsible for the necessary repairs. There is currently no firm timeline for when residents will be able to return, with officials suggesting it could be weeks. In the meantime, the city has been working with the American Red Cross to assist those displaced. This incident follows a history of issues at the property. The complex, previously known as Anantara Villas, experienced a fire during its construction in 2019. After the first units were sold in 2024, residents began lodging complaints in 2025 regarding leaks, rusting metal structures, and an unresponsive developer.
