Lake Road & Bellevue, Merced, CA 95343 For Sale

Branford Point represents a premier mixed-use development opportunity consisting of approximately 47.7± acres located immediately adjacent to the University of California, Merced. Positioned along Lake Road between Bellevue Road and La Loma Road, the property lies within the City of Merced's Sphere of Influence and is currently undergoing annexation into the city, with rezoning anticipated to be completed in Q3-Q4 of 2026 and projected groundbreaking targeted for Q4 2026.

The proposed development features ten flexible lots, including 1) five high-density residential parcels, 2) one medium-density residential parcel, 3) four commercial parcels—creating a well-balanced mixed-use community positioned to serve the growing UC Merced area.

Residential zoning supports 12-36 units per acre, offering strong potential for multifamily and student housing. The commercial parcels accommodate a wide range of uses, including retail, medical, office, hospitality, and restaurant concepts, with development intensity ranging from 0.35 to 6.0 FAR.

All major utilities including sewer and water are already stubbed at the property, significantly reducing the development lead times and providing developers with streamlined path towards project delivery once entitlements are finalized. Strategically located adjacent to UC Merced—one of the fastest-growing research universities in the United States—the site is uniquely positioned to benefit from long-term population growth and increasing demand for housing, services, and retail amenities. The campus currently serves approximately 9,100 students and continues to expand, creating sustained demand for student housing, multifamily housing, neighborhood retail, and service-oriented commercial development.

The property is being offered for sale as a single master development opportunity (call for pricing) or through strategic parcellation, allowing flexibility for a range of development strategies. Ownership is also open to pre-leasing the commercial parcels, creating an opportunity to secure big-box, junior-box, and ancillary retail tenants prior to construction, which can significantly enhance project value and financing potential for future developers.

Branford Point presents a rare opportunity for retail developers, multifamily developers, single-family homebuilders, student housing developers, and mixed-use master developers to participate in one of California's fastest-growing university markets. With strong demographic drivers, proximity to UC Merced, flexible development potential, and infrastructure already in place, Branford Point offers a compelling foundation for a landmark mixed-use community serving the next phase of Merced's growth.