E
ssex Property Trust has acquired two office buildings in Mountain View for a combined $25.9 million, with plans to redevelop them into housing. The San Mateo-based real estate investment trust purchased the properties at 355 and 401 East Middlefield Road, which were previously approved for mixed-use apartments.

    The 23,800-square-foot building at 355 East Middlefield Road was bought from winemaker Milia Handley for $7 million, or $294 per square foot. The building was constructed in 1964 and renovated in 2002. Essex also acquired the 59,900-square-foot building at 401 East Middlefield Road from Renault & Handley for $18.9 million, or $316 per square foot.

    Both buildings were built in 1964 and have undergone renovations in 1997 and 2002, respectively. It's unclear whether either property is currently occupied. Essex has been actively expanding its portfolio in the Bay Area, with a focus on converting office spaces into housing.

    The company owns over 62,000 apartments across several counties, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. Its recent acquisitions include a $101 million deal for an apartment complex in Mountain View and a $117 million purchase of a 269-unit building in San Jose.