The purchaser is planning to build a high-rise housing development of about 12 stories, likely with retail on the ground floor. The housing could either be market-rate rentals or targeted at students. However, it is still so early in the process that plans can change.
Given the proximity to the airport, they could go to at least 20 stories here, maybe even 25. I'll take any new development Downtown, but I did wish Symphony was planning to shoot a bit higher in their initial plans.
Source: SJBJ
That car wash isn't going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThat car wash will fall;.
ReplyDeleteWhat retail??? Downtown is full of vacant storefronts and projects with a similar "retail space" (such as 360) have been an utter disaster. How is making more retail space going to turn things around?? Failure is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit to being wrong once a large, attractive corporate retail chain (be it Gap/BR/OldN to Pottery Barn, you name it) opens in downtown. And yes, Im aware of the Japanese retail store that was mentioned earlier.
Retail is slowly coming, and any sort of additional density will help that retail succeed. Really can't complain with any mixed use project going Downtown. Also, a year ago everyone was saying the San Pedro Square Market was going to be a huge failure... look what happened there.
DeleteHave a little faith, I think you might be surprised at what might happen over the next couple years.
Maybe just once, say something realistic or even acknowledge some negative aspect of downtown. Do you even live here?
DeleteCan't get to excited about this development because its east of the main core in a (relatively speaking) no mans land. Yes, city hall is across the street, but that still hasn't changed the fortunes of this part of downtown. Retail here? Think a dry cleaners, another taqueria, pawn shop, etc. (sorry Josh, but I'm yearning for the big announcement for our downtown)
ReplyDeleteThis city is so annoying. More vacant retail, ripe for a Subway or some other mind-numbingly dull business. Why would the city sell to or allow a developer to move forward with something like student housing directly across from city hall? That parcel should be developed into something very cool, not entrusted to some random investors without any loyalty to San Jose. Another fail.
ReplyDeleteIt's the old story of chicken and the egg.....retail wont come until the population density is there so this is favorable news!
ReplyDeleteDowntown is a total failure with no prospect just like in the last 30 years. It's nothing but vacant storefronts all over. It's an embarrassment for the 10 largest city in the country. It's Detroit of the 21st century! That's what San Jose is!
ReplyDeleteDowntown a "total failure?" Really? C'mon JD, I'm not overly excited about this development, but to call the entire core a failure is absurd. Get real!
DeleteJD, I don't see how your comment adds any value... and if you really believe that then why are you even reading this blog?
DeleteRemember, you don't only talk about downtown in your blog. You talk about alot of different things going on in San Jose, like growth in North San Jose, more shops at Santana Row and others which I think are interesting. It just that downtown is not San Jose's forte'. I like your blog because you have some interesting things to say. It's just downtown the black eye for this city. Downtown is very sick and depressed, but the rest of the city is fine. I feel your blog is usually good.
DeleteJD, can you please elaborate on downtown being "sick and depressed"?
DeleteSure, just look at the corner of First and Santa Clara, it's a disaster with thugs and mentally ills and vacant spaces. Downtown is a virtual ghost town most of the time. There are mostly empty storefronts throughout the downtown area. The commerce is so weak downtown. It's very sleepy with homeless people populating the area. That's what I meant by it being "sick and very depressed". Heck, the office market is in the dump. The suburban areas like Santana Row, LG, Willow Glen and others have zapped all the actions from downtown. Hopefully, this answers your question, Bob
DeleteAs long as they implement SJ City Hall plaza into their thoughts of building purpose and architectural harmony. It should be a nice fit. Anything will be better than an empty lot.
ReplyDeleteLet's say High Rise Student housing with the bottom two floors as an open plaza filled with local exclusive retail? Not bad... huh.
If we could an erected building with some visuals facing the East, it would really tie in the city as, City Hall has a bland slab facing east. Lets stop thinking so negative and offer solutions rather than complaints.
Justin
San Jose Bike Life
I will take in-fill development over a parking lot any day...as someone mentioned earlier, in order to attract big retailers there needs to be density. This along with the First Methodist Church being built across the street will get rid of two eyesore lots and get more people in DTSJ.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree!
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