There is an impressive list of events at "Garden at the Flea" which include concerts, pro wrestling, and the 8th Annual Taco Festival of Innovation (Aug 31st). To see all of the programming, head over here.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Garden at the Flea
It has been quite a while since I have been to the San Jose Flea Market. I had no idea that they built out a full-blown craft beer garden featuring local beers and a food truck park. There is also a stage for live music in the beer garden. These are here to stay even with the major new developments being built around the new Berryessa BART station.
There is an impressive list of events at "Garden at the Flea" which include concerts, pro wrestling, and the 8th Annual Taco Festival of Innovation (Aug 31st). To see all of the programming, head over here.
There is an impressive list of events at "Garden at the Flea" which include concerts, pro wrestling, and the 8th Annual Taco Festival of Innovation (Aug 31st). To see all of the programming, head over here.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Tom McEnery is reviving Manny's Cellar
Former San Jose mayor Tom McEnery is bringing back a beloved and famous (infamous perhaps?) bar in the basement of the Fallon House called "Manny's Cellar." The bar was often visited by city elites and has quite a bit of history behind it. The Fallon House itself is a historic building across the street from the San Pedro Square Market and the Peralta Adobe--San Jose's oldest building.
The new bar would try to preserve the history and character of the former bar, and would have a period-appropriate aesthetic. I'm picturing a speakeasy similar to Haberdasher in SoFA.
The project would also benefit History San Jose as there would be a new docent program for the historic buildings and they would receive 10% of the net profits from Manny's Cellar 2.0.
Tom McEnery also wants to see if the Fallon House and Peralta Adobe could be opened to the public without charging for admission. Both are some of the most historically significant buildings in California and he wants as many people as possible to see them.
What a great way to re-purpose an area that has been used for storage for the past 25 years and help activate a historic building!
Source: San Jose Spotlight
The new bar would try to preserve the history and character of the former bar, and would have a period-appropriate aesthetic. I'm picturing a speakeasy similar to Haberdasher in SoFA.
The project would also benefit History San Jose as there would be a new docent program for the historic buildings and they would receive 10% of the net profits from Manny's Cellar 2.0.
Tom McEnery also wants to see if the Fallon House and Peralta Adobe could be opened to the public without charging for admission. Both are some of the most historically significant buildings in California and he wants as many people as possible to see them.
What a great way to re-purpose an area that has been used for storage for the past 25 years and help activate a historic building!
Source: San Jose Spotlight
Monday, August 26, 2019
Urban Catalyst building a 170-room hotel
Developer Urban Catalyst is planning a 170-room business hotel at 491 W. San Carlos Street, just a couple blocks away from the Children's Discovery Museum and Discovery Meadow. This will be very close to the future Google campus as well, which goes to show how that project is already transforming and expanding the Downtown San Jose landscape.
The initial design for the eight-story hotel is not inspiring, but it will help fill a desperate need for rooms near Downtown San Jose. For all of the details, hit the source link below.
Source: SVBJ
The initial design for the eight-story hotel is not inspiring, but it will help fill a desperate need for rooms near Downtown San Jose. For all of the details, hit the source link below.
Source: SVBJ
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
San Jose's most dangerous streets
A study was recently completed by 1Point21 Interactive and Henshaw & Henry, PC to find the most dangerous streets in San Jose. Five years of data was sourced from the California Highway Patrol's SWITRS database to compile the number of crashes, injuries, severe injuries, and fatalities at various intersections in San Jose. Over that period, there were 8,000 intersection-related crashes in San Jose, which sadly led to 10,118 injuries and 103 deaths.
The most dangerous regions are Alum Rock, Central San Jose, and South San Jose. Of those, the intersection of McLaughlin and Story is the most notorious, followed by Almaden Expressway and Blossom Hill. Capital Expressway and Ocala Avenue was third on the list.
To see the full study, head over here.
The most dangerous regions are Alum Rock, Central San Jose, and South San Jose. Of those, the intersection of McLaughlin and Story is the most notorious, followed by Almaden Expressway and Blossom Hill. Capital Expressway and Ocala Avenue was third on the list.
To see the full study, head over here.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Verizon bringing 3,400 employees to San Jose
San Jose's Coleman Highline looks like it will be fully leased before construction is over. Verizon Communications will join Roku in leasing generous amounts of space at the property. Verizon is grabbing 640,000 SQFT across multiple buildings, which is enough for 3,400 employees. 2,400 of those will be coming from an existing campus in Sunnyvale.
Coleman Highline will eventually have 1.75 million SQFT of space across eight office buildings, two hotels, and retail spaces. Project completion is scheduled for 2021.
Source: SVBJ
Coleman Highline will eventually have 1.75 million SQFT of space across eight office buildings, two hotels, and retail spaces. Project completion is scheduled for 2021.
Source: SVBJ
Monday, August 19, 2019
Lew Wolff helps move along a 19-story hotel project
Lew Wolff, one of the key developers responsible for the Fairmont San Jose, is now in talks to purchase a 19-story hotel project next to the Hotel DeAnza. The deal is expected to close in September and would bring the project much closer to becoming a reality.
This would likely be a trendy brand catering to young professionals that do not want to rent cars (there will be no on-site parking). It also features some really nice amenities like a rooftop restaurant and bar.
San Jose is in desperate need of more hotel rooms to support local companies and events. New hotel projects like this and the cantilevered Tribute Hotel can't come soon enough.
Source: SVBJ
This would likely be a trendy brand catering to young professionals that do not want to rent cars (there will be no on-site parking). It also features some really nice amenities like a rooftop restaurant and bar.
San Jose is in desperate need of more hotel rooms to support local companies and events. New hotel projects like this and the cantilevered Tribute Hotel can't come soon enough.
Source: SVBJ
Thursday, August 15, 2019
New mural near City Hall
The corner of Third and East Santa Clara Street has gotten a beautiful new mural commissioned by the City. Enso bar and nightclub was willing to host the mural and even prepped the wall for the artists. The whole process of painting the mural was captured in the short video below.
Source: SJ Economy Blog
Source: SJ Economy Blog
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
The Icon
A Chevron gas station near City Hall is going to be transformed into a 20-story residential tower with up to 250 market-rate units called the Icon. Urban Catalyst just revealed the render below last week. The sleek tower features multiple balconies and 7,500 SQFT of retail on the ground floor.
This appears to be just one of 10 project Urban Catalyst is planning for Downtown San Jose. A hotel, senior living residence, student housing building, co-living development, and an office building are also in the works. It total, they are planning to add $1 billion in value to San Jose's core.
The source article includes an interview with Joshua Burroughs and it is well worth a read if you are a Silicon Valley Business Journal Subscriber.
Source: SVBJ
This appears to be just one of 10 project Urban Catalyst is planning for Downtown San Jose. A hotel, senior living residence, student housing building, co-living development, and an office building are also in the works. It total, they are planning to add $1 billion in value to San Jose's core.
The source article includes an interview with Joshua Burroughs and it is well worth a read if you are a Silicon Valley Business Journal Subscriber.
Source: SVBJ
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
August 2019 Downtown Dimension Highlights
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Monday, August 12, 2019
Downtown BART subway alterations
After the huge debate between whether to use a double or single bore subway systems for BART's expansion to Downtown San Jose, it appears there is still some controversy with the design. It was decided that the expansion would use a single bore, which would make it the first system of it's kind in the United States. The key benefit of the design is that we would not have to dig up all of Santa Clara Street and disrupt businesses and residents for years. It would actually be less expensive to build. The downside is that this segment of the BART system would be completely different than the rest of the network, and that would require extensive retraining of staff.
Now it appears that there is a compromise solution, and that is to increase the size of the tunnel from 45 feet to a massive 55 feet. By volume, that is about a 50% increase in size. This would allow the trains to run side by side like the rest of the network, but would increase cost and complexity.
It is actually an interesting proposal for me because the extra space above and below the trains could perhaps be utilized for another mode of transportation. It looks large enough for electric buses or even Light Rail. Perhaps, we could see a next generation Loop or Hyperloop system utilize those spaces. While it is clear San Jose needs to be fully connect to BART, we should also think about how we can leverage this project to support the future generation of mobility.
Source: SVBJ
Now it appears that there is a compromise solution, and that is to increase the size of the tunnel from 45 feet to a massive 55 feet. By volume, that is about a 50% increase in size. This would allow the trains to run side by side like the rest of the network, but would increase cost and complexity.
It is actually an interesting proposal for me because the extra space above and below the trains could perhaps be utilized for another mode of transportation. It looks large enough for electric buses or even Light Rail. Perhaps, we could see a next generation Loop or Hyperloop system utilize those spaces. While it is clear San Jose needs to be fully connect to BART, we should also think about how we can leverage this project to support the future generation of mobility.
Source: SVBJ
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Backyard San Jose
A new pop-up community space is coming to Fountain Alley in Downtown San Jose (35 S. 2nd Street). For three whole months, Backyard San Jose is turning a parking lot into a public space with cultural events, concerts, classes, and networking events. There will be something going on seven days a week.
Backyard San Jose is throwing a launch party on August 15th from 6pm to 9pm with music, food, beer, and wine.
The list of partners and contributors to this project is impressive:
For more details and to RSVP to their launch party (not required), head over here.
Source: Gillynova from the San Jose Development Forum
Backyard San Jose is throwing a launch party on August 15th from 6pm to 9pm with music, food, beer, and wine.
The list of partners and contributors to this project is impressive:
- ABM Industries
- Anno Domini Gallery
- BandWagon
- Be The Change Yoga
- Beyond Meat
- Children’s Discovery Museum
- Cinequest
- City of San Jose
- Code for San Jose
- Content Magazine
- Downtown Screen Printers
- Feather
- Fractal Flora
- Gray Area Art + Technology
- Good Karma
- Heroes Martial Arts
- Local Color
- MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana
- Meetup
- Omnipotent Studios
- Park Lab
- Paseo Prototyping Festival
- PATH Homeless Assistance
- Pink Sparrow
- Pop Kids Yoga
- Public Space Authority
- San Jose Come Up
- San Jose Downtown Association
- San Jose Improv
- San Jose Made
- San Jose State University Cadre Media Lab
- Silicon Valley Pride
- SOMA Streat Food
- SPRO Coffee Lab
- SPUR
- Swordfighting School
- The Get Down Dance Studios
- The People’s Table
- Universal Grammar
- Urban Community
- WebEnertia
- WeWork Labs
- ZERO1
For more details and to RSVP to their launch party (not required), head over here.
Source: Gillynova from the San Jose Development Forum
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
San Jose is the 3rd best city for startup companies
COMMERCIALCafe has crunched data from the 50 most populous urban centers to find the places that are best suited for entrepreneurs and startup companies. Dallas and San Diego took the two top spots, followed by San Jose, LA, and Houston, and Chicago.
San Jose was ranked first for tech education, tech education growth, and for the success of Kickstarter projects (36% of projects are funded). For tech employment growth, we were 2nd. We are also the seventh-most attractive city for millennials, which is counter to most stereotypes about the South Bay.
To see the full study, please head over here.
San Jose was ranked first for tech education, tech education growth, and for the success of Kickstarter projects (36% of projects are funded). For tech employment growth, we were 2nd. We are also the seventh-most attractive city for millennials, which is counter to most stereotypes about the South Bay.
To see the full study, please head over here.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Santana West breaks ground on 350,000 SQFT office building
Now that Santana Row is wrapping up its final building, Federal Realty is setting their sights across the street with a new project called Santana West. The first phase officially broke ground last week and consists of an eight-story, 360,000 SQFT office building and a 1,750 space parking structure. Also, by breaking ground I mean there is already active construction on the site--it was not just a formality.
Federal Realty is trying to lease the whole building to a single tenant but is building Santana West speculatively without a tenant in tow. If all goes well, there are two additional phases that will bring the project to one million SQFT.
Unlike Santana Row, this is not a mixed-use development. In fact, there is no retail component at all--not even a coffee shop. The only likely public amenity in the project is the re-purposing of the Century 21 dome. This might seem like a missed opportunity, but two of the most successful retail projects in the United States are just across the street.
If everything goes according to plan, the building will be ready for occupancy in Q1 2021, less than two years from today.
Federal Realty is trying to lease the whole building to a single tenant but is building Santana West speculatively without a tenant in tow. If all goes well, there are two additional phases that will bring the project to one million SQFT.
Unlike Santana Row, this is not a mixed-use development. In fact, there is no retail component at all--not even a coffee shop. The only likely public amenity in the project is the re-purposing of the Century 21 dome. This might seem like a missed opportunity, but two of the most successful retail projects in the United States are just across the street.
If everything goes according to plan, the building will be ready for occupancy in Q1 2021, less than two years from today.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
"Endless Summer Fun at Santana Row"
San Jose shoppers’ paradise keeps summer alive this August with FREE community events, hot store opening set for September
SAN JOSE, Calif. – July 23, 2019 – Santana Row is keeping summer ablaze with a hot new store opening and free community events. Fitness studio Barry’s Bootcamp is getting ready to make its debut, but not before hosting a fun (and free!) pop-up event in Santana Row Park. This will come at the tail end of the scorching fun Santana Row’s calendar of events offers this August.
With locations across three different countries and a striking roster of celebrity clients, Barry’s Bootcamp has become the fitness junkie’s choice for getting in shape fast. On Thursday, September 12, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., the San Jose community is invited to come see what all the hype is about with a FREE pop-up fitness event! This 2-hour class will take place in Santana Row Park, where guests can meet the team and experience the Barry’s Bootcamp “lifestyle” for themselves.
For those market-goers who enjoy shopping locally, Santana Row has got you covered with an array of options for August. Indulge your artsy side at Makers Market in the Park on Saturday, August 3, from 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Stroll through the park as you shop handcrafted goods such as jewelry, ceramics, candles and more! Similarly, the Santana Row Farmers Market will take place each Wednesday in August from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Watch as the streets turn into a colorful marketplace offering organic produce, cheeses, herbs and beyond.
Santana Row’s calendar of events is also packed with FREE family fun this August. On Tuesday, August 13, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the Mommy & Me End of Summer Party will offer DIY sunglass decorating, face painting, balloon art, story time and more. Soaring ahead, kiddos will become superheroes at the Kidrageous Super Fun Run on Sunday, August 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Kids will get to run alongside real superheroes and unleash their powers at this annual event, benefitting Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Services.
Finally, for the petrolheads out there, Santana Row’s Cars & Croissants series will take place on Sunday, August 25 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Santana Row partners with 100|OCT to present this bi-monthly gathering for exotic car owners and enthusiasts.
Head to The Row for endless summer fun this August and September with unique, free events and community celebrations. Let the good times roll!
