Centerra is Breaking Ground Soon!

We are getting so close to seeing some shovels in the ground Downtown for two high-rise projects. I'm not sure which one to be more excited about. One South Market have a more central location Downtown, but Centerra is going to be located right across the street from the San Pedro Square Market and will very likely make a substantial contribution to the restaurant, retail, and culture scene that is emerging there. Not only will it be supplying more customers, but the project will be adding retail of its own facing the Market. This is unlikely, but I think it would be pretty amazing if they are able to keep the same small-vendor configuration as the SPSM for their retail to create more synergy in the area.

Anyway, here are some quick facts about Centerra:

• 347 units
• 21 stories
• 80% of the units will be one or two bedroom
• Average unit size is 935 SQFT
• Most units will have private balconies
• 7,000 SQFT of retail facing the San Pedro Square Market
• The parking structure is in the center of the building and is completely wrapped in apartment units, hiding it entirely (sweet!)
• There will be a special area for dogs (also, Andy's Pet Shop is across the street)
• A bike shop/storage area is going to be located on the ground floor
• Other amenities include a pool, hot tub, kitchen area, and gym

They are targeting the ground breaking for summer and it will take about two years to build out. Can't wait!

Source: SVBJ

DJ Fresh One Heads to San Jose's Myth Taverna

SAN DIEGO, CA -- May 1, 2013 -- On Wednesday, May 11, 2013, DJ Fresh One  from Sleeping Giant Music (SGM), will be making a stop in San Jose as part of his summer tour.

Taking place at Myth Taverna & Lounge, the party rockin' DJ, currently sponsored by LRG, will be bringing his San Diego roots up to northern California for the night.

In addition to his summer tour, Fresh One will be celebrating the nine year anniversary of his booking agency, Sleeping Giant Music, while simultaneously opening San Diego's premiere recording studio.

"I created SGM to have a career aside from DJing that still incorporated what I was doing in studio and at nightclubs, and also included my passion for music," said Fresh One. "It's been a long standing dream."

As a result of his consistent crowd pleasing performances and dedication to his craft, Fresh One has gained residencies nationwide in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Jose, San Diego, Phoenix and Miami.

Myth Taverna & Lounge is located at 152 Post Street, San Jose, CA. Myth is in the heart of downtown San Jose, featuring an elegant indoor setting as well as a chic and comfortable patio. Live music and DJs spin house, techno, and old school seven nights a week.

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Cinco de Mayo at the Market!

If you missed the festivities yesterday, the Cinco de Mayo party is continuing today at the San Pedro Square Market. Info below:

San Pedro Square Market Special Events:Cinco De Mayo festivities on both SATURDAY and SUNDAY at the market!  Join us on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 and Sunday, May 5th, 2013 for a series of drink and food specials with the market vendors.  Enjoy a day in the plaza with margaritas from the Market Bar, and Tacos galore from Loteria Taco Bar, and special activities with Ay Dios Mio.

Special Family Fun Day with Ay Dios Mio: Arts & Crafts, a Salsa Dancing Demo, and historic walking tours of downtown. See you there!

Silicon Valley is #2 For Wealth Concentration

Based on census data, a staggering 15.9% of Silicon Valley residents rank in the richest 5% of the US. That means that those 15.9% are making at least $191,469 a year. Surprisingly, this is still not enough for the top spot. A Connecticut suburb outside of NYC won the gold medal with 17.9% of households belonging to the top 5% club. In 3rd place behind San Jose was Washington DC. San Francisco and NYC were tied for 4th place with 10% of earners in the top 5%.

Source: SVBJ

South FIRST Fridays Tonight!

The weather is going to be amazing tonight, so what better day to come out and enjoy Downtown's SoFA district? At least 22 venues will be participating in the art crawl today, including newcomer Umpqua Bank on Santa Clara Street. I have a feeling it will be a great event tonight! To see a preview of the art that will be featured, just head over here.

New Downtown San Jose Wikedly Fast WiFi

Downtown now has one of the fastest free WiFi hotspots in the US! The city partnered with SmartWAVE Technologies and Ruckus Wireless to launch the "Wickedly Fast Wi-FI Network" which is available in the area bound by East St. John, Balbach Street and Viola, North 6th, and Almaden Boulevard.

The network will only cost the city a $94,000 one-time fee and $22,000 annually, the same as the previous network.

There are a few gaps in coverage right now, but those should be addressed by the end of the summer. You can click the image below to see where all of the current and planned access point locations are. Also, the Wickedly Fast WiFi webpage is over here.

Source: SVBJ

Instagrammers Silicon Valley Meet-up & Night Walk: Friday May 3rd

Are you on Instagram? Do the words amaro, valencia, earlybird, or hefe mean anything to you? Do you find yourself stopping every few feet while walking around Downtown (or another part of the city) snapping photos and telling people to "Hold on, I gotta share this!"

Well good news, you're among friends!

This Friday, at the South FIRST FRIDAY event, Instagrammers Silicon Valley is holding a meet-up and night walk.

Just make sure your cell phone is charged and ready to snap photos. The group meets at 6pm at McCormick & Schmick's for Happy Hour and then will start the walk at 7pm.

Meet up with fellow Instagram enthusiasts and photographers while enjoying the evening's FIRST FRIDAY event.

Instagram Accounts to follow:

Instagrammers Silicon Valley
@igerssv

The San Jose Blog
@thesanjoseblog


See you there!

New Mural on Empire Street in Japantown

A killer new mural was just added to Japantown at Empire & 7th Street. More info and photos below:

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EMPIRE SEVEN STUDIOS ANNOUNCES NEW MURAL ON 7TH AND EMPIRE STREETS
San Jose Artist Sam Rodriguez Partners with Gallery to Paint Mural in Japantown

Empire Seven Studios owner, Juan Carlos Araujo, partnered up with local artist Sam Rodriguez to have a mural painted at the intersection of 7th and Empire Streets, located in San Jose’s Japantown. Araujo wanted to bring some positive attention to his neighborhood by having a large mural painted on the side of a building. Rodriguez, who works as a graphic designer for Cukui Clothing, was eager to be a part of the project.

The mural, which took a week from conception to completion, shows a man’s expressive eyes looking outwards. Rodriguez used spray paint for his artwork, which was painted on corrugated aluminum. Also known for his work as a graffiti artist, Rodriguez says he had to gain confidence at first with his more recent artistic style before doing such a large project. As for the subject of his mural, the artist would not specify. “It’s open to interpretation,” Rodriguez says.

Response for the mural has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Araujo says a surprising benefit to the mural is the slowing down of passing cars. “There is a big speeding problem here,” Araujo says. “People slow down to look at the mural now.”

Araujo hopes to bring more murals to San Jose in the near future, partnering with local businesses and residential owners. He hopes to use the series of murals as attractions in otherwise overlooked neighborhoods. “There’s such easy access to murals,” Araujo says. “The goal is to bring the community together.”

For more information about Empire Seven Studios or Sam Rodriguez, please email empiresevenstudios@yahoo.com or call Empire Seven Studios at 408.638.7846.

Twitter: @empire7studios
Instagram: @empire7studios