Centerra Breaks Ground Today!

Thanks "Good New Boy" (a quasi-anonymous poster) for the heads up! If anyone has photos feel free to send them in.

Misora @ Santana Row

I received a whole stack of photos from Santana Row's latest residential project, called Misora. This is located right behind California Cafe and Lark Creek Blue and consists of Studios, 1-2 Bedroom Flats, 1-2 Bedroom Lofts, and Townhomes. The amenities and location are as good as it gets, and prices range from the high $2k/mo range all the way up to $10k/mo. The photos below are courtesy of Imagetel Photography.

New Japantown Project Moves Forward!

There appears to be no shortage of San Jose projects getting off the ground lately. The former La-Z-Boy warehouse is going to transformed into 166 units of luxury apartment living at 825 N. 10th Street. The development will feature studios, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom apartments ranging from $1,600 to $2,800 per month. As for amenities, they are shooting for "boutique-hotel living." There will be a nice pool (pictured below), a yoga studio, workout area, and I'm sure much more.

Contractors are going to start work immediately on the industrial conversion. Construction should take 17 months with leasing starting in late 2014 or early 2015.

There is also work on an 80 unit for-sale project across the street and a major mixed-use project on the city corporation yard with 600 units. I have a feeling we're going to need more than one Bikeshare station in Japantown!

Source: SVBJ

Little Italy San Jose Updates!

So it looks like there is some movement in San Jose's new Little Italy neighborhood. First off, Paesano's is about to get some company. Bel Bacio Cafe should be opening any week now and they are also trying to get a Pizzeria/Wine Bar. The giant arch at the entrance of Little Italy is a go (design below). Last but not least, they are raising $360,000 to purchase and restore a 1910 Victorian house in Little Italy and turn it into an Italian museum to honor the contribution of Italian Americans in Santa Clara County. So far, they have already raised at least $280,000.

Keep on trekking guys, it sounds like you are making some serious progress!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joshua DeVincenzi Melander

Please Help and Spread the word. We have been working hard to raise $360,000 to purchase a property in Little Italy into an Italian American Museum and Cultural Facility. We have raised $280,000 and have secured the In Kind donations for renovation of the Home.

We need $80,000 in the next two weeks!!!

We have Bel Bacio Cafe opening in a few weeks, a 31 foot Arch going up soon, are in the works for a pizzeria/Wine Bar. Help us get the property for the museum!!!

http://www.razoo.com/story/Little-Italy-San-Jose-Museum-Cultural-Center-Project

Saturday Stats: San Jose Ranks as 2nd Most "Thriving" City in America

The Daily Beast has put together a list of urban areas whose economies have been improving faster than most in the US. San Jose ranks 2nd on the list! They looked only at the 100 largest metros and compared their population growth (20% weight), employment and earnings (30% weight), market strength (20% weight), infrastructure (15% weight), and intellectual capital (15% weight). Below are the results!

America's Thriving Cities

1.) Irvine

2.) San Jose

3.) Fremont

4.) Austin

5.) San Francisco

6.) Seattle

7.) Plano

8.) Gilbert

9.) Orlando

10.) San Diego

Source: The Daily Beast, Hat tip to Dan

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + STREET MRKT Today!

From Phantom Galleries:

Cement Eclipses at Anno Domini Gallery

The South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + Street Mrkt is this Friday, Sept. 6th, 7-11pm.
In addition to 22 participating art walk venues, there's the Street Mrkt with 60 amazing artists and indie creatives selling their work directly to art walk patrons. On the live music stage is the Sunrunners + Light Thieves + Curious Quail with emcee David Knight.
Check out the full line up here: www.southfirstfridays.com
Join the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/ArtWalkSJ
and here's a map you can print out or save to your smart phone.

Smashburger Now Open at San Jose Market Center

The first Smashburger in Silicon Valley just opened up at the San Jose Market Center! The gourmet burger joint competes with other restaurants like The Counter and Five Guys. They differentiate themselves with creative toppings, Haagen-Dasz milkshakes, and craft beer. Based on Yelp, the chain is highly reviewed and I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to have one of these in the South Bay.

Eventually they plan to open a total of five stores in San Jose, and 10 more in the greater Silicon Valley area.

Source: SVBJ