School of Rock Opens in San Jose

A new music school has just opened at 5035 Almaden Expressway focusing on rock music (but not exclusive to that genre). There are classes for both kids and adults, novices and experts, and they specialize in a variety of instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals for both kids and adults. Sounds like a neat spin to make learning instruments more engaging for kids. Check out the video below for details.

Source: SVBJ, School of Rock San Jose

Saturday Stats: San Jose Nabs #1 Riches City Title

Median household income for the nation as a whole remained relatively unchanged between 2011 and 2012 and is still down in many areas compared to 2008. However, San Jose managed to take the crown away from Washington DC as the US's "richest" region based on 24/7 Wall St.'s analysis of 366 metro areas. You can see the top 5 cities below!

Source: 24/7 Wall St., Hat tip to Barclay Livker and Dan De La O for sending this in

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Top 5 Richest Cities

5. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.-N.H.
> Median household income: $71,738
> Population: 4,640,802 (10th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 6.1% (68th lowest)
> Poverty rate: 10.7% (24th lowest)

Compared with other metropolitan areas, the percentage of households earning over $200,000 in the Boston area is among the highest in the nation, at nearly 13%. One reason for this may be residents’ high levels of educational attainment. Last year, nearly 43% of adults over 25 had a college degree, well in excess of the national rate of 29.1%. Also, relatively high percentages of the workforce are involved in high-paying industries like financial services, as well as scientific and professional work — 8.4% and 14.0%, respectively. As of 2012, the Boston area had an unemployment rate of just 6.1%, two percentage points better than the 8.1% national rate, while job growth has picked up in recent years. Further, over 95% of residents have health insurance, one of the highest rates in the nation.

4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.> Median household income: $74,922
> Population: 4,455,560 (11th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 8.1% (148th highest)
> Poverty rate: 11.9% (51st lowest)

Last year, the San Francisco area had one of the highest percentages proportions of working residents employed in high-paying professional services fields, at nearly 18%. The area’s highly skilled workforce likely contributed to its exceptionally high median income, which was close to $75,000 last year. Alongside high incomes, however, the area has some of the nation’s steepest housing costs, with median gross rent at nearly $1,400 per month. According to Trulia, no housing market is less affordable than San Francisco, where the middle class could afford to buy just 14% of available homes in October. The cost of living in the city of San Francisco is so high that many would-be residents have elected to move to neighboring Oakland — in turn pushing up housing costs in some neighborhoods there as well.

3. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Conn.
> Median household income: $79,841
> Population: 933,835 (57th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 7.8% (tied-167th highest)
> Poverty rate: 8.9% (tied-8th lowest)

As of 2012, the Bridgeport metro area had one of the highest median incomes in the nation, at close to $80,000. Additionally, nearly 22% of the area’s households made over $200,000, the highest percentage in the nation. Contributing to the Bridgeport area’s wealth, the percentage of residents working in the high-paying finance and professional services sectors were among the highest in the nation last year. But the area also had the nation’s second-highest income inequality, as measured by its Gini index score. While crime and poverty have long been problems in Bridgeport, neighboring cities such as Greenwich are home to some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals.

2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.
> Median household income: $88,233
> Population: 5,804,333 (7th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.6% (46th lowest)
> Poverty rate: 8.4% (4th lowest)

Last year, 17% of households in the Washington, D.C., area had over $200,000 in income, higher than all but two other metro areas. Among the reasons for the area’s high income are a highly skilled workforce, with more than one in every five workers employed in high-paying professional services fields, more than anywhere else in the U.S. In May, The Wall Street Journal noted the area’s economy has expanded beyond government in recent years, and that past federal spending has contributed to the development of a skilled and well-connected professional workforce. Additionally, the Washington, D.C., area population is one of the nation’s most highly educated, with 48.2% of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree, more than all but a handful of other metro areas.

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.> Median household income: $90,737
> Population: 1,894,388 (32nd highest)
> Unemployment rate: 8.6% (112th highest)
> Poverty rate: 10.8% (28th lowest)

Median income in the San Jose metro area, which constitutes part of Silicon Valley, jumped from $85,736 in 2011 to $90,737 last year. San Jose had among the largest concentrations of high-paying professional services and information jobs in the nation. But the area is not only the wealthiest in the nation, it has also become one of the most-desired housing markets. Just 3.6% of housing units were vacant in 2012, down from 4.9% in 2008, while median gross rent reached $1,560 last year, more than any other metro area in the U.S. Home values also were the highest in the nation, with a median of $624,200. More than 20% of homes in the area were valued at over $1 million.

Cocoabella Chocolates Opens Third Chocolate Boutique in Valley Fair

Valley Fair's collection of exclusive/premier/boutique stores continues to expand dramatically. The latest store to join the club is Cocoabella Chocolates--which only has two other locations and procures rare chocolates from around the world. They will be located right beside the new luxury wing and I have a feeling they will be doing really well in this mall. See the full press release below.

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San Jose, CA—Cocoabella Chocolates, curator of small batch, artisanal chocolates from around the world, brings their founder’s hand-selected pieces closer to its South Bay clientele by opening the brand’s third chocolate boutique in the Luxury Wing on Level 1 at Westfield Valley Fair, located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

 

Their award-winning chocolatiers’ works have been served at the Belgian Royal Palace, Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, at The Ritz-Carlton, and Four Seasons hotel dining rooms around the world.  Cocoabella Chocolates is also the only retailer in the country authorized to carry Thomas Haas truffles and Pierre Marcolini bars since 2012.

Years of careful curation and commitment to quality have earned Cocoabella Chocolates the privilege to receive extremely limited quantity batches fresh from the artisans’ kitchens. Each chocolate is flown to San Francisco within hours of its creation.  “Not only that, when a client orders from us for delivery through warm weather, we protect their gift with cooling packs and insulation to ensure they arrive at peak quality. I want to share the experience of tasting that perfect piece of chocolate while traveling the great chocolate regions of Europe.” says Cocoabella Chocolates CEO Michael Freeman.

 

Cocoabella Chocolates’ Westfield Valley Fair boutique, located adjacent to the shopping center’s Luxury Wing entrance, is now open.

About CocoaBella Chocolates

CocoaBella Chocolates is the leading retailer of small batch, artisanal chocolates from around the world. Founded by Michael Freeman in 2004, he has traveled the world to assemble the finest chocolates and CocoaBella Chocolates now offer more than 180 different chocolates from 18 chocolatiers and 5 countries at two San Francisco retail locations and online at www.cocoabella.com. 

The Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ) Free Movie Night

The PAC*SJ is hosting a great event for anyone that is interested in San Jose's history. They will be screening several films showcasing San Jose in the 50's, along with an era-appropriate pot luck (think Vahl's Restaurant in Alviso) and costume contest. All of the details are below:

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The Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ) will be hosting their traditional Movie Night on November 14, 2013 to celebrate San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley.

The event will be held at:

San Jose Woman’s Club
75 South 11th Street, San Jose

The doors will open at 6:15. This event begins with a potluck of 1950’s dishes contributed by the guests, who are encouraged to wear vintage outfits from the 1930’s - 1950's.

The movies will include promotional films about Dole canning and downtown San Jose in the 1950’s, old commercials, views of the spring blossoms and Moffett Field, and very early movies from the Edison Studio of the Hotel Vendome and Lick Observatory.

In addition to the great food and entertainment, there will be a silent auction and a Holiday Boutique table with period items.

There will be prizes for the best recipes and costumes.

The event is free to the public. Many streets in the area offer free parking after 6:00, but guests may choose to park in the SJSU parking garage on 10th Street for $5.00.

KT Properties Towers Alternate Concept

The Downtown San Jose market for high-rise projects has been on fire lately and we are in the privileged position of being able to demand more from future projects. We no longer have to settle for whatever we can get as seen in the redesigns for Hampton Inn and One South. With KT Properties' two tower project across the street from the San Pedro Square Market, they hit the ground running with what I think is a pretty solid initial design. However, what if it could be better?

If you look at the bottom two images, you can see an alternate concept that places the towers in an L shape instead of a "twin" configuration. I can see several benefits with the configuration. It would add a greater sense of volume and dynamics to the skyline from every direction. It would create a stronger retail pavilion adjacent to the SPSM with more potential for outdoor space since the tower would be further back instead of almost directly on top of the main retail area. It would also better highlight the historic Fallon House as a centerpiece for the area.

What do you guys think about the L-shaped concept verses the twin tower design?

Santa Clara Megaprojects

There are plans for two massive development projects around the new 49ers Stadium in Santa Clara. The first is a $1.5 billion dollar project (more than the cost of the stadium) that would include 1.5 million SQFT of retail (this is more retail than all of Valley Fair mall), 2.4 million SQFT of office, a 200 room hotel, and 500 residential units. You can see the first conceptual drawing below and the soonest it would break ground is 2016.

The second is a $400 million project led by Joe Montana that would consist of two hotels totaling 235 rooms, 150,000 SQFT of restaurant/retail space, and 430,000 SQFT of office. The first phase of this project would ideally be up and running by the Super Bowl in 2016.

While these projects are not directly in San Jose, they may impact San Jose in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, this could have a catalyzing effect on the whole region and attract more investment dollars to the South Bay, especially North San Jose. Obvious it would give San Joseans a new retail and entertainment anchor to visit. On the flip side, this could draw more tax dollars to the city of Santa Clara and hurt business for the current Silicon Valley retail megacenter: Santana Row + Valley Fair.

What do you guys think about these projects?

Source: SVBJ

Two New Proposed Downtown Apartment Buildings!

The good news for Downtown development keeps on trickling in. Last week two new proposals came in for major residential development projects. The first is a 19-story hi-rise at Post St. and San Pedro (next to Myth and right around the corner from One South Market). This would consist of 156 units consisting of studios, 1BD, 2BD, and 3BD apartments. There would also be large amenity decks on the 4th and 17th floors, underground parking, and 4,100 SQFT of retail. The location of the proposed building can be seen in the 3rd image below.

The second project would consist of a 7-story building with 195 units (studios, 1BD, and 2BD apartments) on 1.4 acres fronting Saint James Park and First Street. This would be the first residential project of this scope to break ground in the area, and hopefully could be a catalyst to cleaning up the park. As for retail, this would include a corner Cafe.

The Downtown skyline is going to be quite a bit different 5 years from now!

Source: Joseph Meduri, SVBJ

Santana Row November/December Updates

Santana Row November 2013 Happenings

And A Look Ahead to December and the New Year

Events, Promotions, New Openings at Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination


San Jose, CA (Oct. 30, 2013) – Happy holidays are on the way to The Row with the annual tree lighting ceremony, a Silicon Valley family tradition. In the spirit of giving, Santana Row hosts the “One Warm Coat” drive again this season as well as benefit events for Humane Society Silicon Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank. An eagerly anticipated retailer, C. Wonder, opens in time for a season of splendid shopping.

C. Wonder

Grand opening weekend, Nov. 1 and 2

C. Wonder offers a wide assortment of beautiful, versatile and spirited products for all areas of its customer’s life. The store includes women’s clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories; housewares and home décor; personal electronics, great gifts and delightful surprises, such as the city bike. The collection is edited to offer solely must-haves - key items to enhance a room, refresh a wardrobe or inspire a memorable experience.

The 3,824 square-foot store at 377 Santana Row is a jubilant celebration of design and discovery for home and wardrobe and an inviting destination for shoppers. With breathtaking, always-changing window and floor displays, gorgeous decorative schemes, and intriguing surprises to uncover the world of C. Wonder is a sensory experience not to be missed.

Club One at Santana Row presents Sip n’ Shop for the Holidays

Nov. 8, 6 to 9 p.m.

Sip champagne and enjoy complimentary chair massages, salt and sugar rubs, acupuncture demos, complimentary hair and makeup touchups at this shop-and-pamper-yourself event. Also on hand are yoga and pilates experts and personal trainers who want to inspire you to stay fit and healthy through the holidays. A

boutique-style trunk show will feature consignment designer clothing, handbags and accessories. To RSVP and for more information, contact Marty Behler, 408.985.5555 or marty.behler@clubone.com.

Santana Row’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Santana Row begins the 2013 holiday season with the annual Light Up the Row Tree Lighting Ceremony, a joyous day of celebration for the entire family.

The day of holiday festivities begins at 3 p.m. with photos with The Nutcracker and Marie from Ballet San Jose. The fun continues throughout the afternoon and evening with live music, costumed characters, special guests and performances by local theater and dance groups.

The highlight of the day takes place at 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park with the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, one of the most exciting holiday events in Silicon Valley.

A lively mix of entertainment on the main stage includes a performance by the San Jose Repertory Company’s Snow Queen and the ballerinas of Ballet San Jose.

Many of the restaurants will offer dining specials, kid-friendly menus and holiday-themed cocktails during the event. In-store parties, hot chocolate sampling, cookies and appetizers will also add to the festivities of the day.

Details: The celebration is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tree lighting slated for 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park. Photos with The Nutcracker and Marie are $10 and live entertainment includes a special performance by Andy Z. Other activities include live entertainment, ornament making and more.

Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too:  “Give Thanks”

Tuesday, Nov. 12 and every second Tuesday through December

The holidays remind us to pull together and help those less fortunate and November’s program encourages kids to bring a canned food item that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Holiday fun includes face painting, balloon animals, Arts & Crafts with Action Day. Moms and kids will be entertained by music and performances by Ballet San Jose School and Andy Z. Snacks are provided by Happy Family Brands and there’s a drawing to win a $50 gift card from The Container Store.

When: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Let’s Shop! Black Friday events at Santana Row Friday, Nov. 29

The day-after-Thanksgiving shopping tradition at Santana Row includes discounts, door buster morning specials and treats throughout the day. Many stores are offering customers 25 percent to 70 percent off merchandise all weekend with giveaways such as free totes, gift cards with purchase and holiday refreshments throughout the day.

Santana Row hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday, with many stories extending hours during the Black Friday weekend. For a comprehensive listing of retail and restaurant events and offerings, visit www.SantanaRow.com.

“One Warm Coat” Drop-off with KTVU’s Rosy Chu

Friday, Nov. 29 is Kickoff ; drive continues through Dec. 31

The annual coat drive begins at 6 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving with KTVU’s Rosy Chu broadcasting live from Santana Row Park. Donate a new or gently used coat and it will be given to a needy family this winter. The first 100 people to donate a coat will receive a $10 Santana Row Gift Card. Drop-off locations include CineArts Theatre, Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table and the Santana Row Concierge. The charity coat drive continues through Dec. 31.

For more information: call 408.551.4611 or visitwww.santanarow.com.

Santana Row holiday hours:

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Christmas: Closed

New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Year’s Day: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow Invites Tweets #LifeOnTheRow

For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row

Join Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then Tweet it to Santana Row with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

A look ahead to December and the New Year…

“Shop, Enjoy and Give” Holiday Wine & Dine Around: A Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank

Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Tuesdays

Help those in need while you complete your holiday shopping during Santana Row’s “Shop, Enjoy & Give” event that benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. Purchase a $10 ticket on SantanaRow.com or at the Concierge center and receive complimentary food and wine tastings in Santana Row shops and restaurants between 6 and 8 p.m.on designated Tuesdays. Also included: a signature Santana Row wine glass and exclusive holiday shopping discounts. Bring a donation of canned food when you purchase your ticket and receive $2 off the ticket. (Customers must be 21 years or older.)

Menorah Lighting at Santana Row Park

Sunday, Dec. 4

Santana Row celebrates the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights with kosher treats, entertainment and activities that include decorating dreidels, Jewish story time, arts & crafts and the lighting of the Menorah. The evening is co-hosted with the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and The PJ Library. The celebration will take place from4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Park Valencia.

Santa Paws, a Benefit for Humane Society Silicon Valley

Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your canine and feline friends to Santana Row's Park Valencia for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus. Photos are $20 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at Park Valencia.

Meet Carolyn Jung, author of “San Francisco Chef’s Table” and

Chef Vittal Shetty of Amber India

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon celebrating the publication of "San Francisco Chef's Table,''  by award-winning Bay Area food writer Carolyn Jung. Among the featured restaurants and chefs in her debut cookbook: Amber India and its chef, Vittal Shetty, whose recipes for Tandoori Chicken and Stuffed Portobello Asparagus Paneer are included in the book. Chef Shetty will hold a cooking demonstration of the featured South Asian taste treats and a book-signing and samples of the dishes will follow the demo.

Enter a drawing to win a copy of the book and a gift certificate to Amber India at the free event, which will be held outdoors in Santana Row Park.

Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too: “Celebrate the Season”

Dec. 10 and every second Tuesday of the month, through December

The last Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too for the year includes live entertainment from Andy Z, story time with Mrs. Claus, sampling from Happy Baby Brands, mini manicures from Lavande nail salon, a raffle from The Container Store, arts and crafts with Action Day Primary Plus, Balloon Animals and Face Painting and more!

When: 10 a.m. to noon, weather permitting, at Park Valencia. The rainy day/cold weather location is the lobby of CineArts theater. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the secondTuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Rainy Day Rewards, Nov. 1 through March 31, 2014

When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, shoppers and diners braving bad weather will be rewarded with discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.

No need to get wet: On all rainy days, customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row - outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking Garage.

Chinese New Year Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 22

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Santana Row celebrates the Year of the Horse with an afternoon of Chinese New Year festivities, including the exciting drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Dragon and Lion dances and other traditional live performances celebrating the start of a new year.

Third Annual 408K Race to the Row, Sunday, March 2 

The eight-kilometer road race that benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation and its Team Tillman initiative is winding through the streets of San Jose for the third year in a row. It starts at HP Pavilion and ends at Santana Row. The 8K event last year drew more than 4,000 runners.

For information and registration, go to: www.run408k.com.

About Santana Row

Santana Row a 1.5 million square foot mixed used development in the heart of San Jose, California, is Silicon Valley's premier destination for shopping,

dining, living and nightlife. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, parks and plazas, Santana Row features over 70 retail shops, more than 20 acclaimed restaurants, a 212-room boutique hotel and six-screen movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail collection, Santana Row offers 622 residential units featuring a fitness center, rooftop pool and resort-living accommodations, and 65,000 square feet of office space at 300 Santana Row, its newest office address. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visitwww.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, and redevelopment of high quality retail real estate in the country’s best markets.  As of September 30, 2012, Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contained approximately 19.1 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.1% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of September 30, 2012, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.1% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 45 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For more information, please visit www.federalrealty.com.