Westgate Expansion Has Broken Ground

Federal Realty (which also owns Santana Row) recently wrapped up a $15 million renovation at Westgate Center. Those upgrades were focused around improving existing space. However, they have just broken ground on another renovation project that will result in a new 14,400 SQFT retail building at the corner of Saratoga and West Campbell Avenue. This is where the RetroDome used to sit.

The new structure will have a Corner Bakery Cafe, Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe, and Verizon Wireless. There is also room for a fifth tenant in the building. The Corner Bakery Cafe will be the first in San Jose. The only other Santa Clara County location is in Palo Alto. As for Veggie Grill, this is one of the hottest vegetarian restaurants on the West Coast. This will be their second Northern California location and the only other one is at Santana Row. I'm a complete carnivore and even I love this restaurant.

The project should be completed by fall. You can find the full release below.

Westgate Center Has Broken Ground Again

Offering New Retailers in Coveted Corner Spot

Four tenants signed: Corner Bakery Café, The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless

San Jose, CA (Feb. 25, 2014) – Federal Realty Investment Trust, owners of Westgate Center, recently completed a $15 million major renovation transforming the 52-year-old mall into a one-stop destination offering family-friendly amenities and high quality retailers.

In an effort to continually improve and enhance the experience at Westgate Center, Federal Realty has announced that construction has begun on the center’s retail pad site located on the heavily traveled corner of Saratoga Avenue and West Campbell Avenue.  The ideal corner site will include the addition of four new tenants, including San Jose’s first Corner Bakery Café.

The new 14,400 sq.-foot retail building, in a highly visible spot near a popular shopping area, will also include The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless, with space for a fifth yet-to-be-named tenant. Construction should to be completed in the fall.

Corner Bakery Café, known for its delectable Cinnamon Crème Coffee Cake and tasty meals, is opening this fall at Westgate Center.

The fast-casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers baked goods in a bright, family-friendly atmosphere. Prices range from 99 cents to $9.99 and choices include sandwiches, soups, pastas and breakfast specials. The menu also features kids’ selections, seasonal items, healthy fare and treats such as cookies, cakes and pies. The Westgate Center location will seat about 100 diners inside and 40 diners in an outdoor area. It is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe was founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends. For more information, go towww.cornerbakerycafe.com.

.

The Veggie Grill, home of the popular “All Hail Kale” salad, serves healthy, light, vegetarian fare as well as gluten-free and soy-free items. Classic American favorites like soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches as well as creative dishes such as burritos, bowls and “Buffalo wings” are made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.

Named one of L.A.’s “can’t miss” cheap-eats by Los Angeles magazine and best vegetarian/vegan restaurant by the Orange County Register, The Veggie Grill is scheduled to open in the fall.

For more information, go to www.veggiegrill.com.

The Vitamin Shoppe, dedicated to helping people fulfill their health and wellness needs, is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products ranging from vitamins and minerals to nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and health and beauty aids. The store offers more than 18,000 items from 400-plus brands. The Vitamin Shoppe at Westgate is scheduled to open this fall. For more information, go to www.vitaminshoppe.com.

Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile network operator in the U.S., is opening a retail store at Westgate where customers can shop for wireless services as well as mobile phones and accessories. Verizon will open this fall. For more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Westgate Center
Westgate Center, located in San Jose, California is a 645,000 square-foot community center offering a one-stop family destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Westgate Center features over 50 shops and restaurants and is anchored by Target, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack, Michaels, Any Mountain and Ross. Westgate Center is a property of Federal Realty Investment Trust www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit shopwestgatecenter.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, 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 95.8% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of December 31, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.5% 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 46 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.

Try Whiskey Barrel-Aged Sriracha @ Konjoe Tomorrow

Sosu Sauces--maker of artisan sauces and condiments--is bringing their new Kickstarter-backed Whiskey Barrel-Aged Sriracha to Konjoe Burger at the San Pedro Square Market tomorrow (March 4th). For one night only, Konjoe's Cheeseburger will be made using the new sauce. I love Sriracha in pretty much everything (especially Pho), but I think it will go great with Konjoe's offerings.

The event runs from 5pm to 9pm and Sosu Sauces will be there doing Sriracha tastings. For more info check out the Sosu website.

Fogo de Chão Now Open at Santana Row!

Epic Brazilian Churrascaria, Fogo de Chão, has opened their first Northern California restaurant in Northern California at Santana Row. The restaurant is massive--clocking in at about 9,000 SQFT with seating for 250 people, outdoor dining, private dining, and a sizable bar.

I had the opportunity to try out the restaurant during the soft opening last week, and was not disappointed. In fact, I think this is the best Brazillian Steakhouse that I have been to, including Pampas in Palo Alto, Espetus in San Mateo, and Maceio which was in Downtown San Jose.

When you visit, my recommendation is to come very hungry. They food is all-you-can-eat with a special focus on amazing steaks. Gauchos carve one of 16 different meat variations right at your table. These range from bacon wrapped filet mignon, to legs of lamb, beef ribs, linguica sausages, Parmesan pork loin, and my favorite by far... the Picanha. To complement the meats they have a whole side bar of veggies and sides. I recommend getting a plate of rice, topping it with black beans, then adding a traditional Brazilian topping called farofa (you have to ask for it) with some hot red sauce. This goes well with all of the meats. Also, you can't leave without trying a Caipirinha, a traditional Briazilian drink with Cachaca, lime, and sugar. Lastly, for dessert you must have the flan and the cheesecake. At this point, you will feel like you are about to explode, but believe me it is worth finding some room for these.

For lots of photos and a thorough review, I would recommend checking out Ngoc's post at the San Jose Food Blog. That is also where I stole the photo below.

From the San Jose Food Blog

FOGO DE CHÃO OPENS FIRST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION

ON FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Authentic Southern Brazilian Steakhouse Brings the Best of Churrasco to Santana Row in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (February 25, 2014) — Internationally renowned Southern Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão (pronounced fo-go dèe shoun), opens its first Northern California location on Thursday, February 27, 2014. The restaurant, which offers upscale Churrasco(barbeque) cuisine, is located at Santana Row in San Jose, Silicon Valley’s premiere destination for shopping, dining, living, and more.

“We are excited to celebrate our first restaurant in Northern California in the heart of Silicon Valley and join the community at Santana Row,” says Fogo de Chão Chief Executive Officer Larry Johnson. “Like Brazil, the Bay Area is home to some of the best food in the world. We are looking forward to introducing the Southern Brazilian Steakhouse experience and the culinary traditions behind it to San Jose.

The Fogo de Chão dining experience is based on the centuries-old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open fire, and sharing dining experiences with family and friends. To see the story of Fogo de Chão from the perspective of one of their gauchos, visit the documentary-style video recently filmed on a return trip to the farms of Brazil by clicking here. 

The menu focuses on 16 cuts of meat including beef, chicken, pork, and lamb carved tableside by a team of Brazilian trained gaucho chefs, led by Head Gaucho Chef Helio dos Santos Vieira. The prix-fixe experience invites guests to dine at their own pace using a double-sided, red and green disk indicating when they are ready to try the various selections of meat. This approach allows them to enjoy a variety of meats with each new cut coming right from the grill and carved tableside.

Highlights include the Picanha, the prime part of the sirloin, seasoned with sea salt or flavored with garlic – a Brazilian specialty; Cordeiro,fresh leg of lamb flavored with a special mint marinade and sliced off the bone; and Fraldinha, a bottom sirloin cut that is one of the most distinctive and flavorful cuts of meat from Southern Brazil. The restaurant also features a gourmet salad and side bar with more than 30 selections of fresh cut vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, and traditional Brazilian side dishes including Pão de Queijo – a warm cheese bread,Crispy Hot Polenta, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Caramelized Bananas.

The menu is complemented by an award-winning 200 label wine list featuring selections from around the globe including Malbec and Carmenère varietals from South America, to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The restaurant also boasts a South American-inspired cocktail program, including many traditional drinks from Brazil, such as the Caipirinha, as well as a selection of Brazilian and domestic beers, premium liquors, after-dinner drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. The dessert menu features indulgences such as Fogo de Chão Signature Papaya Cream, Key Lime Pie, and Molten Chocolate Cake.

The nearly 9,000-square-feet, 250-seat restaurant, located on the corner of Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue at Santana Row, blends contemporary Northern Californian and Brazilian design and features a mix of textures, colors and materials. In addition to the main dining area, Fogo de Chão features outdoor seating, a lively bar, and three semi-private dining areas that can be combined to make larger rooms, seating from 22 to 110. With its location in the heart of Silicon Valley the restaurant was designed with the tech-savvy crowd in mind, offering fully connected private dining spaces including touch screen televisions and 60-inch projector screens, wired for everything from presentations to video conferencing. The focus on technology also flows into the bar area, which features numerous AC and USB outlets for charging phones and laptops as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

Fogo de Chão is located at 377 Santana Row in San Jose, California. It is the 23rd location in the U.S., with 32 restaurants worldwide.

Hours of operation and pricing are as follows:

Lunch – beginning Monday, March 3
$29.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $22.50)
Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dinner – beginning Thursday, February 27
$51.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $26.50)
Monday through Thursday 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00-10:30 p.m.
Saturday 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Sunday 4:00-9:30 p.m.

Children 6 and under are complimentary. Children 7 to 12 are half price.  Any beverages, desserts, tax, and gratuity are additional.  An 18% gratuity is added to all parties of 6 or more.

For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

About Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão^® Churrascaria - Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 22 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent openings in New York City and the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo. A location in Portland, Oregon will follow in 2014. For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

San Jose State Has FIVE Major Projects Underway!

SJSU has five--yes five--major projects happening right now. They add up to a total of more than a quarter billion dollars of new development, and one of them includes a 10-story tower that will house 850 students. I walked through the campus a few weeks ago and was surprised to see so many areas fenced off.

Below are a couple recent photos of the new Student Union building (top) and the new Student Health and Counseling Center taken by Joseph Meduri (who also sent in the tip on these projects). If you keep scrolling down, you will get a quick synopsis of the projects underway.

Student Union Expansion & Renovation The project will add approximately 100,000 SF of expansions and renovate existing Student Union. The building will have new ballroom, food court,theater, meeting rooms, and student program spaces. Status - Construction Phase Construction Duration: 9/2010-6/2014 Total Construction Estimate: $65,000,000
Spartan Complex Renovation The primary project objectives are to upgrade the existing structural system of the complex to be concurrent with the current building codes,correct ADA deficiencies,correct fire life safety deficiencies,construct new infrastructure, make program modifications, and hazmat abatement. Status - Construction Phase Phase I Construction consists of the YUH and YUH Annex, from 7/2013 -7/2014 Phase II construction consists of SPXC and SPXE, from 8/2014-8/2015
Student Health & Counseling Center The project is a new 3 story 52,000 SF building located on 7th Street and Paseo de San Carlos. The building will house Student Health Center, Counseling Services and Wellness Center. Status - Construction Phase Construction Duration: 6/2013-1/2015 Total Construction Estimate: $24,600,000
Spartan Stadium End Zone Building The 61,000 SF facility will house sports medicine and athletic training space, a football team locker room, football coaching staff offices, meeting rooms, a hall of fame, and an auditorium. The facility will serve the day-to-day operations of the athletic department,and provide hospitality space on game days. It will be located at the South Campus site,north of Spartan Stadium. Status - Design Phase Construction Duration: 2/2014-9/2015 Total Construction Estimate: $32,000,000
Campus Village Phase 2 A new 850 bed student housing is being proposed at the corner of 9th Street and Peseo de San Carlos. The new building will house up to 850 beds, common study rooms, lounge, multi-purpose room, recreation space, and other support spaces. It is expected to be a 10 story high rise building. Status - Planning Phase Construction Duration: 6/2014-7/2016 Total Construction Estimate: $100,000,000

The Table Distiller's Dinner

The Table is one of the hottest restaurants in San Jose. The concept is farm-to-table seasonal cuisine in a gastropub-style atmosphere in Willow Glen. They are branching out a bit and partnering with St. George Spirits to do a "Distiller's Dinner" featuring 4 courses, 4 spirits, and 4 cocktails.

These are the types of events local restaurants need to think about to help elevate our dining scene to the next level. We are missing a lot of the food pairing events that highlight both local chefs and the purveyors of fine liquids that make us happy. I'm glad to see an event like this at The Table.

The Distiller's Dinner is happening on Monday, March 10th at 6:30pm. For more information and reservations, you can head over to The Table's website right over here.

Saturday Stats: America's Super Cities (Best-Performing Metros 2014)

SpareFoot put together an infographic showing a list of US cities to watch in 2014. They relied on data from the Milken Institute as well as several media outlets. San Jose made the list! They even posted a great quote from Business Insider: "With a powerful ecosystem of startups established companies, universities, investors, and a deep talent pool, San Jose remains the most impressive tech neighborhood in the world."

Check out the full infographic over here.

Bowling Alley and 24 Hour Fitness Coming to Eastridge

Eastridge Mall is adding two new non-shopping tenants to spice up the retail mix. The first is an 18-lane Round1 bowling alley. This is a Japanese chain that is known for incorporating karaoke rooms, arcades, and billiards into their facilities. The Eastridge Round1 will be about 50,000 SQFT. The second tenant is a 24 Hour Fitness that will come in around 40,000 SQFT. Both of these will be located in the space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond and it looks like they are under construction right now.

Source: SVBJ, Hat-tip to Arnold Kwok

Signature Flight Support Breaking Ground Today at SJC

Signature Flight's $82 million private jet terminal at SJC breaks ground later today. It will house Google's fleet as well as the jet fleets for other large Silicon Valley businesses. This means more tax dollars for the City and improved convenience for local companies. More info below:

~~~
A new era  begins in San Jose - on Friday, February 28, Signature Flight Support will be breaking ground at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and begin development of a new facility that will serve Google and other Silicon Valley companies.

A powerful uptick in the private jet industry for companies of all sizes has spurred demand that is now being met in Silicon Valley - a strong need for hangar space, maintenance, and crew and passengers amenities in key worldwide locations.

Key competitive differentiators for business aviation:

— Business aviation companies reach over 10 times the number of U.S. airports than airlines do
— Users can reach multiple destinations in one day
— Business aircrafts increase employee productivity thanks to cabin configurations that are conducive to individual and team work

Signature Flight’s $82 million investment will help Silicon Valley companies stay competitive, will generate hundreds of new jobs and garner more than $3 million in annual revenue for San Jose. The company will also be an integral part of the community by partnering with local organizations such as the Tech Museum and Computer History Museum.