Splunk Is Leasing a 234,000 SQFT Santana Row Office Building!

The newest office building at Santana Row is getting a tenant well before construction is even completed, and it's a significant one. Splunk is a leading data mining company that went public in 2012. The company is currently headquartered in a 213,000 SQFT building in San Francisco. While they are not planning to move their headquarters, Splunk has decided to dramatically increase their investment in the South Bay and move their modest Cupertino operations to one of the most impressive office buildings in Silicon Valley.

The new building at 500 Santana Row has nearly a quarter million square feet and is situated at the tail end of the row with easy access to a couple dozen restaurants, premier shopping, and many other amenities. The office itself has every luxury feature a tenant could possibly want including 13-foot ceilings, outdoor terraces, and an onsite cafe. You can check out some of the renderings below.

This represents a huge win for San Jose and Santana Row. Splunk will bring as many as 1,300 high-paying tech jobs to San Jose with immediate access to San Jose retail. The city will get increased tax revenue from both the office component and sales taxes from Splunk's employees that are shopping and dining out. This double-dipping is one of the many benefits of mixed-use projects. The fact that this is a San Francisco company investing in building a quality outpost in the South Bay and not the other way around is also notable.

Sources: SVBJ, Hillrise from the San Jose Development Forum

Blast From the Past - Downtown San Jose is Getting Illuminated!

Below is an old post from December 26th, 2012 describing a killer project that would illuminate two highway underpasses that are gateways to the Downtown core. Guess what... almost three years later the project is going to happen! Work begins today according to the San Jose Trails Twitter feed!

Downtown San Jose is Getting Illuminated!

Here is a nice little Christmas present for all those that live, work, or play in Downtown San Jose. Two highway underpasses are about to get painted in LED artwork, which you can see below. The first is the main gateway to the Downtown San Jose core--where 87 passes over Santa Clara Street. This important area connects the HP Pavilion and Diridon Station with the rest of Downtown. Right now, it's pretty gloomy and can feel less than inviting if you are walking by yourself. However, that is about to change. Tons of LED lights donated by San Jose-based Philips Lumileds are going under the overpass along with colorful paint that will pop when hit by the lights.

The second underpass is the where 87 passes over San Fernando Street. This project is a bit more modest but the effect is the same. Artists are taking a gloomy overpass and turning it into an attraction. The photo shows blue and green lights, but with LEDs there is always a possibility of making the lighting dynamic.

All of this is made possible by a program called Illuminating Downtown, which received a $600k grant from ArtPlace America and other contributions from the SJDA. These first two lighting projects should be complete by fall 2013. I believe there will be two other areas that are getting lit as well, but am not 100% certain about that. In addition, they are also talking to high-rise residential apartment owners that are looking to illuminate their buildings (The 88 did a GREAT job with this and Axis isn't too shabby either).

I think this is a big step towards making San Jose look like the capital of Silicon Valley. Personally, I can't wait to see these two projects completed. This is showing that Downtown San Jose is moving in the right direction when it comes to public art and creating a more inviting atmosphere. Growdwerx is also doing a great job when it comes to lighting up parts of Downtown.

2013 is going to be a great year!

Source: SVBJ

Highway 87 & Santa Clara Street


Highway 87 & San Fernando Street

Deluxe Eatery & Drinkery

A new restaurant and bar called Deluxe is going to open very soon at 71 East San Fernando Street, the address last used by Azucar. They have been posting some delicious-looking dishes on their Facebook Page as a teaser. Chad Ferry is Deluxe's chef and has worked in a long line of notable restaurants such as The Plumed Horse, Paolo's, Spagos, and Lark Creek Blue. I have never had short rib tater tots before, but the concept sounds amazing to me. It also looks like they are going to have some slick artwork in there by local San Jose artist Francisco Franco (see the last image below).

That is pretty much all the info I have right now, but will update this post as soon as I know the exact opening date.

Saturday Stats: San Jose is the 3rd Best City to Raise a Family!

A recent study done by Healthline looked at a variety of factors such as job prospects, public schools, health care, and lifestyle amenities to come up with a list of the 10 best cities to raise a family in. San Jose came in at a very respectable 3rd place. Dallas took the top spot while Boston was second. San Francisco barely made the list at 9th place.

Source: Healthline, hat tip to Alex Shoor for sending this in!

SoFA Street Fair

The SoFA Street Fair is a celebration of music, art and culture Downtown. The event debuted in 1992, became a raging success, then took a hiatus, and was restarted last year. When it was in its prime, it would draw crowds of 20,000 people. Now the organizers are trying to repeat that success with three outdoor stages, 12 indoor stages, and 100 performances throughout the day. To compliment the music there will be food trucks, beer gardens, and a variety of vendors. It all goes down this Sunday from 2pm to 10pm.

For more info on the event, check out their Facebook page over here.

Help us make more LīVE Music this September at the SoFA Street Fair, a celebration of LīVE music, art, and culture in downtown San Jose’s SoFA District.

Beginning with its debut in 1992, The SoFA Street Fair drew music-lovers of all ages to experience world-class music by legendary local acts, while taking in the unique (counter)culture of the neighborhood. In no time, the festival became one of the most highly anticipated events in downtown San Jose, drawing crowds of 20,000 in its prime. Some would say it helped define what the community is today—a thriving arts and live music destination.

Now, the event is back and better than ever with three outdoor stages, 12 indoor stages, and up to 100 performances throughout the day. Food trucks, beer gardens, all-ages activities and artisan vendors will fill the streets, with LīVE events all day and night in adjacent arts and music venues. It’s all happening Sunday, September 13, for all ages, and always FREE to all, just as it was in 1992.

How to Spend 50 Perfect Hours in San Jose

San Jose is going to be a primary beneficiary of Super Bowl 50 in early 2016. Several auxiliary events will taking place in Downtown San Jose and the Super Bowl committee even created a whole two day itinerary for those visiting our city. You can see their recommendations right over here.

What do you think of their recommendations? Did they get it right?

San Pedro Square Market 4th Anniversary Party Tomorrow!

Tomorrow marks a very special occasion for the San Jose community. The San Pedro Square Market is turning four!

I'm not sure if you remember the overall sentiment in 2011, but most people expected this project to be a complete failure. Even those commenting on this blog did not believe it could work. Fast forward to today and the SPSM is the crown jewel of Downtown San Jose. It attracts more people than any other food/retail option Downtown and is driving further development and expansion in the immediate area. Without the SPSM, Centerra and Silvery Towers would never happen. I don't think any other project in a decade has had such a strong impact on Downtown San Jose's brand. Heck, it is so successful that it already has two clones coming online in Downtown San Jose alone.

Given everything the San Pedro Square Market has contributed to the area, we should pay it a little respect during its 4th anniversary tomorrow. They are hosting a special event (free admissions) that starts at 6pm and features $4 dishes from all restaurants and live music. It would also be a good time to try out SPSM's two newest restaurants, Oni Mexicatessen and Lou's Beachshack. Both are excellent!

Santana Row September 2015 News and Events

San Jose, CA)  - Hello fall! The seasonal change signals the start of autumn traditions and holiday-inspired events at The Row. In September, Yoga on the Row returns with its annual takeover of Santana Row’s main street as hundreds of yoga enthusiasts unroll their mats for the morning session.

Help Good Samaritan Hospital mark its 50th anniversary at Santana Row, a day of celebration for the entire family that includes music and games.

October brings Halloween fun with a special Mommy & Me trick-or-treating party and a glass pumpkin festival. Then it’s on to Santana Row’s annual holiday events, including the South Bay’s best tree-lighting festivities!

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too, “Superhero Day!”
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to noon, Park Valencia
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman joins the party during this popular kids’ club that features free entertainment, interactive games, hands-on activities and educational fun designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Dress as your favorite superhero and meet the other superheroes at The Row! Live musical performances by Andy Z, Silicon Valley Ballet School and Action Day Primary Plus. Also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more. Meet us in Park Valencia in front of Maggiano’s to pick up your activity sheet.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Go Niners!
Take the Round Trip Shuttle to Levi’s Stadium from Santana Row
Avoid the headache of game day traffic! Take the shuttle from The Row to Levi’s Stadium for a hassle-free day that starts with easy parking, shopping and dining perks.

• Monday, Sept. 14, Niners vs. Vikings (departs at 5:20 p.m.)
• Sunday, Oct. 4, Niners vs. Packers (departs at 11.25 a.m.)
• Sunday, Oct. 18, Niners vs. Ravens (departs at 11:25 a.m.)
• Thursday, Oct. 22, Niners vs. Seahawks (departs at 3:25 p.m.)

The shuttle registration begins about 30 minutes before departure time. Registration and shuttles are located near the CineArts Theatre.
Your $30 ticket includes:

• Round trip transportation to Levi’s Stadium
• Free parking at Santana Row
• Santana Row shopping and dining incentives

Details:
When you arrive at Santana Row, park your vehicle in the designated, secured parking lot on Winchester Boulevard in the former Century 21 Theatre area. Walk across Winchester Boulevard to Olsen Drive where the registration table and bus will be waiting to load in front of the theater. The bus departs at the scheduled time (two hours prior to game time), and will not wait for passengers.

Levi’s Stadium drop-off site:
The bus will park at the official shuttle drop-off location at the stadium. One hour after the conclusion of the game, the bus will depart from the same location. All passengers not on bus at the specified departure time, will not receive transportation back to Santana Row.

Summer Yoga Series
Saturday, Sept. 12, last workout of this seasonal event
Registration at 8:30, yoga at 9 a.m., Park Valencia
Yoga enthusiasts have gathered all summer for free yoga every Saturday, presented by lululemon athletica and the weekly event comes to a close on Sept. 12.
Practice your end-of-summer sun salutations under the sunshine at Park Valencia, near Maggiano’s restaurant. The complimentary class, as always, is held outdoors with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Good Samaritan Hospital’s 50th anniversary at Santana Row!
Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More than 100,000 babies took their first breath at Good Sam over the last half-Century and the hospital is inviting the community to join them in celebrating its landmark 50th anniversary.
Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the day, including live performances on the main stage in Santana Row Park. Featured music includes Motown, classic rock and modern hits. Stop by the children’s pavilion with entertainment, activities for kids and safety checks. A “learning lounge” will be the site of cooking demos by Santana Row’s top chefs, CPR classes and health chats with Good Sam physicians and staff. You can also visit with first responders, use the Shopping Passport for special offers to Santana Row stores and participate in interactive contests and photo opportunities.
This event is free and open to the public. For a schedule of events and more information, please visit goodsamsanjose.com/birthday.

Cars & Croissants
Sept. 26 and every fourth Saturday of the month
9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Yoga on The Row for the Third Year in a Row!
A benefit for the Art of Yoga Project
Sunday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. start, free to participants
Bring your mat and your best yoga form for Yoga on The Row! Athletic lululemon athletica presents the popular event, a fundraiser for the Art of Yoga Project, an organization that works to rehabilitate teenage girls in the juvenile justice system by teaching them art, yoga, and journaling. lululemon athletica will donate $1 to the organization for each participant who attends this complimentary yoga event. The goal this year is to get 1,000 yogis and their mats to line the main street of Santana Row and the park.
Registration will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and class begins at 10 a.m.
Please arrive with a mat, towel, and a smile! All levels welcome.

Sugarfina, gourmet candy shop
Now open!
It’s a candy store for grown-ups who have a sweet tooth, both in selection and ambiance but attracts candy lovers of all ages. Sugarfina is a retail concept that offers select sweets from around the world in an elegant, boutique setting. Customer favorites include Champagne gummy bears from Germany and Rainbow Kyoto Blossoms from Japan.
Founded by Rosie O’Neill and Josh Resnick in Southern California, Sugarfina’s
883-square-foot shop is open next to Donald J. Pliner.



About Santana Row
Santana Row, a 647,000 square foot mixed-use development in San Jose, CA, is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for shopping, dining, living and working. Santana Row features over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail & restaurant collection, Santana Row offers 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.santanarow.com.
 
About Federal Realty
Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply.  Our expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities.  Federal Realty’s 90 properties include over 2,600 tenants, in approximately 21 million square feet, and 1500 residential units.

Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 48 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.FederalRealty.com.