The story behind San Jose's oldest building

SJtoday has a great overview of the Peralta Adobe, the oldest structure in San Jose. The inconspicuous building now sits in the middle of the San Pedro Square Market and occasionally public tours are offered of the historic structure. It's over 200 years old and predates even San Jose's existence as a city.

For the quick history of the building that you can use to impress your friends over beers next time you're at the Market, head over here.

11-story building coming to San Jose's "Downtown West"

Not every tower has to hit maximum height. This proposal at Delmas and San Fernando would occupy a small amount of space where a convenience store and taqueria currently operate out of a 2,305 SQFT single-story building. 

The proposal would have 80 residential units in an 11-story building and 1,355 SQFT of ground floor retail which the businesses at the current location would occupy after construction is complete. I'm not sure if this is tall enough to technically call a high-rise, but it does have a striking and unique design by Downtown San Jose standards.

At least 20% of the units would be affordable housing. The building would be an easy walk to Diridon and has a VTA Light Rail station across the street. It's also minutes away from the Adobe World Headquarters and proposed San Jose Google campus.

Source: SVBJ

Made in San Jose

Check out SJ Today for a list of 13 things created in San Jose. Hard drives, floppy disks, Eggo waffles, Chuck E. Cheese and several others you probably already knew about. However, I be there is a least one on the list you didn't! See them all over here.

RIP Apollo tower, site of proposed San Jose high-rise sold to VTA

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has purchased two parcels of land that were meant to meant to become a 20-story, Las Vegas-style, 472-unit tower at the corner of Stockton Avenue and Santa Clara Street. The design was quite striking as you can see below.

The VTA is going to use this parcel for the first phase of California High Speed Rail, which might actually beat BART to Downtown San Jose. If the tower was built, the costs to complete Diridon would rise exponentially.

Hopefully this design could be reused on another Urban Catalyst project in Downtown San Jose.

Source: SVBJ

New details for University Station near Caltrain and SCU

A new development spanning 451-475 El Camino Real will add 406 units to our housing pool. The location is across the street from Santa Clara University and a five minute walk away from Caltrain and a future BART station. Like Valley Fair, it actually spans across both San Jose and Santa Clara.

The project will be a mix of apartment buildings and townhomes on 11 acres of land, specifically 298 apartments and 108 townhomes. 82 of the 406 units will be designated as affordable housing.

The four-story residential buildings will replace two-story offices and two parking structures. There will be no impact to the small retail center next to Caltrain, the hotel, nor the South Bay Historical Railroad Society building.

Currently there is no ETA, but the latest project drawings are below.

Source: SF YIMBY

Santana Row expansion (Santana West) scores their first lease -- Acrisure

It's a challenging market for office space, but it always seems to be sunny at Santana Row. A financial tech company called Acrisure LLC is leasing 29,000 SQFT in the shiny new Santana West project across the street from the famous Row. Acrisure is planning on having 150 employees work out of that office, taking up most of the 4th floor of the building.

So far, only one building has been constructed as part of for Santana West. The plan is for there to be two more midrises with the final project totaling a million SQFT of office space. However, given the state of the office and residential markets, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to pivot and use the remaining space as a true mixed-use extension to Santana Row with retail and residential.

Source: SVBJ

The Fay (formerly Garden Gate) residential high-rise tops out next month in #DTSJ

The only high-rise tower actively under construction right now in Downtown San Jose is The Fay by Morro. Come January it will be at it's full height with 23 floors that will eventually house 336-units of apartments. 

Excavation started in 2022, the crane appeared about a year ago and it will be open to tenants January 2025. It's extremely visible off of 280 and already has an impact to the Downtown San Jose skyline.

As for the building itself, the one and two-bedroom apartments will be European-style, so a bit smaller but with elevated amenities and finishes. The building will have a 24/7 concierge, co-working spaces, and community lounges. Best of all, it will have the amenity I have been clamoring for... a rooftop pool and amenity deck complete with cabanas, the gym, a sky garden, and BBQ grills. San Jose weather and Downtown San Jose's central location with views of the valley make it an ideal place for a heated rooftop pool and this will be the first high-rise building in San Jose to have this feature. In fact, it will be one of only three in the whole Bay Area I'm aware of when it's ready in 2025, the other two being built right now in Santa Clara.

The ground floor contains 5,000 SQFT of retail at 600 S. First St. and the building itself will mark the start of the SoFA neighborhood. This will be a great addition Downtown!

Source: Downtown Dimension

San Jose Winter Wonder Market this weekend at Westgate Center

A unique SJ Made event is going down this weekend inside of Westgate Center. Instead of taking place in a convention center or outside in a parking lot, they are utilizing all of the free space within the mall (see map below).

San Jose Winter Wonder Market will feature 150 makers, artists, designers, and creators. All of the Westgate Center stores will still be open, so you can do the rest of your Christmas shopping in one convenient place and support local small businesses at the same time.

Hours for the event will be from 11am-5pm on Dec 16th and 17th. Attendance and parking is free. There is also a VTA Bus Station on-site called "Campbell & Saratoga." Below you can find a hand map sorted both alphabetically and by booth number. For more info, head over here.

Vendor Lineup (sorted alphabetically)

(the) Lisa Inez - N02

2pomelo - K16

9 Lunas Accessories - B03

A Jar of Pickles - D01

A Jar of Pickles - D02

A Miyako M - Q03

Accessories NAGAOKA - Q01

Alice Yang - A21

Alpine Soapery - A15

Art by Julia - R02

Aubluvion - O02

Bad Art by Nice - H04

Bad Witch Crystals - Q02

bananabbean - D03

bb mad designs - P09

Boho Moon Art - F05

Browned Butter Babe Co. - P06

Bunniejing Studio - P10

Buppydogs - H01

BVanSoi - D05

Candy Paint Cafe - R04

CasaPlants Bay Area - P08

Ceramics By Jane - B15

Charlotte Truffles - K18

cherrypugpie - O01

Chibi-Oneechan - Q10

Christine's Cookie Co - M04

CloverLeafPie - A17

Cocochoon - K13

CositasContreras - G09

crochetwhispers - Q05

Cupcakes for College - Q07

Deercassette - Q08

Derptiles - P11

Dezireecustoms - F12

Draw Jess Draw - B14

DrawnbyIvy - B05

Dream Fields Indigo - K03

Earthside Candles Co - F07

eelsilog - A20

Eizel’s Bakery - K22

EnV Bags LLC - F01

Escama Studio - E03

Eternal Trinket - G08

Euphoric Sun - B10

Exhilo Apparel - A19

Fern Flower Studio - K11

Fine Art & Illustration by Tabitha Jensen | Pabkins - O04

Florabel - F03

Fluffed Animals - F11

Fonzie's Artisanal Goods - H08

Franci Cakes - H03

Future Bloom Apparel - F08

fuwaffy - A22

Fuzzlecat - R03

Gabbie Gallery - A12

Gabriel Edwards - E08

Galaxsea Emporium - K07

Girthybobastraw - K15

Golden Circle - P01

Golden Lemon Studio LLC - Q06

Golden Luxe Jewels - K04

goyangii - G07

Hachi Bit - F13

Hannah Hillam Illustration - G02

Happy Goods - E02

Hello Lily - E04

homeyviis - F06

Homie SF - A06

Huang Pottery - A07

ItsKleine - G11

Jale - K02

Jaliren - A09

JaneLi.Co - B02

Jellybee Jewelry - A08

Joce - O03

Jodi408 - J03

Joy Blossoms Clay - G01

Kawaii Glass Co - B13

Kelsiekishidraws - P04

Kindred Caramels - G04

Krafttee - C04

Kristine Chen Ceramics - K05

Kuailin Studio - K12

La Paloma Imports - B04

Le Petit Elefant - M02

Leila's Divine Designs - F10

LettucePunch - K10

Limpachi - K01

Linked By Trini - K09

Magnote - J01

McKinnon Collective - B01

Meelee Art - H05

Menmin Made - P05

Midori Chan - A14

MiGi Cera Candle Co - P07

MIMOPUFFS - K19

mintimelon marbles - K21

Misul Studios - A10

momofresh - K14

Motif's Art Studio - D04

Munespice - A05

Naptime Doodler - C01

Naptime Doodler - C02

Neko-Oi - Q11

No Thread No Life - A11

Nyaomikyu - K08

Out of the Woods - K24

Painting With James - B16

Panty Cat - H09

Paper Picture Mama - G06

Parasol Paper - P02

Peachirou - K23

Pink Little Clouds - A18

PinoyShotArt - A13

Prachie Studio - Q09

Prosecco Rose - H06

RainandJas - H10

rinihimme - K25

Rolilomi's Market - F04

Ronin Decals - F14

Rose Gold Jelly - Q12

Sakai Harts & Crafts - G03

sakuradragon - B18

sakuradragon - B20

Sam's Gourmet Jams - G10

Same Same Goods - E07

sanshocat studio - N01

Seto Arts - E01

Sherry Lou Studio - H07

shoyuscribbles - E06

SJMADE INFO BOOTH - I01

SJMADE INFO BOOTH - I02

SMOOCH - B08

Snippet Studios - B17

Snippet Studios - B19

soobiumi - A16

SoyFeliz - B09

Starry Droplets - K17

Sudibear - G05

Sundrop Studios - G12

Sweeter than Honey Bakery - H02

Teappo - P12

thanksxu - B12

The DLT Jewel Co. - K26

The Hungry Sloth - F02

The Joyful Thoughts - Q04

The Knotty Corgi - F09

The Little Forest Ceramic Shop - P03

The Little Red House - R01

Thrive Culture - E05

Treasure California - K06

Two Thicc Asians - B11

VinoBurrito - J02

Wild Rina - C03

Woofboard LLC - A24

Yanchako - B06

Yinaya - B07

Yours Truly, Mary Anne - A23

---

Vendor Lineup (sorted by booth number + row)

A05 - Munespice

A07 - Huang Pottery

A09 - Jaliren

A11 - No Thread No Life

A13 - PinoyShotArt

A15 - Alpine Soapery

A17 - CloverLeafPie

A19 - Exhilo Apparel

A21 - Alice Yang

A23 - Yours Truly, Mary Anne

A06 - Homie SF

A08 - Jellybee Jewelry

A10 - Misul Studios

A12 - Gabbie Gallery

A14 - Midori Chan

A16 - soobiumi

A18 - Pink Little Clouds

A20 - eelsilog

A22 - fuwaffy

A24 - Woofboard LLC

B01 - McKinnon Collective

B03 - 9 Lunas Accessories

B05 - DrawnbyIvy

B07 - Yinaya

B09 - SoyFeliz

B11 - Two Thicc Asians

B13 - Kawaii Glass Co

B15 - Ceramics By Jane

B17 - Snippet Studios

B19 - Snippet Studios

B02 - JaneLi.Co

B04 - La Paloma Imports

B06 - Yanchako

B08 - SMOOCH

B10 - Euphoric Sun

B12 - thanksxu

B14 - Draw Jess Draw

B16 - Painting With James

B18 - sakuradragon

B20 - sakuradragon

C01 - Naptime Doodler

C02 - Naptime Doodler

C03 - Wild Rina

C04 - Krafttee

D01 - A Jar of Pickles

D02 - A Jar of Pickles

D03 - bananabbean

D04 - Motif's Art Studio

D05 - BVanSoi

E01 - Seto Arts

E03 - Escama Studio

E05 - Thrive Culture

E07 - Same Same Goods

E02 - Happy Goods

E04 - Hello Lily

E06 - shoyuscribbles

E08 - Gabriel Edwards

F01 - EnV Bags LLC

F03 - Florabel

F05 - Boho Moon Art

F07 - Earthside Candles Co

F09 - The Knotty Corgi

F11 - Fluffed Animals

F13 - Hachi Bit

F02 - The Hungry Sloth

F04 - Rolilomi's Market

F06 - homeyviis

F08 - Future Bloom Apparel

F10 - Leila's Divine Designs

F12 - Dezireecustoms

F14 - Ronin Decals

G01 - Joy Blossoms Clay

G03 - Sakai Harts & Crafts

G05 - Sudibear

G07 - goyangii

G09 - CositasContreras

G11 - ItsKleine

G02 - Hannah Hillam Illustration

G04 - Kindred Caramels

G06 - Paper Picture Mama

G08 - Eternal Trinket

G10 - Sam's Gourmet Jams

G12 - Sundrop Studios

H01 - Buppydogs

H03 - Franci Cakes

H05 - Meelee Art

H07 - Sherry Lou Studio

H09 - Panty Cat

H02 - Sweeter than Honey Bakery

H04 - Bad Art by Nice

H06 - Prosecco Rose

H08 - Fonzie's Artisanal Goods

H10 - RainandJas

I01 - SJMADE INFO BOOTH

I02 - SJMADE INFO BOOTH

J01 - Magnote

J02 - VinoBurrito

J03 - Jodi408

K01 - Limpachi

K03 - Dream Fields Indigo

K05 - Kristine Chen Ceramics

K07 - Galaxsea Emporium

K09 - Linked By Trini

K11 - Fern Flower Studio

K13 - Cocochoon

K15 - Girthybobastraw

K17 - Starry Droplets

K19 - MIMOPUFFS

K21 - mintimelon marbles

K23 - Peachirou

K25 - rinihimme

K02 - Jale

K04 - Golden Luxe Jewels

K06 - Treasure California

K08 - Nyaomikyu

K10 - LettucePunch

K12 - Kuailin Studio

K14 - momofresh

K16 - 2pomelo

K18 - Charlotte Truffles

K22 - Eizel’s Bakery

K24 - Out of the Woods

K26 - The DLT Jewel Co.

M02 - Le Petit Elefant

M04 - Christine's Cookie Co

N01 - sanshocat studio

N02 - (the) Lisa Inez

O01 - cherrypugpie

O02 - Aubluvion

O03 - Joce

O04 - Fine Art & Illustration by Tabitha Jensen | Pabkins

P01 - Golden Circle

P03 - The Little Forest Ceramic Shop

P05 - Menmin Made

P07 - MiGi Cera Candle Co

P09 - bb mad designs

P11 - Derptiles

P02 - Parasol Paper

P04 - Kelsiekishidraws

P06 - Browned Butter Babe Co.

P08 - CasaPlants Bay Area

P10 - Bunniejing Studio

P12 - Teappo

Q01 - Accessories NAGAOKA

Q03 - A Miyako M

Q05 - crochetwhispers

Q07 - Cupcakes for College

Q09 - Prachie Studio

Q11 - Neko-Oi

Q02 - Bad Witch Crystals

Q04 - The Joyful Thoughts

Q06 - Golden Lemon Studio LLC

Q08 - Deercassette

Q10 - Chibi-Oneechan

Q12 - Rose Gold Jelly

R01 - The Little Red House

R02 - Art by Julia

R03 - Fuzzlecat

R04 - Candy Paint Cafe