Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Three New Apartment Buildings Coming to Japantown

8 acres of land in Japantown at 357 E. Taylor St. is expected to go into contract with a major apartment builder soon. There were big plans for this site five years ago, but the economy killed any potential for development back then. Now, it looks like things are moving forward and the land is already entitled for around 400 residential units.

The project should include three new five-story buildings with a chance for even greater density. The old Continental Can Co. brick warehouse at the site will be preserved and even perhaps integrated into the project. A 1-acre park would be in the mix here as well.

Source: SVBJ


7 comments:

  1. (1) Please something at least slightly architecturally interesting. How many more cut and paste super boring buildings are we going to build. They should be thinking about how new buildings can be 'placemaking' opportunities. Maybe something contemporary as we have almost no contemporary structures being built. How about using an architect that is known for designing interesting structures.

    (2) Please no parking minimums for once. The plot is completely surrounded by transportation options. San Jose needs at least one model for car-lite housing, for the sake of city's future, and this would be the perfect spot.

    (3) Ground floor retail please. Its the universal chorus every time, but when is the city going to push for ground floor retail in earnest.

    (4) For the park, again maybe some slightly interesting, like a community garden area for the residence to grow veggies in boxes. Community gardens are in super high demand and have the amazing ability to humanize an area.

    I'm just saying, can we have at least slight exception to the typical cut and past, drag and drop structures that are being built.

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    Replies
    1. I very much agree and support this type of inclusion with and (re)development. Driving down Taylor on Monday there were a good amount of people strolling around. Give us a place to go!

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    2. 1) Better/more interesting designs = most costs for developers
      2) Will never happen, even in downtown proper there is parking min (1 p/unit)
      3)Up to the developer, but I don't see the spaces nearby being filled so who knows if its worth it.
      4) There's an urban farm off of Taylor

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  2. Above all, YES to integrating a park (green areas are so crucial!!!) and keeping the warehouse!

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  3. I don't understand why we need another small 1-acre park when there is that large park on 9th Street only a block away from this new developments? That 1-acre could be used for even more housing.

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    Replies
    1. I'm just living one block away from the new developments on the 9th street, and there are always not enough parking spaces for the current residents ever!

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  4. I'm wondering if the brick warehouse can be developed to be a cool loft later!

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