Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Experience the Vibrant Soul of Spain in Downtown San Jose
Monday, May 19, 2025
The Clara: A New Gem in Silicon Valley’s Crown
Santa Clara’s latest luxury residential development, The Clara, has opened its doors, and it’s giving us plenty of reasons to get excited. Located in the heart of the emerging Clara District, this 22-story high-rise sits just steps from Levi’s Stadium, blending modern living with easy access to entertainment and events. It's actually the tallest residential building in Silicon Valley outside of Downtown San Jose.
With 508 homes ranging from studios to sprawling penthouses, The Clara is already turning heads—only two penthouses remain available for lease, a sign of just how much demand there is for this kind of upscale living near San Jose.
The residences themselves are a showcase of thoughtful design and high-end touches. Open gourmet kitchens come equipped with custom Italian cabinetry, Caesarstone countertops, and Bosch smart appliances, including gas cooktops for those who love to cook. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, while features like Nest thermostats, Salto keyless entry, and customizable Elfa closets make daily life both convenient and stylish. It’s the kind of place that feels like a step up, whether you’re a tech professional, a family, or someone who just appreciates a well-crafted home.
What really sets The Clara apart, though, are the amenities. Residents can enjoy a 6,500-square-foot fitness center that flows indoors and out, a yoga studio, and a spa complete with sauna and steam rooms. There’s a karaoke room for fun nights in, coworking spaces that adapt to hybrid work life, and even a children’s playroom and outdoor playground. The eighth-floor terrace offers a 75-foot pool with views of Levi's Stadium, grilling stations, and bocce courts, while the rooftop deck delivers jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the South Bay and San Jose. It’s hard not to imagine hosting friends or unwinding after a long day in spaces like these.
This 45-acre neighborhood is shaping up to be a lively, walkable hub with plans for 4,500 residences, public parks, bike lanes, and over 100,000 square feet of shops and restaurants. The Clara puts you right in the middle of these future project, with top employers close by and a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.
Pricing starts at $3,270/mo and you can schedule a tour by calling 408-922-9000 or visiting www.theclara.com.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Tanishq Unveils a Gem of a Store in Santa Clara
San Jose’s South Asian community—and jewelry lovers across the Bay Area—have something special to explore with the arrival of Tanishq’s flagship store in Santa Clara. The 5,100 sq. ft. showroom, located at 3406 El Camino Real, opened its doors earlier this year and celebrated its official grand opening on May 8. The event brought a slice of Indian tradition to Silicon Valley with a lamp-lighting ceremony, a ribbon cutting, and a musical performance. Santa Clara’s mayor joined even local leaders and enthusiastic visitors.
The showroom dazzles with thousands of gold and diamond pieces, each one a testament to Indian craftsmanship with a modern twist. Collections like Rhythms of Rain and Tales of Mystique stand out, offering designs that tie into cultural heritage while marking life’s big moments such as weddings, festivals, or even a just well-deserved treat.
What makes this opening exciting for the San Jose metro is how it adds to the city’s growing reputation as a hub for culture and creativity. The store’s luxurious vibe and focus on heritage invite everyone to discover something unique.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
San Pedro Saturdays: A Vibrant Celebration of Community in Downtown San Jose
Downtown San Jose transforms each month with San Pedro Saturdays, a lively event series that turns San Pedro Street into a pedestrian-friendly playground. Organized by the San Jose Downtown Association alongside local partners like SJ Made and Moment SJ, these gatherings bring a fresh dose of energy to the city. With themes ranging from San Jose Cat Day to Spring Bloom Day and Pawlentine’s Day, there’s a distinct flavor to every event, appealing to plant lovers, pet owners, and everyone in between.
Held at San Pedro Square, a historic gem in the heart of Downtown San Jose, these events draw crowds with their mix of local vendors, artists, and makers. The street closes to traffic, opening up space for over 20 booths where you can find handmade goods, tasty bites, and creative works—all crafted by folks from the area. Today there will also be spin-the-wheel-prizes, friendship bracelets, a community mural, and Gizmo the robot dog.
Entry is free, dogs are encouraged to tag along, and all ages can join in the fun.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Bitterbuck: A Fresh Twist in Downtown San Jose’s Bar Scene
Cache Bouren has been shaping Downtown San Jose’s bar scene for over 15 years. His journey started with Singlebarrel in 2010, a craft cocktail lounge that set the stage for what would become Haberdasher in 2015. Both spots earned loyal followings for their creativity and charm. Now, Bouren is ready to unveil his latest venture, Bitterbuck, in the emerging Fountain Alley district.
What sets Bitterbuck apart is its dual personality. By day, it’s a haven for coffee lovers, featuring pour-overs crafted with a Poursteady machine from Brooklyn. This automated setup, capable of brewing up to five cups at once with a robotic spout for precision, reflects Bouren’s obsession with quality coffee. As night falls, the space transforms into a cocktail lounge, spotlighting sparkling wines, bitter liqueurs, and amaro-driven drinks. It’s a concept that bridges morning and evening crowds, common in Europe but offering a fresh take on what a Downtown San Jose hangout can be.
The location in Fountain Alley feels like a perfect fit. This pocket of Downtown is on the rise, part of a larger wave of revitalization bringing new energy to the area. Bitterbuck joins this momentum. Bouren has a knack for spotting what’s missing in the market, and with amaro gaining traction, his timing couldn’t be better.
Source: The Mercury NewsThursday, May 15, 2025
Santana Row’s Levare Apartments Sold to Global Firm Hines
Santana Row, one of San Jose’s most iconic mixed-use developments, has just witnessed a major transaction. The Levare apartment building, a 108-unit complex within Santana Row, was recently sold to an affiliate of Hines, a global real estate firm.
The deal, valued at approximately $74 million, marks a strategic move by Federal Realty Trust, the developer and primary owner of Santana Row. By selling Levare, Federal Realty Trust aims to reallocate capital toward higher-return opportunities while continuing to enhance the vibrancy of Santana Row.
Levare, developed in 2011, has been a standout property within Santana Row, boasting a 95% lease rate at the time of the sale. As one of three apartment buildings in the development—alongside Misora and Santana Heights—Levare has played a key role in shaping Santana Row into a thriving community. The sale to Hines, a firm with a global footprint, signals confidence in San Jose’s real estate market and its potential for long-term growth.
Source: SVBJWednesday, May 14, 2025
San Jose: The Hotspot for New Grad Hiring and AI Innovation
San Jose is carving out its place as a leader among U.S. cities, topping the charts for new graduate hiring growth. Data from Gusto, a payroll and management software company, shows a remarkable 13.1% rise in the city’s new grad hiring rate from April 2024 to March 2025.
What’s fueling this surge? A sharp focus on AI is driving both hiring and salary increases across the Bay Area, with San Jose at the forefront. New grads here are seeing starting salaries climb by 7.6% year-over-year, reaching an average of $91,453 as of March 2025. Compare that to the national average of $61,996, and it’s easy to see why San Jose stands out. While hiring for new graduates has dipped nationally—down 16% from 2024 and expected to drop 44% from 2022 levels by mid-2025—San Jose is defying the trend, alongside neighbor San Francisco, thanks to its deep roots in tech innovation.
San Jose State University (SJSU) is a big part of this story. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU is equipping students with the skills to thrive in an AI-driven future. From specialized AI courses to hands-on projects and internships, students are immersed in cutting-edge tech—some even contributing to city initiatives. Partnerships with industry giants like Nvidia and Adobe further amplify these opportunities, creating a direct pipeline from classroom to career. This synergy between education and industry is a key reason San Jose continues to lead.
Beyond the numbers, San Jose offers something unique: a front-row seat to the tech revolution. The city’s position in Silicon Valley means innovation is everywhere, especially in AI. Local businesses using generative AI report higher satisfaction with their hires, which speeds up recruitment and boosts the workforce. For new grads, this translates to not just jobs, but careers with real impact and paychecks to match.
Source: SVBJTuesday, May 13, 2025
The Boring Company's ZPIT Innovation: A Game-Changer for San Jose's Infrastructure
The Boring Company's recent milestone in achieving continuous mining in a Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) configuration is set to revolutionize urban infrastructure, and San Jose stands to gain significantly from this advancement. This breakthrough allows for simultaneous tunnel advancement and ring erection without human presence inside the machine, except for a videographer. Each ring, weighing approximately 24,000 pounds, is constructed efficiently, promising safer, faster, and more cost-effective tunneling. For a city like San Jose, which is constantly evolving and expanding, this technology could be a game-changer.
San Jose's ongoing efforts to enhance its public transportation system, particularly the BART extension to Downtown San Jose, could be accelerated with ZPIT technology. The city's commitment to improving connectivity and reducing traffic congestion aligns perfectly with The Boring Company's innovations. By leveraging this technology, San Jose could see a rapid expansion of its underground transportation network, making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate the city. This would not only improve daily commutes but also support the city's economic growth by attracting more businesses and talent.
The focus on subterranean technology by The Boring Company complements San Jose's vision of a multi-layered transportation network. This approach could alleviate the persistent issue of surface traffic congestion in the Silicon Valley area by utilizing underground tunnels for both passenger and freight transport. The expansion of such networks would be crucial as San Jose continues to grow, accommodating a larger population and increased economic activities. This innovation could position San Jose as a leader in sustainable urban development, setting a precedent for other cities to follow.
Moreover, the ZPIT configuration's emphasis on safety and efficiency could influence other infrastructure projects in San Jose. Utility tunnels and stormwater management systems, which are essential for the city's resilience, could benefit from reduced risks and costs associated with traditional tunneling methods. This technology could make large-scale projects more feasible, ensuring that San Jose remains at the forefront of infrastructure development. The city's ongoing revitalization efforts in Downtown San Jose, including the Downtown West project by Google, could be further enhanced by these advancements.
Source: XMonday, May 12, 2025
Free Summer Concerts at St. James Park: 2025 Series Announced
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Alamo Drafthouse to Elevate Silicon Valley’s Movie Experience
Movie lovers in Silicon Valley have something to look forward to this summer. Alamo Drafthouse, the Austin-based cinema chain known for its unique approach to film and dining, is opening two new theaters in our backyard. One will debut at The Village at San Antonio Center in Mountain View on June 16, while the other is slated for Westfield Valley Fair in summer 2025. They are both replacing the recently closed ShowPlace Icon locations.
What sets Alamo Drafthouse apart? For starters, you can enjoy full meals and drinks, including alcohol, delivered right to your seat. The Mountain View theater, clocking in at 50,700 square feet, will offer 10 auditoriums and room for over 1,200 guests, complete with an arcade and a third-floor specialty bar pouring 24 draft beers and cocktails. The Valley Fair location ups the ante with 62,228 square feet, capacity for over 1,500 people, and its own themed bar. Forget the old kiosk system of the previous theaters—these spots are all about comfort, convenience, and a personal touch.
Between the two locations, at least 300 new jobs will emerge. Also, Alamo Drafthouse isn’t stopping at blockbusters—they’re known for screening a wide range of films, from indie hits to special events. In 2024 alone, they showed 1,700 movies nationwide, far more than their closest competitors. This will definitely fill the major hole at Valley Fair after ShowPlace Icon left.
Source: SVBJ