21-story hotel expansion proposed Donwntown!

Exciting new proposals for projects that will change the Downtown San Jose skyline continue to roll in on a weekly basis. This latest one is unique in many ways. The Sheraton Four Points (previously the Montgomery Hotel) is proposing a 245-foot tall expansion tower that would contain 280 guest rooms. That in and of itself is exciting news, but how they are planning to execute it takes it to the next level.

The expansion would be the first cantilevered tower in Silicon Valley, meaning a substantial portion of the building would be in the airspace directly above the Sheraton Four Points. Not only would this allow a much larger building to be constructed on the narrow strip of land between the current hotel and the Fairmont annex, but it would allow the tower to be built without impacting the historic Montgomery Hotel building. It would be a beautiful juxtaposition of old and new.

The hotel would also have at least one amenity that does not exist in any other hotel building in the Bay Area--a rooftop pool. The 21st floor would also have a bar and fitness center, making the penthouse a major attraction accessible to all hotel guests.

Currently the hotel is somehow a Sheraton Four Points, which is the lowest-end brand in the Starwood chain. It is already one of the nicest, if not the nicest Four Points in the US. I cannot imagine that it would retain the Four Points brand if this tower gets built. It should be converted to at least a Sheraton, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this turn into an Aloft, Element Hotel, or even a W Hotel. The only other Starwood hotel in Downtown San Jose is the recently re-branded Westin San Jose.

This proposal is taking tower design to the next level in Downtown San Jose. I really hope this gets built, but even if it doesn't at least it is clear that proposals are getting more ambitious and in line with what Downtown San Jose deserves to have.

Source: SVBJ