VTA Headquarters Relocation Opens Door to Hundreds of New Affordable Homes on North First Street

San Jose will welcome a significant shift in land use later this year when the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority relocates roughly 500 employees from its longtime North First Street headquarters into a Downtown office space.

The move will open the agency's 17-acre campus, home to operations since the early 1990s, for phased redevelopment that begins with a 330-unit affordable apartment project on 2.5 acres led by Eden Housing.

Future phases across the full site hold potential for as many as 1,100 housing units alongside office and retail elements, turning underutilized agency land into vibrant, transit-connected neighborhoods.

Eden Housing brings experience from recent Bay Area successes such as Mitchell Park Place in Palo Alto, and the initial phase will draw on tax credits plus grants from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

This approach aligns with VTA's broader transit-oriented development efforts, including the upcoming Berryessa affordable housing project, all designed to increase ridership while delivering much-needed homes near existing transit infrastructure.

San Jose Evolves Housing Policies to Unlock Fresh Neighborhood Possibilities

City leaders have adjusted the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to breathe life into dormant projects. The update shifts affordability tiers for rental units from 50, 60, and 100 percent of area median income to 60, 80, and 110 percent, easing the path for developers to move forward. This pivot aims at households caught between subsidized options and soaring market rates, fostering a broader mix of homes that reflect the city's diverse rhythms and needs.

With Santa Clara County's median income hovering around $195,200 for the current fiscal year, these changes promise to make building viable again in a market slowed by financing hurdles. Developers now face lower thresholds for affordable units if they opt for deeper affordability levels, or they can choose in-lieu fees or offsite construction. Separate guidelines remain for for-sale properties, ensuring a balanced approach that could sprinkle new townhomes and apartments across neighborhoods.

Past rules, while well-intentioned, led to stalled progress with minimal affordable units emerging. By tweaking the framework, San Jose is experimenting with strategies to amplify supply, potentially slowing rents climb through sheer volume. Meanwhile, dedicated programs like the Gap Financing initiative keep the focus sharp on deeply affordable developments, weaving a safety net for lower-income residents amid the growth.

Source: SVBJ

New Apartments Approved in West San Jose: Boosting Housing with Smart Redevelopment

This project at 1000 South De Anza Boulevard, led by Borello Asset Management, leverages the builder's remedy to transform a underutilized site into vibrant residential space. By qualifying under this provision before the city's housing element was finalized, the development gains flexibility to mix affordable and market-rate units, addressing the pressing need for more homes in our growing city.

The seven-story building will feature 20 percent of its units reserved for low-income households, with the remaining 80 percent at market rates. Amenities include a fitness center, pet spa, outdoor courtyard, and rooftop patio, creating a welcoming community hub. With about 150 parking spaces planned, the project replaces a vacant single-story commercial building that once housed a Carl's Jr. and later a sushi restaurant, turning an empty lot into a productive asset for West San Jose.

The site, long held by the Borello family, sat idle after the pandemic closed the last tenant, prompting a shift toward housing. Now, with the environmental impact report certified and permits approved, the path is clear for construction that could help ease the housing shortage. Whether Borello develops it or sells the entitled property, the outcome promises new opportunities for residents.

Source: SVBJ

New Renderings Showcase Innovative Tower Design for Downtown San Jose

Fresh renderings have emerged for the Fountain Alley mixed-use project at 35 South Second Street in Downtown San Jose, revealing a pair of residential towers designed by the renowned Bjarke Ingels Group. The development sits along South Second Street between Santa Clara and San Fernando Streets, near the historic Bank of Italy tower. This project forms part of a broader master plan led by developers Westbank and Urban Community, aiming to enhance the urban fabric with modern housing and community spaces.

The two towers reach heights of 279 feet and 289 feet, featuring balconies lined with trees to integrate greenery into the skyline. Materials such as aluminum, terracotta-toned glass-fiber-reinforced concrete, and curtainwall glass create a distinctive facade that blends contemporary style with the surrounding environment. Bionic handles the landscape architecture, while Kier and Wright serve as civil engineers, and Glotman Simpson oversees structural engineering, ensuring a thoughtful approach to the site's integration.

Inside, the project includes 768 apartments with a mix of 177 studios, 413 one-bedroom units, 152 two-bedroom options, and 26 three-bedroom residences. About 38 units will offer affordable housing for very low-income households through state density bonus provisions. Ground-floor retail spans 10,700 square feet, complemented by a pedestrian plaza, 45,000 square feet of basement parking, and space for 417 bicycles in a four-level subterranean garage. The total built area covers 831,600 square feet, primarily dedicated to housing.

This addition promises to bring more residents and activity to Downtown San Jose, supporting the area's evolution into a lively hub for living and leisure. Six projects in total are underway from the same developers in Downtown San Jose, including one already in early construction stages.

For more details, visit https://sfyimby.com/2025/12/new-renderings-for-big-designed-tower-in-downtown-san-jose.html.

Breaking Ground on The Fielden: Affordable Housing Takes Root in San Jose's Alum Rock Neighborhood

Construction has started on a new 160-unit affordable housing complex at 525 North Capitol Avenue in San Jose's Alum Rock area. Known as The Fielden, this five-story development replaces earlier plans for an office building. The project, led by Community Development Partners, marks their first venture in San Jose and stands as their most expensive to date, with a total cost of $123 million. Funding comes from multiple sources, including $8 million from Santa Clara County through the Measure A Affordable Housing Bond and a $26 million loan from the city of San Jose, which owns the site.

The Fielden will feature a variety of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments spread across a one-acre lot, totaling about 42,000 square feet. Among these, 52 units are set aside for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness, homeless veterans, or those with disabilities, emphasizing support for vulnerable community members. Its location offers convenient access to the VTA light rail, making it easier for residents to connect with jobs, services, and other parts of the city. Completion is slated for June 2027, promising to add much-needed housing options in a growing urban landscape.

Community Development Partners is exploring a collaboration with local nonprofit Veggielution, which could involve a shared kitchen space in the building to promote community activities around food and farming. This initiative aligns with San Jose's efforts to build smarter and more inclusively, focusing on vertical growth to accommodate more people without sprawling into surrounding natural areas.

Source: SVBJ