San Jose’s Urban Village Vision: 474 New Affordable Homes on South Bascom Avenue

As part of San Jose’s Urban Village plan, a new development promises to transform a sleepy lot into a lively, walkable hub where with easy access to public transportation. The Urban Village plan anchors San Jose’s 2040 Envision Plan, targeting areas like the South Bascom site for a bold shift toward medium to high-density growth. It’s all about crafting neighborhoods where daily life doesn’t hinge on a car.

Crafted by b9 Architects, this project at 1099 South Bascom Avenue will deliver 474 affordable housing units, a major win for accessibility. The design leans hard into sustainable living, offering just 191 parking spaces but a generous 457 bike stalls. It’s a clear nod to a future where pedals outpace pistons. The site, currently home to a Round Table Pizza and a vacant storefront once occupied by Kelly-Moore Paints, will shed its underused past for a vibrant new chapter. The developer is even pursuing a density bonus to pack in more units, amplifying the project’s reach.

This isn’t a standalone effort—San Jose is riding a wave of transformation. Across Santa Clara County, underutilized parcels are morphing into large affordable housing developments, and South Bascom Avenue is a standout in this trend. By embracing the Urban Village model, San Jose is sculpting a city that’s sustainable, dynamic, and open to all.

Source: SF YIMBY

Transforming San Jose: The Future of the Pleasant Hills Site

Near San Jose’s scenic Lake Cunningham lies an extraordinary opportunity: approximately 115 acres of undeveloped land, a remnant of the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course that closed in 2004. As one of the last large untouched parcels in the city, this site at 2050 and 2079 S. White Road is sparking excitement and debate about how it can help shape San Jose’s future. With the city facing a housing crisis and ambitious state goals to build over 62,000 residential units by 2031, two compelling visions have emerged for this rare piece of land, each offering a chance to create something remarkable.

Developer Lakeside Commons LLC, an affiliate of Terrascape Ventures, has put forward a plan to build 1,716 residential units, focusing on single-family homes along the edges and townhomes toward the center, complemented by mixed-use buildings and parks. Managing Principal Mark Lazzarini highlights the thoughtful approach behind their proposal: “This neighborhood is largely single family detached. It’s an older neighborhood. So I think, yes, you can have a step up in density but you still have to be respectful of your surrounding and what really works and fits in this area.” Designed with community input, their plan prioritizes feasibility and respects the character of the surrounding area, aiming for entitlement by year’s end.

Meanwhile, nonprofit Catalyze Silicon Valley is advocating for a bolder vision. Their alternative plan envisions a mix of high and medium-density housing, alongside mixed-use buildings, a plaza, parks, and even an amphitheater. While they haven’t pinned down an exact number of units, their proposal promises significantly more housing than the current plan. “San Jose could get a lot more housing out of the land on this project,” says Jake Wilde, Catalyze SV’s Manager of Development Projects. To ease community concerns, their design includes a “green belt” of park space to buffer the development from nearby single-family neighborhoods, a creative solution to balance growth with local harmony.

The contrast between these proposals reflects the broader challenges and opportunities San Jose faces. In 2023, the city completed just 1,316 residential units—far below what’s needed to meet housing demands. Lakeside Commons emphasizes practicality, with Lazzarini noting, “If a project is not feasible, it’s not going to get built. So, you have to strike that balance.” Catalyze SV, however, sees the Pleasant Hills site as a chance to push boundaries, especially after giving the current plan a low 2.75 out of 5 score in their advocacy review, largely due to its limited density. Their ambitious ideas could maximize the site’s potential and set a new standard for urban development.

What makes this moment so exciting is the promise of transformation. Whether it’s Lakeside Commons’ community-sensitive approach or Catalyze SV’s innovative high-density vision, the Pleasant Hills site could become a vibrant new hub—offering homes, green spaces, and amenities that elevate life in San Jose. It’s a rare chance to address the housing shortage while creating a place that residents can take pride in. As Lazzarini puts it, “This is a rare opportunity. There really aren’t any sites quite like this… It’s an anomaly that it still exists.”

San Jose stands at a crossroads with this project, and the community’s voice will play a key role in its future. Residents have a chance to get involved, share their perspectives, and help craft a development that reflects the city’s values. Stay tuned as this site evolves—it could not only meet today’s needs but also inspire tomorrow’s growth.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose’s Downtown Set for Transformation with Data Center and Housing Projects

San Jose’s Downtown is on the cusp of a transformation that could redefine its landscape and economic future. City officials are enthusiastic about two major projects proposed by Westbank, blending data centers with housing developments to deliver a powerful one-two punch of innovation and growth. The San Jose City Council has taken decisive action, directing building officials to prioritize these initiatives due to their potential to spark economic vitality and inspire further development. This bold move underscores the city’s determination to cement its place as a thriving hub in Silicon Valley.

The financial benefits alone are enough to turn heads. A proposed 99 MW data center could bring in between $3.5 million and $6.4 million in taxes and fees each year, creating a reliable revenue stream for San Jose. But the impact goes beyond dollars and cents—these projects are expected to generate jobs and draw new businesses to Downtown San Jose. Andrew Jacobson from Westbank captured the brilliance of this approach perfectly: “Housing is very challenged in San Jose, but data centers are not. When you couple those together, you have viable projects.” This clever pairing could ease the city’s housing crunch while strengthening its tech backbone.

Sustainability is also a key piece of the puzzle. The projects include plans for a district energy system, which could reduce energy costs for other developers in the area. This isn’t just smart for Westbank’s bottom line—it’s a gift to future Downtown growth. To sweeten the deal, the city has extended economic incentive programs, like the downtown high-rise initiative that waives construction taxes and fees. These efforts show San Jose’s commitment to overcoming market hurdles and keeping the momentum going for bold, forward-thinking development.

Downtown San Jose stands to gain more than just new skyline features. By merging cutting-edge technology with practical housing solutions, the city is laying the groundwork to tackle some of its toughest challenges head-on.

Source: The Mercury News

Jay Paul's CityView Project: Transforming Downtown San Jose into a Vibrant Urban Hub

Downtown San Jose is still buzzing with potential, and Jay Paul Company’s reimagined CityView project is proof that our city is ready to shine. What started as a massive office development has evolved into something even more appropriate for today—a mixed-use community that swaps out some office space for homes, retail, and a modernized workplace. This shift is a game-changer for Downtown San Jose, and it’s hard not to get pumped about what’s coming next.

A Bold Pivot for a Changing City

Back in 2018, Jay Paul Company had big plans for CityView: three 19-story office towers with 3.4 million square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space. They scooped up the bulk of CityView Plaza for $283.5 million, added adjacent properties for $100 million in 2019, and even grabbed the 19-story 50 West San Fernando Street for $238 million. But last year, they hit pause on the original vision, citing “current financial markets and a reduced demand for office leasing.” Now, they’re back with a plan that’s all about meeting San Jose’s real needs.

“Demand for older Class B and C office space at this site has declined, while the need for housing in San Jose continues to grow,” company President Jay Paul told The Real Deal. “Right now, multifamily development is delivering stronger returns than aging office properties, making residential conversion an attractive proposition.” With this new direction, CityView is set to become a lively hub where people can live, work, and play—all in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

The Village at CityView: Homes with Heart

An existing four-building office campus will be transformed into 320 apartments, ranging from cozy studios to spacious three-bedroom units. That’s The Village at CityView, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz. It’s not just about adding housing—it’s about building a community. Residents will enjoy shared green spaces, a 10,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center, and a rooftop pool (my personal favorite amenity in any residential or hotel project today). As the company puts it, these features “enhance downtown San Jose’s appeal as a vibrant place to call home.” Who wouldn’t want to live here?

The Tower at CityView: Reaching New Heights

Then there’s The Tower at CityView, a stunning 27-story luxury apartment building at 121 South Market Street. Also designed by SCB, this phase-two addition will offer 360 units—studios to three-bedroom penthouses—complete with rooftop lounges, outdoor terraces with killer city views, and underground parking. It’s the kind of place that makes you proud to call San Jose home, blending style and convenience in one sleek package.

The Shops at CityView: Retail That Rocks

Downtown San Jose is about to get a lot livelier with The Shops at CityView. This 35,000-square-foot retail and restaurant space, designed by DES architects, will sit at Park Avenue and Almaden Boulevard. It’s a perfect complement to the 15,000 square feet of street-level retail in Jay Paul’s nearby 200 Park building, part of which is earmarked for a flagship dining destination. “Downtown San Jose has made a strong comeback,” Paul said, pointing to better foot traffic and nightlife. “Adding more housing will only strengthen the momentum, supporting a 24/7 economy and bringing even more people to the area.” Get ready for eight new spots to eat, shop, and hang out!

150 Almaden: Office Space, Upgraded

CityView isn’t ditching offices entirely. The 15-story, 204,000-square-foot building at 150 Almaden is getting a major glow-up. Think modern building systems, a revamped lobby, and tenant perks like a conference center and fitness center. With three parking spots per 1,000 square feet, it’s ready to rival suburban office parks while keeping that unbeatable Downtown vibe. That much parking won't make urbanists happy, but it will be the perfect spot for San Jose’s high-tech crowd to innovate and thrive.

San Jose’s Future Is Bright

This project isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. Mayor Matt Mahan sees it as a big win for our city. “People want to live, work and play in the safest big city in the Bay,” he said, calling CityView “groundbreaking” for its ability to help us “reimagine what the capital of Silicon Valley looks and feels like in the age of AI.” With the mayor and city council backing downtown growth—think new investor support, enhanced safety, and faster development processes—CityView is perfectly timed to make waves.

Jay Paul agrees: “We’re long-term owners of the property, and unlike short-term investors or fee-driven developers, our low basis in the property allows us to take a strategic, sustainable approach ensuring solid returns.” That long-term vision means more vibrancy for Downtown San Jose, boosting everything from local businesses to the company’s own properties like 200 Park.

Get Excited for What’s Next

CityView is a chance to help turn Downtown into a place that’s buzzing 24/7. More homes, cool shops, and a modern workspace. That’s the recipe for a city on the rise.

Source: The Real Deal

Massive North San Jose housing project advances

There aren't many large swaths of land left in Silicon Valley, but a few still remain in San Jose. The Sakauye and Karolewski families had one of those large blocks and have just sold 22 acres of prime land in North San Jose for $78.6 million. The land is at 2620 Seely Avenue, right off of Montague Expressway next to Cadence's headquarters.

The former orchard will become a whopping 1,472 homes. The breakdown will be 154 townhomes (by SummerHill Homes), 178 affordable units, 1,140 apartments, 19,000 SQFT of neighborhood retail, and a 2.5-acre city park. A farm site will also be preserved and moved to History Park.

There is no official ETA yet, but it can't come soon enough.

Source: The Mercury News

Transit-oriented developments in San Jose

TODGod posted a video earlier this month highlighting all of the TODs (transit oriented developments) in San Jose. He goes though the VTA Light Rail network station-by-station in the first 7 minutes in the video embedded below. There are more projects than I expected, and hopefully it will make a notable impact in the coming years.

Source: TODGod on Youtube

Caltrain's double tower project in Downtown San Jose moves forward

Caltrain is planning to partner with a developer to build a 15-story and 16-story tower on 3 acres right in front of Diridon station in Downtown San Jose. To goal would be to help kickstart other projects and transit ridership in the area.

The project would come in at 1.1 million SQFT of commercial space--yes commercial and not residential. Most developers today are switching to residential as quickly as possible given the state of the commercial markets, but it sounds like Caltrain is taking a bold long-term perspective on this investment.

The development would also blend in retail and entertainment venues as well as a once acre publicly accessibly open space and plaza. Ironically, four levels of underground parking for 792 spaces would also be built as part of this transit-oriented-development.

Currently there is no ETA for when construction would begin but San Jose has just approved the required permits. The ball is in Caltrain's court.

Source: The Mercury News

Three-tower housing project proposed for Downtown San Jose

Westbank and Urban Community are working on a stunning 1,147 unit project that would span a trio of towers. This is the most exciting proposal I have seen in some time for Downtown San Jose.

Each tower would rise 30 stories or roughly 300 feet. Two of the towers would have terraces featuring small trees and plants. The third tower would by a cylinder, a shape no other San Jose high-rise utilizes. The combination of the three look fantastic.

The site of this proposal is the Valley Title lot at 300 South First Street and 345 South Second Street in SoFA. Currently the site consists of a parking lot, a public art project that can hopefully be moved, and a three-story building.

The project would also include a generous 18,400 SQFT of retail and 8,700 SQFT of residential amenities such as a courtyard and gym. Based on the renders, it looks like they are planning for one of my favorite amenities--rooftop swimming pools.

As exciting as this is already, Westbank and Urban Community also have an option to add two more 20-story office towers with a combined 1.32 million SQFT of office space and 60,4000 SQFT of ground-floor retail.

There is currently no planned timeline. The next steps are getting city approval for the proposal, which I'm optimistic will come quickly.

Source: The Mercury News

San Jose's Hotel De Anza is getting major upgrades

San Jose's historic Hotel De Anza was recently purchased by 233 W Santa Clara LLC. The hotel was built 93 years ago and has 100 rooms in the 10-story building.

The exciting news is that major upgrades are planned, including adding fine dining and a full-service bar. It will also transition from being a Hyatt to a high-end independent boutique hotel. The partnership with Hyatt already ended on October 29th.

Hopefully we'll have details soon on the new dining options and planned renovations. The last upscale dining option in the hotel was La Pastia, which closed several years ago.

Source: SVBJ

Bascom Station has started leasing

Bascom Station appears to have started leasing their apartments. This is a 590 apartment project in an 8-story building. It's located right next to the Bascom VTA Light Rail station at 1350 S. Bascom Avenue. There are also several retail pads on the ground floor available for lease and a 200,000 SQFT office building next door that is still under construction.

This is a great example of a mixed-use infill project near transit. Previously this area just had 76,894 SQFT of commercial space.

Source: RebecaG from Skyscraper City 

African American Cultural Center with housing proposed in San Jose

The African American Cultural Center is being proposed at 2001 The Alameda, right before San Jose turns into Santa Clara as you head away from Downtown San Jose. The project raised $3 million in funds August last year and another $4.1 million in federal funding this March. In total they have already raised $30 million.

The center is designed to serve as a hub for education, music, theater, dance, science, athletics, and business. The building itself will have meeting halls, banquet facilities, youth development facilities, a library, museum gallery, senior and youth programs, child care, a theatre, and even some retail.

Now there is also a major housing component to this project as well. EAH Housing is planning to build about 150 units, 135 of which would be affordable. 12 to 15 of the units would be for-sale condos. EAH Housing is a nonprofit that has already developed 107 properties and 8,700 residential units.

There is no ETA as a bit more fundraising needs to be completed, but this looks like a great mixed-use project for San Jose.

Source: SiliconValley.com

Blossom Hill housing project moves forward

A parking lot at the Blossom Hill VTA station is getting one step closer to becoming a 328 home project. The six-story building will have 239 market-rate homes and 14,000 SQFT of retail on the ground floor. A five-story building across the street will have 89 affordable housing units. The project would also create a new transit plaza for South San Jose VTA riders and a walking/biking trail along Canoas Creek.

While the project was approved in 2022, not a lot has happened. The affordable housing component just received a $5.5 million boost from the government.

In a best-case scenario, the affordable housing piece will start construction in the summer of 2025 with the market rate portion to follow.

Source: SVBJ

New Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center

A greatly improved Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center is being proposed for 250 Hospital Parkway. The project would involve the demo of the existing 250,000 SQFT hospital and building a significantly larger 685,000 SQFT facility along with a 35,000 SQFT energy and service yard.

The new hospital would have 303 beds, up 56 from the current hospital, as well as multiple medical office buildings. The old hospital would only be demolished after the new one is complete.

Improved medical facilities would obviously be a big win for San Jose residents. Hopefully this can be completed as soon as possible.

Source: SF YIMBY

400 foot tall Willow Park project wants to blast through approvals

While not in San Jose or even Santa Clara County, this project is so insane it is worth mentioning. A Bay Area-based developer called Development N17 submitted an application with the city of Menlo Park for a mixed-use project with a 665 units of housing, a 130-room hotel, 324,000 SQFT of office space, 4.9 acres of open space and parks, and a Montessori school. All of this is planned on just 6.7 acres of land.

The tallest building in the complex would be 431 feet high while other buildings would stand 367 feet and 271 feet tall. This would easily be the tallest project between San Francisco and Los Angeles, with it's flagship building standing over 130 feet taller than anything in San Jose.

Willow Park would replace single-story office building from 1951.

The developer is seeking expedited approval and want to start building as soon as possible. 133 units are allocated for affordable housing, which allows them to use an entitlement process known as "builders remedy" which prohibits the city from denying housing developments if the city does not have an approved plan for meeting their housing requirements (which Menlo Park does not).

I really wish this proposal was for San Jose, but I'm optimistic this will have local developers taking bigger bets like this one for the Capital of Silicon Valley.

Source: SVBJ

Wednesday Wishlist: Universal Studios San Jose?

I haven't done a proper Wednesday Wishlist post in years, but I saw something in the Catalyze SV newsletter that got me thinking. The Pleasant Hills Golf Course in East San Jose has sat vacant for ages--114 acres of prime space rotting away unused. Catalyze SV has several prudent suggestions for what this space can be utilized for such as affordable housing and open space. However, I wanted to throw out a wild idea.

San Jose has been doing more than it's fair share of adding housing in Silicon Valley and is one of two cities in the South Bay that is not resistant to building high-rise housing. There is plenty of space and opportunity for infill housing throughout San Jose, but it is extremely rare to have this much contiguous space anywhere.

So my crazy idea is to utilize the space for large-scale entertainment. It was a golf course in the past, why not a theme park?

Great America is shutting down to build housing in a matter of years and we almost lost Raging Waters this year--which is already only a seasonal park. Side note that Raging Waters is being renamed to CalBunga Waterpark and is right next door to this vacant land. One of the biggest criticisms of the San Jose area is lack of things to do... so why not use this space for fun and entertainment.

You might be thinking that this couldn't possibly be enough land for a legitimate theme park. However, it is more than enough. You can see it's size in relation to CalBunga and Cunningham Lake above. 

Again, this is 114 acres. Universal Studios has just proposed a new theme park resort concept in Waco, Texas that is oriented for kids under 13-years old. Think of it as the next step above Happy Hollow. It's being built right in the middle of a residential area and is oriented in a way where most of the rides are indoors and the buildings themselves will minimize noise travelling outside the park. 

The entire space including a hotel, surface-level guest parking, employee parking, and room for expansion comes out to be 97 acres.

Okay, but what about a theme park for everyone including adults and teens? One of the most efficiently laid out theme parks I have been to is Universal Studios Singapore. It features a dozen major attractions for all ages, is beautifully themed, and has multiple hotels connected to the property. The park itself is only 62 acres. They also have an aquarium, casino, and other attractions that would all fit within the envelope of this space.

It seems like Universal Studios is now taking some risks and is aggressively expanding. They are building one of the largest and most immersive parks in Florida, have a new concept coming to Las Vegas, and are pushing for a new park in the London area. Building something in the affluent Silicon Valley area could be an interesting opportunity. Any hotels could also serve a dual or triple purpose to support conventions and business travel. This area is only a 12 minute drive away from Downtown San Jose and the San Jose Convention Center.

This is obviously a long shot, but I've seen stranger ideas come to life!

VTA abandons eminent domain plans that would have derailed a high-rise project

Given the likelihood of more delays and cost overruns, VTA wisely dropped plans to drop eminent domain proceedings for a prime site near the Downtown San Jose BART station. The land they were trying to forcefully acquire is between 17 and 31 East Santa Clara Street.

Proposed for this site is the Eterna Tower, a 26-story residential high-rise with 200 residences in a very central part of Downtown San Jose. Unfortunately this project is still at risk as the capital market landscape greatly changed since the tower was first proposed and delayed by the VTA's actions.

At this point, there is so much risk in the BART project that large parcels of prime land should not be held hostage for something that is at best 14 years away. There are plenty of options for subway entrances and exits throughout Santa Clara Street.

Source: The Mercury News

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

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